McClinton, Shapiro, state officials celebrate expansion of Property Tax Rent Rebate Program
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton August 4, 2023 | 6:21 PM
SCRANTON, Aug. 4 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, joined Governor Josh Shapiro and several state officials at the United Neighborhood Center in Scranton today, as the governor signed an expansion in the state’s popular Property Tax Rent Rebate Program.
The PTRR benefits hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania seniors, widowed people 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older by providing them a rebate on their property taxes or rent paid, if their income is below a specified threshold. Under the expansion nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians will qualify, and the rebate amount is being increased.
“Far too often I hear from my wisest neighbors that they no longer qualify for their property tax rebate because they have received modest increases in their Social Security payments over the years,” Speaker McClinton said. “But they still need the rebate money to help them pay bills, put fuel in the car, or purchase medication.
“Expanding the income eligibility for the Property Tax Rent Rebate program and the increased rebate amounts, will provide our seniors more security as our economy continues to recover.”
McClinton added that the income eligibility limits hadn’t been increased in nearly two decades.
Under the new guidelines, eligible Pennsylvanians earning up to $45,000 a year will qualify for a rebate, and the maximum rebate has increased from $650 to $1,000.
The deadline to apply for a rebate on 2022 taxes or rent is Dec. 31 and residents can contact their state representative for help applying.