The clock is ticking for Barrington residents who plan to apply for a “Super Senior” grant. The deadline to submit an application for the senior tax break is Feb. 28. 

Karen Griffith is the administrator for the Spencer Trust, which funds the grant program. Late last month Griffith reported that 13 residents had applied for the grant. She said the average age of applicants was 86. 

Age is one of the key determinants for the program — only residents who are 80 or older are eligible for the grants. 

The grant program also requires that the applicant has resided in their home for at least the past 10 years. 

For each person who qualifies, the grant award is $1,148. 

Barrington officials announced the “Super Senior” grant program late last year as a way to offer some additional tax relief to the town’s oldest residents. 

To qualify, senior residents must apply with a sworn attestation that they meet the following criteria: 1. At least one homeowner at the address is 80 years of age or older; 2. Household income does not exceed $94,425 for a one-person household or $107,925 for a two-person household; 3. Liquid assets do not exceed $25,000 (readily accessible funds including cash and cash equivalents such as money market funds); 4. Has resided in the home for at least the past 10 years; and 5. Applicant is still residing in their home.

For those who qualify, grant funds will be distributed this spring. Successful applicants will receive a check for the grant amount. 

If the total grant requests from eligible applicants exceed the amount of available funding, priority will be given to the oldest qualified “Super Senior” homeowners.

The Spencer Trust plays a key role in the program. The trust was established years ago and provides money for Barrington’s “poor and unfortunate.” The trustees — members of the town council — have approved the use of $121,000 from the trust to fund the “Super Senior” grant program.

For more information, please contact Spencer Trust Administrator Karen Griffith at 247-1900 ext. 384 or by email at: SpencerTrust@barrington.ri.gov

People can also find additional information about the program, including an application, at https://www.barrington.ri.gov/324/Spencer-Trust