SCRANTON – At a senior center in Scranton today, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis highlighted the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s plan to expand a popular program that puts money back in the pockets of older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities to help them stay in their homes.
The Property Tax Rent Rebate program is a lifeline for many and has helped hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania seniors stay in their homes. The program gives a rebate to low-income renters and homeowners each year, putting money back in their pockets. Since the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program began back in 1971, it’s provided older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities with more than $7.6 billion in property tax and rent relief.
“The Shapiro-Davis budget proposal sets out a number of steps to cut taxes and lower costs for Pennsylvanians, while also supporting our most vulnerable residents, including older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities,” said Lt. Gov. Davis. “Our budget proposes a significant expansion of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, so that nearly 175,000 more Pennsylvanians will qualify and many of those who already qualify will see their rebates nearly double.”
Governor Shapiro’s proposed expansion for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program would increase its maximum rebate to $1,000 and boost the income cap to $45,000, tying that figure to the cost of living moving forward. Under the Governor’s proposal, nearly 175,000 more Pennsylvanians will qualify and many of the 400,000 seniors who already qualify will see their rebates nearly double.
“An expansion of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program is long overdue, especially given the rise in everyday costs over the last few years,” said state Rep. Kyle Donahue. “I’m proud to support the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposal to expand this program and to tie the income cap to inflation moving forward, to allow seniors to stay in their homes and live with dignity.”
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis meets with older Pennsylvanians at the Oppenheim Healthy Aging Campus, Scranton