HARRISBURG – (June 29, 2018) Sen. Michele Brooks wanted to let people know that if they have not yet submitted their Property Tax and Rent Rebate application before the June 30 deadline, that deadline has been extended for six months, until Dec. 31, 2018.
“Last year, more than half a million senior citizens and people with disabilities benefited from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program,” Sen. Brooks said. “By giving eligible residents another six months to apply, we can ensure that everyone who is eligible has time to submit their applications.”
As of June 1, the Department of Revenue had received 472,564 rebate applications. As specified by law, rebate distributions cannot begin until July 1.
Due to July 1 falling on a Sunday this year, rebates that have been processed and approved will be distributed to applicants via direct deposit on July 2. Other applicants who requested that a paper check be mailed to them — and whose applications have been processed and approved — should expect to receive their payment in the mail in early July. As a reminder, applicants are required to submit their bank account information on their application forms in order to receive their rebates through direct deposit.
After June 30, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed. Applications typically take four to six weeks to process.
Applicants may obtain Property Tax and Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and related information at Sen. Brooks’ district offices in Greenville, Meadville and Edinboro. Assistance with the form is available at Sen. Brooks’ district offices. Please check Sen. Brooks’ website for office location details at www.senatorbrooks.com.
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 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program’s 1971 inception, older and adults with disabilities have received more than $6.7 billion in property tax and rent relief. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.
Contact: Diane McNaughton (717) 787-1322