Still Waiting for Your NJ ANCHOR Payment? Here’s What’s Really Going On

The ANCHOR Program stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters. It’s a property-tax relief program run by the New Jersey Division of Taxation to help residents who own or rent their principal residence in New Jersey and meet certain income and residency requirements.

Get our free mobile app

If you’re a homeowner or renter in the state, have your primary residence here, and your income stays under a certain threshold, this program could mean a direct payment rebate.

According to NJ.gov, payments began rolling out around September 15, and many applicants receive their payment within about 90 days of filing.

Why Haven't I Received my ANCHOR Payment Yet?

There are a few common reasons:

• Your application hasn’t been processed yet. Payments are rolling, not all at once.
• Your information changed (address, bank account, status), and you need to update it. The state noted that folks who needed to change their bank or address or request a paper check had to file by a cut-off.
• You’re 65 or older or on Social Security disability, and you didn’t file the required combined form (Form PAS-1) yourself. According to the rules, the state will not auto‐file for seniors or disability recipients; they must complete the PAS-1 online or on paper.
• You may not meet eligibility requirements (income exceeded, property not qualified, wrong residence criteria). The eligibility page outlines what properties count and what income limits apply.

What Should I Do If I Haven't Received My ANCHOR Payment Yet

Here are the steps to take:

1. Check your eligibility: Go back and make sure you owned or rented your principal residence in NJ on the reference date and your income fell below the threshold.
2. Check your application status: If you filed already (or were auto-filed) but have not gotten a check or direct deposit, visit the ANCHOR website to check your status or contact the Division of Taxation at 1-888-238-1233 or 609-826-4282.
3. Update your info if needed: If you changed your address, bank account, or want paper instead of direct deposit, ensure the Division has the correct information. Note: There was a September 15 deadline for some of these updates for the 2025 cycle.
4. File the correct form if required: If you are age 65+ or on Social Security disability, and you never filed the PAS-1 form, you should do so (online or paper) because the state will not auto-file for you.
5. Allow time: Since payments run on a rolling basis, delays are common. Many folks are getting payments within 90 days of filing, but some may wait longer if additional review is needed.

For additional resources, click here.