Application and determination of eligibility

(a) Any claimant, believing himself entitled to an additional exemption under subsection (a) of Section 12-81g of the general statutes for any assessment year, shall apply to the assessor or assessors of the municipality in which he resides for such additional exemption at any time from February first to and including October first of the year in which such additional exemption is initially claimed. Reapplications shall be submitted biennially thereafter. (1) In the case of an extenuating circumstance of a claimant's illness or incapacitation, evidenced by a physician's certificate to that effect, the claimant may make written application to the assessor for an extension of the application period. Such request shall be made on or prior to the thirty-first day of December next following the deadline for filing such applications. (2) Upon receipt of a written request from such claimant, the assessor may allow an extension of time not exceeding thirty days within which an application may be filed for such additional exemption. (b) Application for an additional exemption shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary. In making such application the claimant shall present to the assessor, in substantiation of his application, evidence of qualifying income in respect to the calendar year ending immediately prior to the submission of such application. Such evidence shall consist of copies of federal income tax returns, bank statements showing interest earned, trust account statements, dividend earning statements, statements from the Social Security Administration, proof of public or private assistance received, and such other documentation as may be required by the assessor. (c) Not later than ninety days after the assessment date for which an application is submitted, the assessor shall forward a copy of the completed application to the claimant, indicating acceptance or rejection of the application. Not later than ninety days after receiving an application from a claimant granted an extension, pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, the assessor shall forward a copy of the completed application to the claimant, indicating acceptance or rejection of his application.