SALEM — What one lawmaker called an “unintended consequence” could leave more than a thousand senior citizens across the state in a serious pinch when it comes to paying their property taxes this November.

And after a meeting this week at the state Capitol, it appears unlikely that help will come for elderly homeowners before the 2012 legislative session in February.

“I was very disappointed on the progress that was made,” Republican Sen. Chris Telfer said after the legislative meeting Wednesday, where she hoped a solution would be discussed for the 1,700 seniors who are no longer eligible for the tax deferral.

“We have no way to tell our constituents what to do on Nov. 15 when they get their first property tax bill,” she said. “I’ll put my CPA (certified public accountant) hat on and do what we’ve been telling them, to pay the first third of their property taxes. And hopefully, we can get that back to them when we change the law next February.”

This past legislative session, lawmakers restricted the state’s Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral Program, which aims to keep seniors and disabled people in their homes. Senior citizens received little notice that unlike in years past, this November they will be on the hook for their property taxes.

Lawmakers intended to reign in the program and make it harder to qualify in light of the state’s $3.5 billion budget shortfall — they were looking for ways to save money.

Now, to qualify for the program, a person needs to be 62 years old and have an annual taxable income of no more than $39,500. Anyone whose net worth exceeds $500,000 is ineligible. A person needs to have lived in the home at least five years and have homeowners insurance.

The change that will affect 1,700 seniors involves reverse mortgages — anyone who has one is booted from the program.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners to use equity in their home to receive cash. Repayment is made when the person dies or leaves the home.

Telfer said she was hoping this week lawmakers would discuss ways to help homeowners who risk defaulting on their loans and possibly losing their homes if they can’t pay their property taxes.

“If you don’t pay your taxes Nov. 15 you’re in default,” she said to her fellow lawmakers on Wednesday. “So, we’re not getting any input or answer to that today?”

Telfer said she’s received calls from frantic constituents. The only suggestion, she said, other than paying the taxes, is to look for a nonprofit for help.

She said she’s had conversations with NeighborImpact, a local nonprofit whose goal is to help people out of poverty, to alert them to what’s happening with the hopes employees there can help seniors. One thought, she said, is the nonprofit could help seniors pay their utility bills.

“We’re trying to find some programs, to find some assistance so that can free up their money to pay these (taxes),” Telfer said.

Kenneth Hargis, 71, is one of the seniors who will owe a substantial amount of money he wasn’t prepared to pay.

“With very short notice, we’re in a situation where we have to find a source to meet the taxation amount,” he said.

He estimates he will owe several hundred dollars, which he does not have.

Rosemary Hardin, public information officer for the Oregon Department of Revenue, said the agency’s “hands are tied” when it comes to helping people.

“We can’t make any changes to the law — that’s the Legislature’s job — so unfortunately this is going to affect a lot of people,” Hardin said. “What we’re trying to do is notify people as quickly as we can to let them know if they qualify under these new, stricter rules.”

The best advice she can give, she said, is for people to contact their state legislators and let them know how the change is affecting them.