HARRISBURG – (June 13, 2019) Sen. Michele Brooks reminds residents that there’s still time to submit an application for the Lottery-funded Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. The June 30 deadline has just been extended until Dec. 31, 2019.
“More than half a million senior citizens, widows, widowers, and people with disabilities benefited from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program last year,” Sen. Brooks said. “By giving eligible residents another six months to apply, we can better ensure that everyone who is eligible has more time to apply.”
Applicants may obtain claim forms (PA-1000) and related information at Sen. Brooks’ district offices in Greenville, Meadville and Edinboro. Assistance with the form is also available at no cost to you in these offices. Please check her website for office hours and location details at www.senatorbrooks.com.
As of June 1, the Department of Revenue had received 432,411 rebate applications. By law, rebate distributions cannot begin until July 1.
Applicants who have already filed their forms for rent or taxes paid in 2018 should expect to receive their payment in the mail in early July. As a reminder, for applicants who wish to receive their checks via direct-deposit, they are required to submit their bank account information on their application forms.
After June 30, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed. Applications typically take four to six weeks to process.
“I know some residents have been receiving mailings and phone calls from companies that would charge them a fee for help with these forms,” Sen. Brooks said. “Please know that paying a third party will not get you additional money, and my office is very happy to help you with the forms at no additional charge to you.”
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.
Since the program’s inception in 1971, older adults and those with disabilities have received more than $6.7 billion in relief. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.
Contact: Diane McNaughton (717) 787-1322 dmmcnaughton@pasen.gov