New Jersey begins first Stay NJ payments, sending checks to eligible seniors and disabled residents
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey has begun distributing the first round of benefits under Stay NJ, the state’s newest property tax relief program for eligible seniors and residents with disabilities, state officials announced.
The Treasury Department’s Division of Taxation has started mailing paper checks to an estimated 430,000 qualifying taxpayers who applied during the program’s inaugural season through the PAS-1 combined application for Stay NJ, ANCHOR and Senior Freeze.
Stay NJ benefits are issued in quarterly, equal installments rather than as a lump sum. The average payment for the first installment is $637, with a second quarterly payment scheduled to be mailed in mid-May. Benefit amounts are calculated using a formula based on a taxpayer’s property tax bill and eligibility for the state’s other property tax relief programs.
Eligible applicants received explanatory letters in fall 2025 detailing the benefits they qualified for under each program. Depending on income and other criteria, applicants may have been eligible for one, two or all three programs. Senior Freeze benefits were paid in summer 2025, while ANCHOR payments were distributed in fall 2025.
While eligible taxpayers are now receiving Stay NJ payments for the 2024 tax year, the filing season for tax year 2025 is currently underway. Seniors and disabled residents who qualify can apply using the PAS-1 combined application at propertytaxreliefapp.nj.gov. The deadline to apply is Nov. 2, 2026. State officials noted that the availability of property tax relief programs is subject to state budget appropriations.
For those applying for tax year 2025, benefits will be distributed on the program’s standard schedule beginning in summer 2026. The Division of Taxation expects to issue Senior Freeze benefits in July 2026, ANCHOR payments in September 2026 and Stay NJ payments in February 2027.
Taxpayers seeking assistance can visit one of the Division of Taxation’s regional information centers for in-person help, schedule a telephone appointment with a representative, or use the division’s online chatbot for general Stay NJ questions. Additional information, including benefit status and frequently asked questions, is available at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov. Assistance is also available through the Property Tax Relief Hotline at 1-888-238-1233.
