New Yorkers to Get $1,500 STAR Checks in Weeks as ‘Phase Two’ of Program Starts

🏠 Phase Two of New York’s STAR Program Begins

New York State has officially launched Phase Two of its School Tax Relief (STAR) program for 2025. This initiative provides significant property tax relief to eligible homeowners. Payments are now being issued throughout the summer and into the fall, timed to align with local school tax deadlines between August and October.

Key Stats:

Nearly 3 million homeowners will benefit.
The state is distributing $2.2 billion in total STAR relief.

✳️ Types of STAR Benefits

Basic STAR

For homeowners who use their property as a primary residence.
No age requirement.
Household income must be under $500,000.
Annual benefits typically range from $350 to $600.

Enhanced STAR

Available to homeowners aged 65 or older.
Household income must be under $107,300 in 2025 (rising to $110,750 in 2026).
Offers higher benefits—typically $700 to $1,500 per year.

✅ The 4 Requirements to Qualify

To qualify for STAR, a homeowner must:

Own their home and use it as their primary residence.
Have a household income within the eligible limit.
Be under 65 for Basic STAR or 65 and older for Enhanced STAR.
Be current on any required registration or application with the state.

📆 When Payments Are Made

Phase Two distributions are happening now.
Payment timing is based on when local school taxes are due.
Some homeowners will receive a check or direct deposit, while others may see the benefit applied directly to their school tax bill.

💰 Payment Expectations

Basic STAR recipients can expect $350–$600 annually.
Enhanced STAR recipients may receive $700–$1,500, depending on their location and income.
Some senior homeowners are expected to receive the maximum $1,500 benefit.

📊 Regional Example From Phase One (for reference)

Region	Total Relief	Homeowners Served
Long Island	$698 million	582,000 homeowners
Mid-Hudson	$488 million	404,000 homeowners
Western NY	$178 million	320,000 homeowners
New York City	$158 million	483,000 homeowners

Phase Two is expected to follow a similar pattern in terms of distribution scale.

✔️ What Homeowners Should Do

If you are already enrolled and meet the requirements, no action is needed.
If you’re new to STAR, or recently turned 65, you can apply or update your status when the registration window opens again on September 15.
Consider signing up for direct deposit to receive your STAR credit faster.