Attention all New Jersey homeowners: Your property tax relief is on the way! Starting next Monday, February 9, the state will begin mailing out Stay NJ property tax benefit checks, according to the Treasury Department. But here's the part most people miss: unlike the ANCHOR program, these payments will arrive exclusively by paper check, not direct deposit. And this is where it gets a bit tricky—not everyone will find their check in the mailbox at the same time. The state plans to distribute payments on a rolling basis, meaning it could take several weeks or even longer for all eligible homeowners to receive their benefits.
Why does this matter? Well, for starters, the Stay NJ program is designed to work alongside ANCHOR and Senior Freeze to slash property taxes in half, up to a cap of $6,500, for eligible homeowners aged 65 and older or those receiving Social Security disability benefits. The income threshold for eligibility is set at $500,000. If your combined ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits fall short of halving your property tax bill (within that $6,500 cap), Stay NJ steps in to cover the difference. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this layered approach to tax relief truly effective, or does it just add complexity for homeowners already grappling with high property taxes? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
According to the Treasury Department, approximately 438,000 homeowners are approved to receive the first installment of Stay NJ, with an average payment of $639. To check your benefit status, visit the Treasury website at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/staynj and look for the prominent blue box labeled “Check Benefit Status.” This tool will tell you whether your benefit is still processing or has been approved. If approved, you’ll also see the installment amount, expected payment date, and whether you qualify for additional programs like ANCHOR or Senior Freeze.
And this is the part most people miss: If you haven’t received a ‘determination letter’ outlining your benefits under ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ, don’t panic. You can use our Stay NJ calculator (linked below) to estimate your benefits. Still have questions? Call the state’s hotline at (888) 238-1233 or visit a regional help center for in-person assistance. Appointments are optional but can be scheduled via the state website.
Thought-provoking question: With multiple programs like ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and now Stay NJ, is New Jersey’s approach to property tax relief a model for other states, or does it create unnecessary confusion? Share your opinion below!
MORE: Stay NJ property tax benefits are coming next week, state says (https://www.nj.com/news/2026/02/stay-nj-property-tax-benefits-to-be-mailed-next-week-state-says.html)
MORE: They said he didn’t qualify for $5K Stay NJ property tax break. But they were wrong. (https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/01/they-said-he-didnt-qualify-for-5k-property-tax-break-but-they-were-wrong.html)
MORE: N.J. paid $1.78B in ANCHOR benefits. Here’s what to do if you’re still waiting. (https://www.nj.com/news/2025/12/nj-paid-178b-in-anchor-benefits-heres-what-to-do-if-youre-still-waiting.html)
MORE: How much will my Stay NJ property tax benefit be? Use our new calculator to find out. (https://www.nj.com/business/2025/06/how-much-money-will-i-get-from-stay-nj-property-tax-break-use-our-calculator-to-find-out.html)
