Act Now – $1,750 Holiday Payment Available for Qualified Families Today

Published On: December 6, 2025

With the holidays fast approaching and budgets feeling the pinch, families in certain U.S. states could be in for a much-needed financial break. A Christmas-timed tax rebate of up to $1,750 is available—but only for those who act by today. These one-time payments are part of a broader effort by local governments to ease the pressure of inflation and rising living costs.

Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, here’s everything you need to know about how to qualify, how much you could receive, and why today is the final deadline for some.

Payment

This year’s most generous holiday support is coming from New Jersey through the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program. Depending on your income, homeownership status, and age, you could receive a rebate of up to $1,750 to help cover year-end costs.

Here’s how the payment breaks down:

Recipient Type	Max Rebate Amount
Homeowner under 65	$1,500
Homeowner 65+	$1,750
Renter under 65	$450
Renter 65+	$700

The rebate is not just a seasonal bonus—it’s a property tax relief payment designed to reduce the burden for middle- and low-income residents during the most expensive time of year.

Deadline

If you’re hoping to receive your Christmas payment from the ANCHOR program, the deadline to apply is today—October 31. Miss this window, and you’ll lose your chance to receive the rebate until the next application cycle.

But even if you apply now, note that payments may not arrive until early 2026, as the program processes applications and issues payments within 90 days of approval.

Requirements

To qualify for the New Jersey ANCHOR rebate, you must meet a few basic income and residency conditions.

Homeowners:

Your 2024 gross household income must be $250,000 or less.
You must have owned and occupied your primary residence in New Jersey on October 1, 2024.

Renters:

Your 2024 gross household income must be $150,000 or less.
You must have rented and lived in a qualifying property in New Jersey on October 1, 2024.

Age also affects your eligibility for higher rebates. If you’re 65 or older, your payment amount increases by a few hundred dollars compared to younger applicants.

Context

The ANCHOR program is part of New Jersey’s long-term strategy to offset some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Introduced in 2022 to replace the older Homestead Benefit Program, it’s aimed at making the state more affordable—especially for families and retirees who are being squeezed by housing costs and inflation.

New Jersey uses these property taxes to fund essential services like public education, emergency response, and local infrastructure. ANCHOR provides relief while still ensuring the system remains funded.

Other Programs

While New Jersey’s ANCHOR program stands out this year, it’s not the only place where families are seeing holiday-season relief.

In Alaska, residents are receiving their annual Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), with payments rolling out now. These checks are funded by the state’s oil and mineral revenues and are distributed broadly across the population, regardless of income.
New York has issued inflation relief rebates of up to $400 this fall. These automatic payments are based on 2023 income levels and filing status, aiming to offset the cost of increased sales tax.

Although these other programs may not be tied directly to Christmas, they contribute to easing holiday stress for many families during the year’s most expensive months.