Help With ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Applications Offered In Ocean Co.

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Ocean County residents can get help filling out New Jersey's new ANCHOR property tax relief program application, county officials said.

The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Program application deadline is Dec. 30. ANCHOR benefits will be paid by the state starting in the late spring of 2023. The ANCHOR replaces the Homestead Benefit program.

The county's Office of Senior Services is ready to provide assistance completing the paperwork for the program, which provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who owned or rented their principal residence on Oct. 1, 2019, and who met certain income limits, officials said.

Help is available at the County Connection at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River; at 1027 Hooper Ave., Building 2 in Toms River, and the Ocean County Southern Service Center, 179 South Main St., Manahawkin. Seniors can also call the office at 732-929-2091.

"While this program is open to property owners and renters of all ages, we want to make sure our seniors are not confused by this new program with any other property relief benefit like the Senior Freeze Program they may be receiving," Commissioner Joseph Vicari said. "We are prepared to answer their questions."

He also cautioned residents not to throw out the application when it comes in the mail thinking it might be an advertisement.

According to the state, homeowners with incomes of $150,000 or less will receive $1,500 under this program; homeowners with incomes of more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000 and renters with incomes of $150,000 or less will receive $450 under the program.

Eligible homeowners can apply online, by phone or upload or mail a paper application and necessary attachments using the state’s electronic filing systems. Renters have all the same options to apply, except for by phone.

The state has set up an ANCHOR hotline for assistance: 1-888-238-1233.

"With 200,000 seniors calling Ocean County home, many are on fixed incomes including just Social Security. We want to make certain they apply for all property tax relief programs available to them," said John Kelly, director of the county's Board of Commissioners.

The office staff can help with information but the application must be filled out by the homeowner or renter.