By Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul

Now that the income tax filing deadline has passed, we thought it would be a good time to remind residents that they should file their application for New Jersey’s property tax relief programs, ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ.

We are proud to have sponsored legislation, along with our Legislative District 11 partner, Senator Vin Gopal, that enabled the successful launch of New Jersey’s first combined property tax relief application last year. The availability of New Jersey’s property tax relief payments is subject to State Budget appropriations. We are continuing to push for the state to fully fund these programs in the FY2027 budget. The tax relief you are applying for now is for your property taxes paid in 2025.

Filling out a single PAS-1 application, either online or on paper, streamlines the application process. If you need help with your application, our Constituent Services Team is assisting residents with PAS-1 Workshops around the district. 

The ANCHOR program is open to all residents, homeowners and renters, who meet the income and residence requirements, regardless of their age. Seniors aged 65 and older, disabled homeowners and mobile homeowners may also be eligible for Senior Freeze and Stay NJ property tax relief benefits. Senior Freeze is also open to those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and Railroad Retirement Disability. When residents complete the PAS-1 application, they will be considered for all of the programs for which they meet the eligibility requirements.

The current online application for the 2025 tax year is now live at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov. You will also find links on this page to see income requirements, determine your eligibility, and see how each program works. You may also call our office and we will mail an application booklet with instructions to you. 

We encourage taxpayers to apply now, as the state will begin distributing benefits in summer of this year. The Division of Taxation expects to distribute the Senior Freeze portion of benefits in July 2026; ANCHOR benefits in September 2026; and Stay NJ payments starting in February 2027. The deadline to complete the PAS-1 is November 2, 2026. But applying early can result in getting Senior Freeze payments sooner.

Our Constituent Services Team will take the LD11 office on the road to hold PAS-1 Workshops at the Long Branch Senior Center, Tuesday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to noon; at the Neptune City Community Center, at 117 3rd Ave., on Friday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; at the Neptune Township Senior Center, Tuesday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; at the Asbury Park Senior Center, on Thursday, May 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and in Ocean Township at the Monmouth County Library - Ocean Township Branch, on Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you cannot make one of these workshops, you may also get help from our LD11 Team during Mobile Office Hour visits throughout LD11 in the coming month. We are offering Mobile Office Hours today at Freehold Public Library, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at the Freehold Township Senior Center, on Monday, May 11, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and at the Monmouth County Library - Eastern Branch, in Shrewsbury, Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at the Red Bank Senior Center, Wednesday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Information on additional MOHs and PAS-1 Workshops will be listed under “Events” on our blog, donlonpeterpaul.com, as they are scheduled. Or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/DonlonPeterpaul/.

Our LD11 office is here to help and you may call (732) 704-3808 for assistance applying for property tax relief.