AWCA Resource Center
AWCA Resource Center

Housing

Stay NJ Program

Stay NJ is a groundbreaking property tax relief program introduced to help New Jersey seniors remain in their cherished homes despite high tax burdens. Stay NJ operates as a separate benefit program alongside ANCHOR and Senior Freeze, and it is designed so that the combined benefits of all three programs reach 50% of property taxes (up to a maximum of $6,500).

Benefit Calculation

  • A benefit equivalent to 50% of the property taxes paid will be provided.
  • Based on a maximum annual property tax of $13,000, the benefit is 50% of the property taxes paid, subject to the following maximum Stay NJ benefits for the 2025 tax year by annual gross income: $100,000 or less: $6,500; $100,000.01–$150,000: $5,000; $150,000.01–$200,000: $4,000; over $200,000: $0.
  • Calculation Method: Stay NJ benefits are not issued in isolation. Instead, the total amounts from ANCHOR and Senior Freeze are calculated first, and Stay NJ covers the remaining balance to reach the 50% threshold. *Example: Property tax $10,000 → Target benefit $5,000. If you receive $1,750 from ANCHOR and $500 from Senior Freeze (totaling $2,250), Stay NJ will provide an additional $2,750.

Eligibility

  • Age: Individuals who are 65 years of age or older as of the application year (Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients are not eligible for Stay NJ. Eligibility for Senior Freeze and ANCHOR may be reviewed separately).
  • Income: Annual Gross Income of $200,000 or less (2025 tax year).
  • Homeownership:
    • You must have resided in your own home in New Jersey for the entire period from January 1 to December 31 of the applicable tax year. However, if you moved within New Jersey during that same year, you are required to complete a separate Schedule.
    • Mobile home owners are not eligible for Stay NJ. However, Senior Freeze includes mobile homes, and ANCHOR treats mobile home owners as “tenants,” allowing for a separate application.
  • Immigration Status: If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax filing, your immigration status does not matter.

How to Apply

  • First-Time Applicants: Submit information regarding your income and property taxes for the current and previous years through the PAS-1 integrated application. (Income data from two years is used for the Senior Freeze eligibility review).
  • Returning Applicants: You must apply for Stay NJ manually each year through the PAS-1 integrated application. There is no automatic application or automatic mailing of benefits. You must file online or by mail every year to have your eligibility reviewed for Stay NJ along with other senior benefits (ANCHOR and Senior Freeze).
  • Application Deadline: November 2, 2026.

Disbursement Methods

  • Stay NJ benefits are distributed in equal quarterly installments (February, May, August, and November).
  • Online applicants may choose Direct Deposit for certain benefits (primarily ANCHOR). Those who submit paper applications will receive all benefits via check.
  • Quarterly schedules are announced annually based on the State budget and the time of application.

Contact

  • Stay NJ & Integrated Application Hotline: 1-888-238-1233
  • NJ Division of Taxation Main Line: 1-609-292-6400
  • AWCA provides counseling free of charge (201-862-1665 / info@awcanj.org)

Resources

Resources

Housing