Thousands of Long Islanders are in line to receive hundreds of dollars in relief from their hefty school tax district bills.

A total of 582,000 Long Islanders are benefiting this year from the School Tax Relief, or STAR, credit. The state will dole out nearly $700 million to homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk counties over the next few months.

The STAR program has been around for decades, and has evolved over the years, according to former Suffolk County chief deputy county executive, legislature counsel, and tax specialist Paul Sabatino.

"For political reasons, the politicians in Albany about 15 years ago decided that they wanted to get credit for the rebate, so they changed the system," Sabatino said.

Therefore more residents who benefit from the STAR program now receive a STAR credit, rather than a STAR tax exemption.

Homeowners who earn $500,000 or less each year generally qualify for the credit, usually resulting in a check between $350 and $600 dollars, according to New York State's website for Taxation and Finance.

Senior homeowners in New York may be eligible for Enhanced STAR, which earns even more savings.

Some Long Islanders may still receive the STAR exemption, which is a reduction on your school tax bill, but that was closed to new homeowners years ago.

STAR credits are already being dispersed through the mail or via direct deposit and will continue to be sent out through the end of the year.

The state also has THIS tool on its website that allows homeowners to estimate when they might receive their STAR credit.