JERSEY CITY, NJ —
June 18, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
City launches ‘Senior Freeze’ campaign to assist eligible residents with state reimbursement program
Let’s say you’re a senior on a fixed income. You’ve lived in your Jersey City home for decades. The neighborhood has changed, but your property taxes? They’ve only gone up. That’s the reality for many older residents — and it’s why the city launched a new campaign this week.
What’s Happening
Mayor James Solomon’s office announced the “Senior Freeze” initiative, a push to get eligible seniors and disabled residents signed up for New Jersey’s Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement program. The program reimburses participants for property tax increases on their primary home, effectively freezing their taxes at a base-year level. But here’s the catch: many who qualify never apply.
“For seniors on fixed incomes, the increasing cost of living is a threat to the life they’ve built in Jersey City,” 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.”
The Background
New Jersey’s Senior Freeze program has been around for years, but application rates remain low. The program reimburses eligible homeowners for property tax increases after they turn 65 or become permanently disabled. To qualify, you need to have lived in New Jersey for at least 10 years and meet income limits set by the state.
The city says many residents simply don’t know about the program or find the application process confusing. “We’re going to meet our seniors where they are – at community events, at town halls, and at their front doors,” Solomon said.
What It Means for Hudson County
For seniors in Jersey City, this could mean a few hundred to over a thousand dollars back in their pockets each year. The money comes from the state, not the city — so this is about helping residents access a benefit they’ve already earned. Think of it like a tax refund you forgot to claim.
The city is making it easier by assigning staff to go door-to-door in senior neighborhoods, hosting town halls with on-the-spot application help, and providing information in multiple languages. “America’s most diverse city must be able to speak multiple languages with its residents,” Solomon noted.
What People Are Saying
No critics were quoted in the announcement, but the program has broad support. Senior advocacy groups have long pushed for better outreach on property tax relief programs. “This is the kind of proactive help that makes a real difference,” said a spokesperson for the Jersey City Office of Senior Services, which is partnering on the campaign.
The city’s Resident Response Center is already taking calls. Staff can walk you through eligibility requirements, income limits, and the application process over the phone.
What Comes Next
The city will release a schedule of town hall dates, event locations, and canvassing routes in the coming weeks. For now, seniors can call the Resident Response Center at (201) 547-4900 or visit the state’s Senior Freeze page at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/ptr. The application deadline is November 2nd, and this year’s process is simpler than ever: the state now uses a single combined application for Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and the new Stay NJ program.
So if you’re a senior living on a fixed income — or you know one — now’s the time to pick up the phone. That money is yours. The city just wants to help you get it.
Source: Hudson County View