— News Release 9/3/13 —

19th DISTRICT — Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski is reaching out to senior citizens and disabled residents to remind them of the September 16th deadline for 2012 property tax reimbursement applications under New Jersey’s “Senior Freeze” property tax relief program. The “Senior Freeze” program reimburses eligible participants for property tax increases that occur once they are successfully registered with the program.

“The Senior Freeze program provides seniors and disabled homeowners with relief from ever escalating property taxes,” said Assemblyman Wisniewski. “For many participants, the assistance provided by the program allows them to stay in their home rather than having to sell it.”

Each year, the New Jersey Division of Taxation automatically mails applications for the Senior Freeze program’s property tax reimbursement to residents who may be eligible to participate in the program. Many eligible participants, however, may not have received the paperwork and will have to obtain the program’s forms in time to file the application by the program deadline.

To be eligible for the Senior Freeze program, applicants must have been 65 years or older by December 31, 2011 OR have been receiving federal Social Security disability benefits as of December 31, 2011 AND December 31, 2012.

For property tax reimbursement eligibility in 2013, applicants must also meet all these additional requirements:

• Have lived in New Jersey continuously since December 31, 2001, either as a homeowner or renter;

• Have owned and lived in your home, or leased a site in a mobile home park for a manufactured or mobile home that you own, since December 31, 2008;

• Paid the full amount of the 2011 property taxes due on your home by June 1, 2012 and paid all 2012 property taxes by June 1, 2013; and

• Have total annual income for 2011 of no more than $80,000 and for 2012, no more than $70,000.

With rare exceptions, all income is taken into account in determining program eligibility including Social Security and pension benefits. Each year, income limits for the program are also subject to change as a result of the annual state budget.

Residents whose 2012 income was between $70,000 and $82,880 and who meet all other eligibility requirements are also encouraged to file a “Senior Freeze” application by the September 16th deadline. While they will not be eligible for any property tax relief this year, by filing a 2012 application they will establish a baseline for their property taxes upon which any future property tax relief payments will be based.

“I encourage eligible residents who have not received their forms or who are applying for the first time to contact my office to secure the needed paperwork as soon as possible,” said Assemblyman Wisniewski. “My office is also available to answer residents’ questions about eligibility and how to provide assistance in filing the necessary forms.”

Assemblyman John Wisniewski represents New Jersey’s 19th Legislative District, which includes the Middlesex County towns of Carteret, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy and Woodbridge. His office is located at 132 Main Street in Sayreville and can be reached by calling (732) 432-8460.