Harkins, Merski: New law will bring earlier tax, rent rebates

HARRISBURG, May 19 – Seniors and other Erie residents approved for property tax or rent rebates will no longer have to wait for July to receive their payments, thanks to a new law authorizing the state to process and distribute those rebates on a first-in-first-out basis, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, both D-Erie, announced today.

“The pandemic has created insecurity and strained budgets all around, but those problems are intensified for vulnerable, low-income seniors who are living on fixed incomes and possibly struggling with food insecurity,” Harkins said.

“I supported this law because it gets rebate money into the hands of eligible seniors at a time when the funds are most needed to bring a greater measure of security. I’m urging residents who have not already done so to apply now so they can receive their rebates as soon as possible.”

Merski said, “In previous years, residents had to wait until July for rebates to be distributed. The new law means that homeowners and renters who apply will be able to get their rebates much earlier. It’s a smart improvement to an important law, and one that is especially helpful right now, as residents deal with the challenges the pandemic brings.”

The state will begin issuing rebates under the new law as early as tomorrow. More information about the law is available here.