Message from Councilmember Ellen Zimmerman | October 17, 2025
Helping keep Scotch Plains an affordable place for all our residents to live, raise families and retire is always a top priority.
This is why I’m pleased to share about an upcoming event in Scotch Plains designed to help our senior residents and individuals with disabilities apply for three valuable property tax relief programs offered in New Jersey.
On Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 6 p.m., senior homeowners and renters ages 65 and over, as well as those receiving federal Social Security disability benefits, are invited to a Property Tax Relief Filing Assistance Event at the historic Shady Rest Clubhouse, 820 Jerusalem Rd. Thank you to our state legislators and county commissioners for offering this program.
The event will provide one-on-one help with filing your 2024 property tax relief applications, including both electronic and paper submissions. Representatives will be available on-site to walk you through the process and ensure that all necessary paperwork is properly completed.
Front and center will be the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ programs, which collectively mark the largest property tax relief initiative in the state’s history. This event is a great opportunity to learn more about them and confirm your eligibility.
Conveniently, all three programs can be applied to with one form, which can be accessed here. I want to emphasize that the application deadline for all three is October 31, so it is crucial to determine your eligibility and apply as soon as possible.
- The Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement Program) is designed for homeowners born before 1959 or permanently disabled residents receiving Social Security disability benefits. This program reimburses qualifying homeowners for increases in property taxes year over year, helping to “freeze” taxes at a manageable level. To qualify, you must have lived in and paid property taxes on your home for both 2023 and 2024, with income limits of $163,050 for 2023 and $168,268 for 2024.
- The ANCHOR Program (Affordable NJ Communities for Homeowners and Renters) provides direct property tax relief to homeowners earning $250,000 or less and renters earning $150,000 or less. It’s a valuable resource for both groups, offering tangible savings that can help offset New Jersey’s high cost of living.
- The Stay NJ Program, one of the state’s newest initiatives, was created to significantly reduce property taxes for senior homeowners. To qualify, residents must be 65 or older in 2024 and have an income under $500,000. Stay NJ benefits can cover up to 50% of your remaining property taxes after applying other credits such as Senior Freeze and ANCHOR.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, I strongly encourage you to attend this free event on Oct. 29. It’s an excellent way to get personalized guidance and make sure you receive every benefit available.
To RSVP or learn more, please contact
