By Kim Lyons | Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Credit: PA Internet News Service
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday signed into law an expansion of the property tax and rent rebate (PTRR) program, which will cover almost 175,000 more senior citizens, and double rebates for many of the nearly 400,000 people who already participate in the program.
Friday marked the first time the program has been expanded since 2006. It raises the maximum rebate for seniors from $650 to $1,000, and raises the income cap for renters from $15,000 to $45,000 a year, and for homeowners from $35,000 to $45,000 per year.
The expansion also ties the cap to increases in the cost of living, so that if a senior citizen’s Social Security payment gets a cost-of-living increase, it won’t disqualify them from the PTRR program.
“When I traveled across the Commonwealth on my campaign last year, I heard firsthand from seniors who told me that we need to do more to help them keep up with rising prices,” Shapiro said in a statement. “After more than 17 years, this bill provides a crucial update to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program that will finally ensure more of our seniors get the relief they need.”
The bill had passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, but was delayed by the state budget impasse, which broke Thursday when the Senate returned to session and Shapiro signed the $45.5 billion budget.
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