Office of Speaker Dennis M. O’Brien

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

139 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        CONTACT:  Bill Patton

                                                                                                                                   717-787-4610

 

O’Brien urges residents to apply for rebates

 

PHILADELPHIA, June 20 – Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis O’Brien encourages constituents in the 169th Legislative District to call or visit his office on Academy Road to see if they qualify for state rebates on property tax or rent paid in 2006.

“Because of changes made last year in order to use money that’s now coming in from the slot machine parlors, many more people now qualify for these rebates than ever before,” O’Brien said. “That’s why it’s important for older residents and those with disabilities to check and see if you have money coming to you.”

The deadline to apply for the state’s improved Property Tax/Rent Rebate program was extended until Dec. 31, but the earlier an application is filed the sooner a rebate will be received.

The program serves people with qualifying incomes who are:

·        age 65 and older;

·        widows and widowers age 50 and older;

·        people with disabilities age 18 and older.

 

Before this year, only those people with annual incomes below $15,000 qualified for rebates on a sliding scale. With the recent change in the law, people in qualifying groups with incomes up to $35,000 now can receive rebates.

“Across the state thousands of additional older residents now can get rebates, and hundreds live in my district alone,” O’Brien said.

Applicants can exclude from their income calculation one-half of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits. This means some people with gross incomes of more than $35,000 can also qualify for rebates if their “adjusted” income is less.

Renters with 2006 adjusted incomes of up to $8,000 will receive a $650 rebate. Those whose incomes range from $8,000 to $15,000 will receive a $500 rebate.

For homeowners, the expanded household income limits and rebate amounts are:

·        Adjusted income up to $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.

 

“Although the deadline was extended, I still encourage people to apply before June 30 if possible. You will get your rebate much quicker that way,” O’Brien said. “The staff at my office is ready to help.”

Speaker O’Brien’s office is at 9811 Academy Road and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The telephone number is 215-632-5150.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of four programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. The expanded portion of the rebate program is being paid for with revenue from slots gaming.

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