05 Jul What’s happening with Stay NJ benefits? Am I getting less?

Q. I see the 2026 budget was signed with reduced tax benefits for seniors. I don’t like it but I get it. So how is it going to work? I think we are getting two more payments from before the changes.
— Unhappy taxpayer

A. Lots of people don’t like it.

Here’s how it will work.

First, the current benefit year for Stay NJ is changing. It’s something we weren’t expecting to happen.

You’ve already received two quarterly payments for the 2024 benefit year. You were expecting two more for the same amount— one in August and then another in November.

You will still get two more benefits, but they’re cut in half. If you received a quarterly check for $200 in the first two quarters, the second two quarters will now add up to that amount. You’ll get a $100 check in August and then $100 in November.

That means no one will be getting the maximum benefit of $6,500 originally promised. Now, $4,875 will be the maximum benefits.

For the 2025 benefit year, it changes again. The income eligibility is dropping from $500,000 to $200,000, and the maximum benefit, for most people, is going down.

Senior citizens who earn $100,000 or less would receive the maximum benefit of $6,500 or 50% of your property tax bill. But anyone who earns more will get less.

Those who earn between $100,000 and just under $150,000 will get a maximum of $5,000 or 50% of their property tax bill, and seniors with income between $150,000 and $200,000 will have a maximum benefit of $4,000 or 50% of their property tax bill

Senior homeowners are also losing the $250 bonus ANCHOR payment.

Democrats, who run the Legislature and have the governor’s seat, say the changes are needed to sustain the benefit for the majority over the long term while making sure those who earn less — and therefore need the relief the most — will still get the maximum under the plan.

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This story was originally published in July 2026. 

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