Jersey City has officially launched their “Senior Freeze” campaign, where city officials will actively work to get eligible residents signed up for New Jersey’s Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
“For seniors on fixed incomes, the increasing cost of living is a threat to the life they’ve built in Jersey City,” Mayor James Solomon said in a statement.
“Fortunately, the State of New Jersey offers real relief and stability through the Senior Freeze program, and we are going to make sure every eligible Jersey City senior has a chance to apply. We’re going to meet our seniors where they are – at community events, at town halls, and at their front doors – to make sure no eligible resident misses out.”
The Senior Freeze program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax increases on their principal residence – effectively “freezing” their property taxes at a base-year level.
Despite the significant savings available, Solomon said many eligible residents never apply, leaving money on the table year after year.
Throughout the campaign, the city will conduct door-to-door canvassing to reach senior residents directly in their neighborhoods.
During this effort, the Resident Response Center will be staffed with information and assistance to help seniors understand their eligibility and complete their applications.
The campaign will bring information to community events across the city, with city staff on hand to answer questions. In addition, the city will host informational town halls featuring onsite signup assistance, so seniors can complete their applications in a single visit.
The information will also be provided in multiple languages because “America’s most diverse city” must be able to speak multiple languages with its residents, according to Solomon.
This year, applying is easier than ever, he added.
The Senior Freeze application is now part of a single combined application covering all of New Jersey’s property tax relief programs for homeowners and renters.
This allows applicants to claim benefits from Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and the new Stay NJ program at once. Eligibility for the Senior Freeze program is based on residency, income, and age as of 2024 and 2025.
The mayor’s office added that the city will release additional campaign details, including town hall dates, event locations, and canvassing schedules, and ramp up outreach in the months leading up to the November 2nd application deadline.
In the interim, seniors seeking assistance can contact the Resident Response Center at phone (201) 547-4900 or visit the State’s Senior Freeze page at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/ptr for eligibility requirements and program details.
