BOSCOLA REMINDS SENIORS TO SUBMIT 
PROPERTY TAX AND RENT REBATE APPLICATIONS
Deadline extended to December 31^st

     BETHLEHEM (JUN 20) – State Senator Lisa M. Boscola today informed senior citizens that the deadline to apply for their Pennsylvania Property Tax and Rent Rebate has been extended to December 31, 2007. 

             “Every year there are thousands of seniors who qualify for state assistance to help pay their property taxes or their monthly rent payments but fail to apply,” Boscola said.  “I want to urge every local senior citizen who may qualify to apply before the December 31^st deadline.” 

              The Property Tax and Rent Rebate program provides a rebate of up to $650 on the combined amount of a senior’s real estate property taxes for the school district, county and local municipality.  If the senior rents an apartment, they may also be eligible for a rebate of up to $500.  The amount of the rebate is determined by a sliding scale based on annual household income. 

              To qualify, a person’s combined household income cannot exceed $35,000.  However, only half of an applicant’s Social Security income is taken into consideration, Boscola said. 

The expanded household income limits and rebate amounts for property owners are:

·         $0 and $8,000 $650 rebate

·         $8,001 to $15,000 $500 rebate

·         $15,001 to $18,000 $300 rebate

·         $18,001 to $35,000 $250 rebate

Renters with incomes between $0 and $8,000 will now receive a $650 rebate and those with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 will receive a $500 rebate.

            Furthermore, an applicant must be at least 65 years old, or must be permanently disabled over the age of 18, or must be a widow or widower over the age of 50. 

             “Until we can finally eliminate the burden of local school property taxes for Older Pennsylvanians, a rebate check from the state can be a big help to someone living on a fixed income,” Boscola said.  “This is one more way that the State Lottery helps Older Pennsylvanians.  I would urge anyone over the age of 65 to apply—even if they’re not sure that they qualify.” 

            Individuals who wish to apply for the Pennsylvania Property Tax and Rent Rebate program should contact Senator Boscola’s office in Bethlehem at 610-868-8667, in Stroudsburg at 570-420-2938, in Whitehall at (610) 266-2117 or toll-free by calling 1-877-535-1818. 

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