Assemblywoman Stanfield bill aims to expand Senior Freeze benefits

New legislation would make thousands more seniors eligible to collect property tax relief
TRENTON – Assemblywoman Jean Stanfield will introduce legislation to allow more seniors to
collect one of the most popular tax relief credits in New Jersey.

The bill would bring the residency requirement for the Senior Freeze from ten years down to
three, which would make thousands of more seniors eligible for the benefit.

“As a senior who helps look after my grandchildren and great grandchildren, I know how hard it
is to financially stay above water in this state because of its sky-high property taxes,” Stanfield
said.

“It would devastate me to have to move away from my family, and I know it would do the same
to thousands of other seniors. As state legislators, we need to do everything we can to expand
property tax relief programs and show residents we’re serious about solving the property tax
crisis,” she continued.

The Senior Freeze allows New Jersey residents to keep their property taxes stable by receiving
a credit any time they go up. Currently, it is available for seniors and people with disabilities with
a total household income less than $92,969. However, it is only available for residents who’ve
owned a home for at least three years and have lived in the state for at least 10 years.
Under the assemblywoman’s bill, seniors would only need to be residents of New Jersey for
three years in order to be eligible.

“We need to make New Jersey senior friendly. We are practically forcing seniors out of the state
with our highest-in-the-nation property taxes. I believe expanding the Senior Freeze will not only
keep more seniors in state, but also attract ones from out of state,” Stanfield said. “Delivering
property tax relief should be the top priority of every elected official in New Jersey.”