| Releases & Statements
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today called on Mayor Bloomberg to extend the deadline for applying for the $400 property tax rebate. Gotbaum has received calls from New Yorkers who are unable to access the needed application and she is concerned that thousands more may also be unsuccessfully attempting to apply for their rebate.
“Twenty-five thousand homeowners have yet to apply for their $400 rebate. And the reason is that the C ity either hasn’t done its due diligence in explaining the application process or the application process is backlogged. Regardless, the Mayor must recognize that $400 is a lot of money to most New Yorkers. It is only fair to extend the deadline and ensure that there is sufficient staff to process the additional applications,” said Gotbaum.
In order to receive the property tax rebate, New Yorkers must be enrolled in the School Tax Relief Program ( STAR ). The C ity has been urging those not enrolled in STAR to call 311 or access the information via its website.
However, Gotbaum’s Office has been receiving complaints for over a week from New Yorkers informing her that , when they call 311, they are transferred to a line with a recording claiming that the system is overloaded and asking the caller to hang up and try accessing the information via the internet.
The Public Advocate’s Office placed calls to 311 and encountered the same problems as callers to the office. Additionally, the office found that three different fax numbers given for submitting the application were all busy.
“How are people expected to submit an application if they can’t get one or can’t fax it because the line is busy?” asked Gotbaum. “Many people in this city don’t have access to the internet and the only way for them to access the information is the old fashioned way , by phone and mail. I hope the mayor recognizes the need to extend tomorrow’s deadline so that all families across the city are able to get the $400 they deserve and need.”
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