The Homeowners Elderly/Disabled Tax Relief Program, also known as Circuit Breaker, provides a property tax credit to eligible individuals in need of relief. It does so through a credit against local property tax for homeowners. Older adults and people with disabilities with low-incomes who own or have life-use of a home may be eligible for financial assistance based on their income.
Property Tax Credit and Financial Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Circuit Breaker program, individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Connecticut resident and meet the income limit
- Be age 18 years or older and permanently disabled and receiving benefits OR
- Be age 65 or older by December 31 of the previous year OR
- Be age 50 or older and the surviving spouse of a homeowner who at the time of their death had qualified for and was entitled to tax relief. The surviving spouse must have been living with the homeowner at the time of their death.
Qualified veterans and active servicemen are entitled to a variety of applied exemptions to their assessments. Homeowners who are legally blind are also entitled to an exemption. A certification of Legal Blindness from the State of Connecticut Board of Education is required.
There may also be a local option created by municipalities that require other eligibility criteria.
Types of Services & Supports that can be used for Homeowners Elderly/Disabled Tax Relief Program (Circuit Breaker)
The application for the Circuit Breaker can be downloaded but must be submitted directly to the municipal assessor’s office or their designee. Typically an appointment is required.
All applications are available through the municipal assessor’s office and the application period is between February 1st and May 15th of each year. Once qualified for the Circuit Breaker, home owners must re-apply every two years.
For more information, contact the Office of Policy and Management at (860) 418-6406, or email Patrick.j.Sullivan@ct.gov.
Learn More: Visit 2-1-1 for additional information about property taxes.
Apply
The application for the Circuit Breaker can be downloaded but must be submitted directly to the municipal assessor’s office or their designee. Typically an appointment is required.
All applications are available through the municipal assessor’s office and the application period is between February 1st and May 15th of each year. Once qualified for the Circuit Breaker, home owners must re-apply every two years.
For more information, contact the Office of Policy and Management at (860) 418-6406, or email Patrick.j.Sullivan@ct.gov.
Learn More: Visit 2-1-1 for additional information about property taxes.
Applications must be submitted directly to the municipal assessor’s office. Download the Homeowner Q&A Booklet for more information.