ANCHOR Website ‘Technical Difficulties’: What It Means

NEW JERSEY — Taxpayers are currently unable to check their ANCHOR benefit status, as the online lookup tool is under maintenance.

On Wednesday evening, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury told residents that the website is unavailable due to "technical difficulties," and that they are working to get the tool back online as quickly as possible.

Patch checked on Thursday morning, and saw a message saying the benefit lookup tool could be offline until Wednesday, Oct. 23.

This will not prevent new ANCHOR applicants from submitting their information, but it will hamper anyone who is trying to see when their payment might arrive, or if their application is in processing.

The application period officially opened in late August, and officials said they've received 225,000 new applications as of Oct. 11. About 1 million people received their benefits last week via either check or direct deposit, per the state Division of Taxation (which is under the Department of the Treasury).

Payments will be issued on a rolling basis until all eligible applicants are paid, the state said — usually within 90 days of a completed application. But, if the state needs more information or clarification from any applicants, the process could take longer.

If you are seeking more general information about the program, visit anchor.nj.gov. Applicants may also call the ANCHOR hotline at (609) 826-4282 or 1-888-238-1233, get in-person assistance at a Regional Information Center, or stop by one of the in-person ANCHOR help events scheduled around the state if they have any questions.