GREENFIELD — The Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund Committee is holding a fundraiser at The LAVA Center later this month ahead of its first year of awarding funds to help older residents catch up on back taxes owed to the city.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, The LAVA Center will host the committee from 4 to 6 p.m. The event will include a performance by the Farley String Band, a cash bar, and a presentation by the committee about the fund’s goals and why it is collecting donations.
The committee was created in 2024 by a City Council vote to adopt the Massachusetts General Law that allows municipalities to create funds to help elderly residents and people with disabilities to defray the cost of real estate taxes. The committee was tasked with creating a fund, using money donated by private citizens and businesses, not city funds.
Since the fund was created, the committee has worked to develop a lengthy application that requires applicants to submit state and federal income tax documents and, if they received any disability benefits, to submit that documentation as well.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 60 years old or have a state-recognized disability, be the titled owner of the home, have lived in Greenfield for at least five consecutive years, meet annual household income limits (approximately $46,000 for a single person or $63,450 for a family of two), and have total assets (excluding the home) not exceeding $100,000.
Applications will be accepted through Dec. 1 at the Assessor’s Office. In January and February, the committee will review applications and announce decisions by early March. Committee member Patricia “Patti” Williams said awards will be up to $2,000 and will go directly from the fund to the Treasurer’s Office as a credit toward the owed taxes.
When fundraising kicked off in the spring, the city set a goal of $25,000. Williams said that so far, approximately $10,000 has been raised.
For more information on how to donate or apply for funds, visit greenfield-ma.gov/departments/assessor/elderly_and_disabled_tax_relief.php.
Senior and veteran tax work-off programs
The city is also taking applications for its tax work-off programs for senior citizens and veterans, which allow eligible residents to pay a portion of their property tax bills by working in a city department.
Seniors over the age of 60 can reduce their tax bills by up to $2,000 by completing hours, paid at minimum wage, for the city over a 10-month period from January 2027 to October 2027. Only 25 spaces are available. Applicants must complete background checks; have identifiable, employable skills that match a department need; and have a household income under $66,960 for an individual or $76,480 for two-person households.
In a statement, Council on Aging Director Hope Macary said the Senior Tax Work-Off Program is “an excellent way” for older homeowners to earn up to $2,000 off of their real estate taxes “by using their skills and abilities to support” a Greenfield department.
Applications must be completed by Sept. 30. Paper copies can be picked up at the Senior Center and an online version is available on the city’s website. Applications will be reviewed by the Council on Aging.
Similarly, the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District allows veterans to pay up to $1,000 of their property tax bills by working up to 66.67 hours in a city office position.
Applications can be picked up at the district office at 294 Main St. and must be submitted by Sept. 30.
