Senior Property Rebate Extended

State Rep. Harold James announced that the deadline to apply for Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31.

To be eligible for the program, residents must be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or 18 or older with a permanent disability. Based on the property taxes or rent they paid in 2007, eligible Pennsylvanians can receive rebates of up to $650.

To qualify, household income for homeowners cannot exceed $35,000; the income limit is $15,000 for renters. Applicants may exclude half of their Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or federal railroad retirement Tier I benefits when determining eligibility, which allows some people with higher incomes to still qualify.

This year, qualifying seniors may receive an even larger rebate. Senior citizen homeowners in Philadelphia who are eligible for the program and whose income is less than $30,000 will receive an additional 50 percent rebate. These seniors may qualify for a property tax rebate of up to $975.

The state will begin mailing out rebate checks after Jul. 1, and any claims received after Jun. 30 will be distributed as they are received and approved. Recipients also have the option of having their rebate deposited directly into their checking or savings account.

Residents should call the Department of Revenue's FACT and Information Line at 1-888-PATAXES (1-888-728-2937) after Jul. 1 to check the status of a claim, though touch-tone telephone service is required. Callers will need their Social Security number and the amount of their rebate. People without touch-tone telephone service should call 1-888-222-9190 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for assistance.

For more information or for help applying for the program, residents should contact James' constituent service office at 1440 Point Breeze Ave., Philadelphia, 215-462-3308, or visit his web site at www.pahouse.com/James.