AS INTEREST IN SENIOR TAX FREEZE BOOMS, CENTERS ASK THAT SENIORS MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO OBTAIN AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONS

(2/19/2009) NEW HAVEN- Earlier this month, Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. launched year three of the City’s senior tax freeze program. The response from the community had been so great since the launch that senior centers are being bombarded with requests. In response to the positive response to this program, particularly during these difficult economic times, the Department of Elderly Services is asking that all seniors interested in the program please make an appointment directly with their local senior center. Appointments are now mandatory for all interested individuals. Due to the complexity of the information required, the application will not be mailed to seniors nor can it simply be picked-up at a center. All seniors must make an appointment to receive an application and to review with a trained senior center staff member.

Eligibility for this program requires that the homeowner be 70 years of age or older, a resident of New Haven for at least 10 years and have an income of under $53,000.

The tax freeze has a $2,000 cap placed on the yearly benefit that a senior may receive. Any amount over the $2,000 can either be paid by the senior or put into deferral. The tax free benefit ends when the property is sold or transferred. Seniors who earn between $53,000 and $79,000 qualify for a deferral program that allows taxes to be deferred until the property is sold or transferred out of their name. Deferred taxes are charged a prime interest rate but create an option for individuals who do not meet the income requirements of the tax freeze. Homeowners who are 62 years of age and older qualify for the freeze if their spouse met all requirements at their time of death.

For additional information please contact 946-7854 or one of the City’s senior centers directly:

Atwater Senior Center

26 Atwater Street

Tel. 946-8558

Dixwell/Newhallville Senior Center

255 Goffe Street

Tel. 946-8541

West River Senior Center

1562 Chapel Street

Tel. 946-8543

Bella Vista Senior Center

339 Eastern Street, 3rd Floor

Tel. 946-8552

East Shore Senior Center

411 Townsend Avenue

Tel. 946-8544

Westville Senior Center

349 McKinley Avenue

Tel. 946-6025

[END]

Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660