Tax Collector Announces Program To Prevent Seniors From Losing Homes – Patch

Tax Collector Announces Program To Prevent Seniors From Losing Homes  Patch

The Senior Safe Harbor Program is intended to help those 65 and older navigate property-tax hardships and access available assistance. SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen Monday announced a five-pillar program intended to help eligible senior homeowners keep their homes. "Older adults who have worked hard to keep their homes should know where to turn when they encounter financial or medical hardships that make paying their property taxes difficult," Cohen said. "Senior Safe Harbor is about meeting seniors where they are, helping them navigate the system and connecting them with available resources before they reach a crisis point. We want seniors and their families to know that help may be available, and we want to make it easier to find." Cohen said the program will help seniors with "personalized assistance and proactive outreach" to prevent financial hardship from becoming a crisis.

— Priority Review Lane: Eligible seniors will have access to a dedicated contact and an expedited review process for property-tax concerns — with a targeted response or resolution time of 10 business days; — Medical Hardship Support: Those experiencing a qualifying medical hardship may request cancellation of property-tax penalties under state law, with each request evaluated based on the circumstances and legal requirements; — Proactive Payment-Plan Outreach: Reaching out to seniors with deadlines approaching