Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) announced the Assembly passed a bill he supported that would increase income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program to $29,000 over five years (A.6590-A).

“As the cost-of-living rises, it is important to adjust the income eligibility level for senior citizens in the SCRIE program so that they can continue living in their homes and communities,” said Hevesi.

To be eligible for SCRIE, a person must be 62 years of age or older and live in a rent controlled, regulated or stabilized apartment where the monthly rent exceeds one-third of his or her monthly household income.

The income eligibility level will increase in $1,000 increments over five years from $24,000 to:

• $25,000 on July 1, 2005;
• $26,000 on July 1, 2006;
• $27,000 on July 1, 2007;
• $28,000 on July 1, 2008; and finally,
• $29,000 on July 1, 2009.

“The Assembly’s bill alleviates the fear that senior citizens will no longer qualify for the SCRIE program because of cost-of-living increases granted by their pensions and social security benefits,” Hevesi said. “With this bill, senior citizens will not be forced to live in a home they can barely afford, which stretches their budgets to the maximum and, ultimately, reduces their quality of life.”

For more information or to apply for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, go online to http://home.nyc.gov/html/dfta/html/16benefits.html#scrie or call 311 in NYC for more information.