ANCHOR FAQs
Child Support and Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)
Q: Will the Child Support Program intercept my ANCHOR payment if I owe child support?
A: Maybe, depending on how much you owe. If your overdue support is equal to or greater than one month of support, then the Child Support Program will intercept your payment up to the amount owed.
Q: Will the Child Support Program intercept the ANCHOR payment if my spouse owes child support?
A: Yes. In order for a married couple to receive separate checks for their eligible portion of the ANCHOR payment, you should check the box in Section D in the online filing application that states, “I want my half of the benefit payment in my name only.”
Q: Will the Child Support Program intercept the ANCHOR payment of my roommate(s) or housemate(s) if I owe child support?
A: No, each homeowner (except married couples) must apply separately to receive this benefit.
Q: How can I find out if my ANCHOR payment will be intercepted?
A: Please call the NJ Division of Taxation’s ANCHOR Hotline at
1-888-238-1233 to speak to a Taxation representative.
Q: What do I do if my ANCHOR payment is intercepted and I wish to contest?
A: If you wish to submit a contest, please call the New Jersey Family Support Services Center at 1-877- 655-4371. Please note that only a mistake of fact, such as mistaken identity, incorrect arrears amount or court ordered suspension of tax offset is considered a valid contest reason.
Q: I am the custodial parent and am receiving public assistance or have received public assistance for my child. Will I receive any money from the noncustodial parent’s intercepted ANCHOR payment?
A: Maybe. If the noncustodial parent’s ANCHOR payment is intercepted, New Jersey must apply the payment to any public assistance arrears owed. If there is anything left of the ANCHOR payment after the public assistance is paid back, the remaining monies will be sent to the custodial parent up to the arrears amount owed.
Q: I am the custodial parent and have never received public assistance for my child. Will I receive any money from the noncustodial parent’s intercepted ANCHOR payment?
A: If the noncustodial parent owes at least one month of support and their payment is intercepted, then you will receive up to the amount of arrears owed to you.
Q: How much money will I receive as a custodial parent from the noncustodial parent’s intercepted ANCHOR payment?
A: It depends. The amount of the money you may be entitled to receive will depend on the amount owed to you and whether the noncustodial parent has other child support cases in which arrears are owed. You must have an open Title IV-D case with the NJ Child Support Program to receive any monies.
Q: Where can I find more information about the ANCHOR Program?