New Jersey's Anchor program mails checks in two separate windows each year
New Jersey's Anchor Property Tax Relief program sends checks twice annually: one batch in May or June, and a second batch in September or October. The exact mailing date shifts slightly from year to year depending on processing volume and when the state completes its verification work. You will not receive a notice telling you when your check is coming — it arrives in the mail without advance warning.
The first mailing typically covers people whose applications were processed earliest in the cycle. The second mailing catches those approved later, plus anyone whose initial check was held up by address issues or other delays. If you submitted your process early in the year, you are more likely to be in the first group.
Key Takeaways
- Anchor checks arrive in two windows per year: May or June for the first batch, and September or October for the second.
- The state does not send advance notice of when your specific check will arrive — it comes directly in the mail.
- Earlier applications are usually processed first, so submitting yours early in the year increases the chance of a May or June check.
- If your check does not arrive within two weeks of the announced mailing window, contact the Anchor program to verify your mailing address.
- Checks are mailed to the address on file with your process, so updating your address with the state before the mailing window is critical.
How to track your check's status before it arrives
You can check whether your Anchor process was approved by visiting the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs website or calling the Anchor hotline at 1-888-540-ANCHOR (1-888-540-2662). Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. The representative can tell you whether you were approved, what amount you should expect, and roughly when the next mailing window opens.
The state does not offer real-time tracking of individual checks the way a bank does. Once you know you are approved, the only reliable way to know when to expect your check is to watch for the official announcement of the mailing window. New Jersey typically announces the dates on the Department of Community Affairs website and through local news outlets a week or two before checks go out.
What to do if your check does not arrive on time
If two weeks have passed since the announced mailing date and you have not received your check, contact the Anchor program directly. The most common reason for a delayed check is an incorrect or outdated mailing address on file. The state mails to the address you provided on your process, so if you moved or made a typo, your check may have been returned to the state.
Call 1-888-540-2662 and confirm your current mailing address. If it is wrong, the state can reissue your check to the correct address. This process usually takes two to four weeks. If your address is correct but you still have not received the check after two weeks, ask the representative to file a tracer request, which investigates whether the check was lost in the mail.
Why the mailing schedule varies year to year
New Jersey processes thousands of Anchor applications each year, and the exact timing of the two mailing windows depends on how quickly the state's verification team can work through the backlog. In years with very high process volume, the first mailing may shift from May to June, or the second mailing may move from September to October. The state prioritizes getting checks out as quickly as possible, but the workload determines the final schedule.
The state also holds back checks for applications that need additional verification — for example, if income documents do not match what was reported, or if the property address cannot be confirmed. These applications go into a secondary review queue and are usually approved and mailed in the second window or held for the following year's cycle.
How to update your address before the mailing window
If you have moved since you submitted your Anchor process, contact the program when ready to update your address. Do not wait for the mailing window to arrive. Call 1-888-540-2662 with your Social Security number and new address, and ask the representative to update your file before the next batch of checks is prepared.
Address changes made more than one week before the announced mailing date are usually processed in time for your check to be sent to the new address. If you update your address after that important date, the state may mail your check to the old address first, and you will have to request a reissue to the new one. Updating early prevents this delay.
What happens if you move after your check is mailed
If your check is mailed to an old address after you have moved, the postal service will attempt to forward it if you filed a change-of-address form with them. However, forwarding is not may provide, especially if the check arrives after your forwarding order expires (usually 12 months). If the check is returned to the state as undeliverable, the Anchor program will hold it and you will need to request a reissue.
To avoid this, file a change-of-address with the U.S. Postal Service as soon as you move, and also call the Anchor program to update your address in their system. This two-step approach ensures your check reaches you no matter when it is mailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Anchor check mailed to a different address than my home address?
No. The state mails Anchor checks only to the address on file with your process. If you need the check sent somewhere other than your home, you must update your address with the Anchor program before the mailing window. You cannot request a different mailing address for a single check.
What if I never received my Anchor check from last year?
Contact the Anchor program at 1-888-540-2662 and provide your Social Security number. The representative can check whether your check was mailed, and if so, whether it was returned as undeliverable. If it was lost or returned, the state can reissue it. Reissued checks usually arrive within four to six weeks.
Do I have to do anything to receive my Anchor check once I am approved?
No. Once your process is approved, the state automatically mails your check during the next scheduled mailing window. You do not need to take any action. Just make sure your address is current with the program.
Can I choose to receive my Anchor payment as a direct deposit instead of a check?
New Jersey's Anchor program currently mails checks only — direct deposit is not an option. The state has not announced plans to add direct deposit as an alternative payment method.