Nikki's Notes-Holiday Edition

Rep. Nikki Rivera December 23, 2024 | 9:46 AM

Hello, Northern Lancaster City, Manheim Township, and East Petersburg Borough!

As the Representative-Elect of our area known as House District 96, I will use this weekly e-newsletter to let you know about how I am working for you here in the community and in the Capitol, as well as share information about local and state resources that I hope will be helpful to you or someone you know.

Happy Holidays!

It’s a season of celebration for many reasons. This year, Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah both fall on the same day. I wish you and yours a peaceful and joyous holiday season.

My office will be closed on December 23rd and will reopen the morning of December 27^th.

We will close at noon on December 31 and will be closed on January 1 & 2, reopening the morning of January 3^rd.

PennDOT will be closed December 25 and January 1.

Christmas Dinners In Your Neighborhood

Here is a listing of community partners offering free meals this Christmas and New Year’s.

List: Free Christmas and New Year’s meals in Lancaster County (2024-25) - One United Lancaster

Empowering Historically Disadvantaged Small Businesses

The Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program is now open and accepting applications from established nonprofits, economic development organizations, and educational institutions to create Business Assistance Service Centers across Pennsylvania to support and empower our small, diverse businesses. The Business Assistance Service Centers will provide technical assistance and business support services to increase access to capital, promote economic empowerment, and boost the number of diverse small businesses in our communities.

Guidelines and more information can be found here.

Applications will be accepted through January 22, 2025.

In the District

I met with the HIGH Foundation and learned about some of their initiatives including increasing affordable housing and protecting the environment ( (photo left to right, Diana Martin-HIGH Foundation, Francis Miliano- District Office Director HD96, Rep-Elect Nikki Rivera, S. Dale High-Chairman of HIGH Foundation, Robin Stauffer-HIGH Foundation, and Anthony Seitz-HIGH Associates)

I also visited the Otterbein United Methodist Church with Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, which is currently under construction and will be opening soon as a low barrier shelter. We met with Justin Eby, the Executive Director for the Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authority to discuss how we can continue to support the shelter through state funding. Photo left to right (Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El HD49, Rep. Elect-Nikki Rivera, and Justin Eby- Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authority)

Next, I took a tour of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and met with Matt Parido, Vice President of Institutional Affairs, learning about the hospital’s comprehensive network of care and its work with other local partners to improve the health and well-being of the community. Photo left to right (Matt Parido- Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and Rep-Elect Rivera)

I’ve long admired CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, which provides qualified and compassionate court-appointed volunteer advocates to abused and neglected children. During my visit to CASA, I learned the different ways in which the organization serves children throughout the county and state and how I can provide support to their work by advocating for state funding for its operation. Photo left to right (Jessica Laspino- CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties & Rep-Elect Nikki Rivera).

Lastly, I got to speak with Mark Pontz on his podcast, Talking Business with the Twelve at www.12pod.com, where I had the opportunity to talk about education, budgets, taxes and my goals for my first term at the PA House of the Representatives. Check it out!

State Programs to Help You

Stay Warm This Winter with LIHEAP

Need help paying your heating bill this winter? LIHEAP is here to help!

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS that helps qualified Pennsylvanians pay their home heating bills during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners. The LIHEAP application period for cash and crisis grants is open to April 4, 2025.

Learn more or apply now at: https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/resources/liheap.html

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline: Closes Dec. 31

The state Department of Revenue has already received over 523,000 claims for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate in 2024! That's almost 25% more than last year, including nearly 103,000 first-time applicants. PA House Democrats fought to include more Pennsylvanians than ever before and it's paying off for over half a million seniors across the state.

This program supports eligible homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania with a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000.

The deadline to apply for your Property Tax/Rent Rebate is Dec. 31, but don’t wait!

Apply here: https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/revenue/incentives-credits-and-programs/ptrr.html.

Pennie

Pennie is Pennsylvania’s one-stop shop to search for quality health care plans at the lowest cost. Enroll today to have your health care plan for 2025 at pennie.com. The deadline to enroll is Jan. 15, 2025.

State Grants Open for Applications

Check out the latest round of state grant programs open for applications.

Senior Spotlight

Reduced Vehicle Registration Fees for Seniors

Even though some seniors are driving less, they still had to pay the same fee as those who drive more frequently.

But that just changed.

This week, the annual income threshold for a retired Pennsylvanian to qualify for a reduced vehicle registration fee was increased, allowing more people to be eligible for this benefit. Additionally, some veterans may now be eligible for free vehicle registration and titling fees.

The new $29,906 income limit also will be subject to annual Consumer Price Index adjustments. Previously, the annual income threshold for a retired customer to qualify for a reduced registration fee of $11 annually was $19,200.

For qualifying customers to receive the reduced vehicle registration fee of $11, they must complete and submit Form MV-371, Application for a Retired Person’s Processing Fee of a Vehicle Registration. Customers should attach the completed form to their invitation to renew and return it to PennDOT to be processed. The $11 annual fee will be applied after the application is processed. More information on eligibility requirements can be found on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Shared Ride Transportation Programs for Seniors

The Senior Shared Ride Program enables seniors 65 years of age and older to use shared ride services and pay only a small portion of the regular shared ride fare.

The program covers 85% of the full fare for seniors through Lottery fund proceeds. Various local agencies may partially or fully cover the remaining 15% of the fare. The passenger is responsible for any remaining portion of the fare.

Learn more: PennDOT Find My Ride Education - Seniors

Senior Food Box Program

Every month, the Senior Food Box Program gives senior citizens food such as milk, meat, veggies, pasta and cereal. If you are a senior and want to be a part of the program, contact our office for further information and assistance applying.