Shapiro, Browne visit senior center in Lackawanna County

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SCRANTON — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday said he has heard from seniors about how they’re struggling with rising costs and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program “is a lifeline” for them and Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

“I made a promise to cut costs and deliver for Pennsylvanians — and in my first year in office, we worked together with bipartisan compromise to get this done,” Shapiro said during a visit to a Lackawanna County senior center. “Over 442,000 rebates will begin to go out today — including to over 9,400 people here in Lackawanna County — but there are at least 125,000 more Pennsylvanians who are eligible but haven’t applied. I want everyone who is eligible to get this money, so go to pa.gov/PTRR today to apply by Dec. 31.”

Gov. Shapiro and Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne visited the Robert Dougherty Dunmore High Rise in Lackawanna County to announce that rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2023 as part of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program started to be distributed July 1, 2024, as required by law.

Gov. Shapiro said he made a commitment to Pennsylvania seniors to ease the burden of rising costs — and the governor said he delivered on that promise in August, signing into law a historic expansion of the PTRR program for the first time in nearly 20 years.

This initial distribution includes over 442,000 rebates totaling $266 million — critical relief that is going to older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities across Pennsylvania.

This is a significant increase from last year, when 283,468 homeowners and renters were issued rebates totaling nearly $132 million as part of the initial distribution.

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

After the initial distribution of rebates starting Monday, rebates will be distributed as claims are received and processed. 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 Dec. 31, 2024.

The Department of Revenue (DOR) has already processed and approved 93% of PTRR applications for payment. The remaining claims yet to be approved either have errors or may require more information — if you receive outreach from DOR, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to respond as soon as possible in order to get their application approved so they can receive their rebate in a timely manner.

“One of the prime reasons why the governor’s leadership was really important on this — working with Sen. Marty Flynn and the rest of General Assembly — is the losses over the last 20 years have been significant, because for 20 years the program wasn’t adjusted,” said Browne. “That was unacceptable to Gov. Shapiro and because of his leadership, the number of seniors getting relief will be up to over 550,000 seniors once again.”

While visiting the Robert Dougherty Dunmore High Rise, Shapiro and Browne were joined by first-time PTRR recipient Joann Rinaldi, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, Flynn, Dunmore Mayor Max Conway, and Executive Director of the Lackawanna County Housing Pat Padula.

“I have lived in the Dunmore High Rise for the last 10 years. I am grateful that Governor Shapiro and the state legislature raised the income limits and expanded the Property Tax Rent Rebate program,” said Rinaldi. “Thanks to the expansion, I qualified for the rent rebate program for the first time this year. I am glad to say that my check is on the way, and many people in this building have received their rebate already. I plan to put the extra money towards my upcoming vehicle inspection, gas and grocery items. I encourage anyone over the age of 65 who is eligible to apply for this rebate.”

“I applaud Gov. Shapiro for leading this historic expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, the largest targeted tax cut for seniors in nearly two decades,” said Cartwright, D-Moosic. “Thanks to the governor’s dogged efforts, and with bipartisan support, the Shapiro administration is providing meaningful relief to seniors right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Flynn said when he came into office as a state representative back in 2013, and year in and year out, he would see people come into his office about the rent rebate and he would see them miss qualifying for the rebate by $20, by $100.

“This is probably one of the first times where I felt like we’ve really accomplished something to change people’s lives,” Flynn said. “It was no easy lift, as the governor could tell you, but we actually got it done with common sense, knowing that that people are struggling day in and day out. It’s great to be with the governor to see our tax dollars at work — and let’s not forget, this $260 million is going back into the economy because this money is going to be spent by Pennsylvanians in Pennsylvania, and that’s going to help stimulate the economy.”

Cutting Costs for Pennsylvanians

More Pennsylvanians now qualify and the vast majority who qualified in prior years will see their rebates increase.

The expansion:

• Increases the maximum standard rebate to $1,000.

• Increases the income cap for both homeowners and renters to $45,000.

• Increases the income cap to grow with inflation each year moving forward.