GREEN AND STENDER URGE RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS BEFORE OCT. 31 DEADLINE

(22nd District) - Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green and Assemblywoman Linda Stender on Wednesday reminded senior citizens and homeowners that they have until the end of the month to apply for the state's Homestead Benefit and Senior Freeze property tax relief programs.

"For New Jersey families who are facing unemployment, underemployment or are operating on a fixed income, the task of making ends meet every month may seem increasingly daunting," said Green (D-Union/Somerset/Middlesex).  "Fortunately, programs like the Homestead Benefit and the Senior Freeze can help take some of the pressure off, but to receive the benefit, homeowners must apply."

The final deadline for applying for the Homestead Benefit and the Senior Freeze property tax relief program is Monday, October 31.  The Senior Freeze program was fully restored under the Democratic budget (approved earlier this year).

"The Homestead Benefit and the Senior Freeze program exist to help residents bear the burden of our state's high property taxes," said Stender (D-Union/Somerset/Middlesex).  "Even if a homeowner hasn't qualified in the past, we're encouraging them to apply again, before the end of the month deadline, so that they have every opportunity to receive property tax relief."

The average Senior Freeze check is approximately $1,200, and because of the Democratic budget, more than 50,000 additional seniors will receive Senior Freeze checks than would have under the Christie proposal, which would have reduced the program by $25 million, would not have allowed new seniors to enter the program and would have seen seniors reimbursed at the level of benefit received in FY 2010, regardless of the property tax increase incurred since 2008.

To be eligible for the Senior Freeze Program a person must be over the age of 65, have lived in New Jersey for at least 10 years and earned less than $70,000 for both calendar years 2009 and 2010.  Eligible homeowners may apply online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ until Oct. 31, or by phone (1-877-658-2972) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Applicants can call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-822-6597 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to request an application, speak to a taxation representative for assistance and get information on the status of their reimbursement checks if they have already filed.

To be eligible for the Homestead Benefit Program a person must have owned and occupied their home since at least October 1, 2010.  In addition, during calendar year 2010, applicants under the age of 65 cannot have made more than $75,000 and applicants over the age of 65 cannot have made more than $150,000.  For an application or assistance, residents can call the Homestead Benefit Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.