ANCHOR website isn't broken, state says. Error message is a security measure.

Some taxpayers who wanted to check the status of their 2021 ANCHOR benefit claim said they were unable to get through the system.

You received a message with the content:

“The ANCHOR application does not support multiple tabs or windows. Your ANCHOR application is already open in another tab or window. For security reasons, you have been logged out of all previous instances of the ANCHOR application.”

The Treasury said the error was not a technical one but a security measure.

“If someone has an ANCHOR status page open on a site and then tries to open another ANCHOR status page, the user will be stopped,” a spokeswoman said.

Some of the users who received the message insisted that they did not have multiple tabs or windows open. They said they tried using the tool on computers and laptops, tablets and mobile phones, but the error continued to occur.

NJ Advance Media recommended that users use a different browser to see if the application verification tool works. For example, try using Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or another browser instead of Chrome.

Those who tried other browsers reported that they were able to access the tool.

MORE: The Next ANCHOR Property Tax Benefit: Answers to Your Questions.

Fighting fraud is a priority for the Treasury Department, which is why many applicants will be required to go through an identity verification process with ID.me when applying for ANCHOR this year.

Taxpayers can check the status of their 2021, 2020 and 2019 benefits on the state's ANCHOR website. Visit the information page at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor. Next, scroll down, select “Check Benefit Status” and select your benefit year. You will need to enter your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and your zip code.

The 2021 ANCHOR benefit pays up to $1,500 to homeowners and $450 to renters. Older homeowners and renters will receive an additional $250.

You can call the ANCHOR hotline at (888) 238-1233 or (609) 826-4282. You can also get personal help at a regional help center. You can find all locations here. An appointment is not required, but can be made on the state website.