State officials began mailing out rebate checks today to nearly 1.3 million residents.

While the number is smaller than last year, and some checks are skimpier, most taxpayers still will be getting some cash handout even though the state is suffering from a budget crisis.

“Despite significant reductions in spending, we were able to preserve rebates for 90 percent of last year’s recipients,” said Gov. Jon Corzine.

State Treasurer David Rousseau said three groups will be receiving their checks in coming days – elderly and disabled homeowners, elderly and disabled tenants, and other tenants with low incomes. Checks will be going out this fall to homeowners who are neither senior citizens or disabled. He said the deadline for applying for rebates has been extended from Aug. 15 to Oct. 31.

For more details on the program, homeowners should call (888) 238-1233 while tenants should call (888) 213-8623, or go to www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation.

(Source: Star Ledger)