|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Richard Grucela |
  
|
Pa. Property Tax/Rent Rebate amounts increase for many senior homeowners
HARRISBURG, June 17 – State Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, announced that seniors in his legislative district may be eligible for additional property tax relief from 2007 under the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
To be eligible for the program, a person must be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or 18 or older with a permanent disability. Based on the property taxes or rent they paid in 2007, eligible Pennsylvanians can receive rebates of up to $650.
Grucela said starting this year, eligible senior citizen homeowners whose income is less than $30,000 and whose 2007 property taxes were at least 15 percent of their income will receive an additional 50 percent rebate. He added that the deadline to apply for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has also been extended to Dec. 31.
"Whether you already filed for your rebate or still need to get an application in, please stop by my constituent service office to make sure you get your full refund," Grucela said. "The increased cost of fuel, food and other necessities make this increase more important to Pennsylvania homeowners than ever. Unfortunately, some people do not submit all their tax receipts because they don't realize it may bump up their rebate level. That could prevent some seniors from receiving a property tax rebate of up to $975."
To qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, household income for homeowners cannot exceed $35,000; the income limit is $15,000 for renters. However, applicants may exclude half of their Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or federal railroad retirement benefits when determining eligibility, which allows some people with higher incomes to still qualify.
The state will begin mailing out rebate checks after July 1, and any claims received after June 30 will be distributed as they are received and approved. Recipients have the option of having their rebate deposited directly into their checking or savings accounts.
Grucela has constituent service offices
located at 239 S. Broad St. in Nazareth, 610-614-1312;
and 5 Mt. Bethel Plaza in Mt. Bethel, 570-897-0401.
###