Gov. Shapiro makes stop in Centre County to show support for older homeowners

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich visited the Philipsburg Senior Resource Center in Centre County to highlight the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program .

He announced that rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2023 as part of the program will start being distributed on Monday, July 1. This initial distribution will include approximately 442,000 rebates totaling $266 million critical relief that is going to older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities across Pennsylvania.

“The bottom line is this is your money, and we want you to get it. I am mindful that there are rising costs, and we want to help you be able to deal with that, stay in your homes, stay in your apartment, and live out your golden years with dignity and respect,” Gov. Shapiro said.

Governor Shapiro and Secretary Kavulich were joined by Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins, Centre County Office of Aging volunteer Brian Meader, and first-time PTRR recipient Darlene Harper.

“This is the first time I was qualified to receive the rent rebate because they raised the earning limit this year. This will relieve some of the pressure of my financial burden and then for the quality of my life,” First-time PTRR recipient Darlene Harper said. “I will use that money for groceries and medicine and to relieve the stress of any emergency that may come up. Also, I will use some of the money on my two grandchildren for Christmas. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is how senior citizens supplement their income. This allows them to pay their expenses without worrying where they will get the money. I want to thank Governor Shapiro here and his Administration for raising the income level. It will give us peace of mind, which is precious to us.”

“We’d like to thank Governor Shapiro and his team for joining us in Centre County to make this announcement. You’re warmly welcomed to the Philipsburg Senior Center – one of six senior centers that the Centre County government operates. This complex houses many people who are eligible for the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, making it an easy choice of location for the event,” Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins said. “For years, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has offered assistance and relief to seniors in Centre County and throughout all of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And recently, thanks to the Governor’s efforts, more people are eligible for the program. It’s a breath of fresh air to bring additional well-deserved attention to our senior population, which is one of the goals of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.”

Anyone who submitted their bank account information on their application forms will receive their rebates through direct deposit. If you requested a paper check to be mailed then you should expect to receive your payment in the mail.

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After the initial distribution of rebates on July 1, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed. Governor Shapiro also recently announced that the deadline for older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2023 has been extended to December 31 .

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