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Property Tax And Rent Rebate Application Deadline Nears

The last day to apply for 2011 property tax or rent rebates is approaching, and no claims will be taken after December 31.

The rebate program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, and provides rebates for Pennsylvania citizens age 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and for adults 18 and over with disabilities. Those who are eligible have to count half of their social security income toward their total household income.

State Senator John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) said the application is free.

“Free filing help is available at hundreds of locations in the state, including local area agencies on aging, senior centers, state legislative offices, and the Department of Revenue district offices,” he said.

The maximum standard rebate for homeowners is $650, but supplemental rebates homeowners meeting certain qualifications can boost rebates to a maximum of $975.

Last year, more than 604,000 senior citizens received more than $284 million in rebates. As of mid-November, $276 million in rebates have been sent out to roughly 583,000 homeowners and renters.

Despite the amount of people who have currently applied and those who have successfully applied in the past, Yudichak believwes there are still people who don’t get the help they need.

“A lot of people who need the help don’t get it because they don’t come into the office or they don’t make a phone call,” he said. “Make that phone call, let us check, it doesn’t cost anything to apply, it doesn’t cost anything to fill out the application, we can provide that help to you.”

Information and claim forms for Property and Rent Rebates are available online.