March 20, 2020
Harrisburg – March 19, 2020 – The deadline to apply for a property tax or rent rebate has been extended to the end of the year, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
The program is open for qualifying older citizens or residents with disabilities. The deadline was pushed back due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The previous deadline to apply was June 30.
“I am pleased that the state Department of Revenue has pushed back the deadline to apply for property tax and rent relief,” Brewster said. “The coronavirus outbreak has caused significant disruptions and closures of state offices and many seniors have raised questions about how they can get help in submitting the form.”
Brewster said by extending the deadline, there will be ample time for qualifying seniors or residents with disabilities to apply and receive financial help.
The senator said that his offices are currently not open for walk-ins, but staff is working remotely and can help constituents if they call or email the office.
“We are all adjusting our schedules and making changes in our lifestyles as we deal with the health threat posed by COVID-19,” Brewster said. “To ensure safety for all, my staff is addressing issues raised by constituents remotely, including helping with property tax and rent rebate applications.”
To be eligible for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, a person must be 65-years of age or older, or, if a widow or widower 50-years of age or older, or be a Pennsylvanian with disabilities earning less than $35,000 per year for homeowners and $15,000 per year for renters. To calculate income, half of social security is excluded. The maximum rebate is $650 for most homeowners.
For more information about the program or to contact Brewster’s office about any other matter you can call 412 380-2242 or go to his website at https://www.senatorbrewster.com/
-30-
August 22, 2019
Join Forces on Collaborate-Educate-Enroll events
Harrisburg – August 22, 2019 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced today a new outreach partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on Collaborate-Educate-Enroll events.
“My office has worked with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank over the past year to successfully share state services with those who attend the Produce To People event at the Food Bank’s facility in Duquesne,” Brewster said. “I look forward to expanding our educational partnership by traveling to numerous libraries in the region this September to offer state assistance.”
A wide variety of state services will be presented at local libraries including the Property Tax/Rent Rebate, PennDOT’s Yellow Dot Program, Unclaimed Property and the new Senior Bus Pass (ConnectCard). A representative from the Food Bank will also be on hand to discuss numerous food assistance programs.
“The Food Bank is delighted to partner with Senator Brewster and his team to reach out to our neighbors throughout September to help them access food assistance and other resources. Hunger Action Month 2019 is a great time to draw awareness not only to the problem of hunger, but also the ways we can help each other meet the basic need for food,” said Lisa Scales, President and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Collaborate-Educate-Enroll events will be taking place at the following libraries:
- Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library Street, Braddock
Wednesday, September 4, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- North Versailles Public Library, 1401 Greensburg Avenue, North Versailles
Tuesday, September 10, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Baldwin Borough Public Library, 5230 Wolfe Drive, Baldwin
Wednesday, September 18, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Carnegie Library of McKeesport, 1507 Library Street, McKeesport
Thursday, September 19, 1 9.m. – 2 p.m.
- Carnegie Library of McKeesport-Duquesne Branch, Duquesne Education Center 300 Kennedy Avenue
Thursday, September 19, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard
Friday, September 20, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
“Libraries are key resources to help educate and inform,” Brewster said. “I am grateful that local libraries are excited to join us in this new collaboration.”
To learn more about this event or food assistance services in the district visit www.senatorbrewster.com/producetopeople.
January 27, 2017
Harrisburg – January 27, 2017 – Help in accessing the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program for eligible seniors, widows and widowers aged 50 plus and people with disabilities 18 years of age or older is available in each of state Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) district offices, the lawmaker said.
“I would encourage constituents who believe they are qualified for property tax and rent relief to reach out to any of my offices and speak with my staff,” Brewster said. “This is an excellent program that provides real relief for high property tax or rent bills.”
The program, operated by the state Department of Revenue and supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, has provided $6.1 billion in property tax and rent relief since 1971.
Brewster said that tax and rent relief for those eligible is based on income. The maximum property tax relief for those earning $8,000 a year or less is $650. Any qualifying senior with yearly income $35,000 or less may qualify. Renters with incomes below $15,000 qualify for assistance. Half of Social Security income is excluded.
“My staff is very experienced in helping seniors and others who qualify to receive benefits under this program,” Brewster said. “Anyone who is interested in getting help in preparing an application should call or visit my offices.”
Brewster’s local district offices are located in Monroeville, McKeesport and New Kensington. The Monroeville office is located at One Monroeville Center, 3824 Northern Pike, Suite 1015 and can be reached by phone at 412.380.2242. The McKeesport office is at 201 Lysle Boulevard and the phone number is 412.664.5200. In New Kensington, the office is at the New Kensington City Hall, 301 11th Street, Suite L, 724.334.1143.
-30-
May 31, 2012
McKeesport, May 31, 2012 – State Senator Jim Brewster today reminded people that he and his local staff stand ready to help people apply for the 2011 state Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program — for free.
Brewster said some businesses have solicited by mail that they will help seniors apply for the Lottery-funded property tax/rent rebate program – at a charge of up to $50.
“While these businesses can legally charge people to help them apply for a rebate, I want to remind seniors and others that there is no need to pay for such a service because my staff and I stand ready to provide that help for free,” Brewster said.
The Property Tax and Rent Rebate program benefits Pennsylvanians who are 65 years old and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Brewster said he and his local district office staff can help constituents determine if they are eligible, and assist them in completing and filing their rebate application. For assistance or to obtain an application, contact any of the Senator’s District Offices:
- One Monroeville Center, 3824 Northern Pike, Suite 350, Monroeville (412) 380-2242;
- 201 Lysle Blvd., Suite 100, McKeesport (412) 664-5200; and
- New Kensington City Hall, 301 11th Street., Suite L (724) 334-1143
Forms can also be found on line at http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/ or by calling 1-888-222-9190.
“Again, I urge local seniors to not pay for something they can readily get for free,” Brewster said.
# # #
February 11, 2011
McKeesport – February 11, 2011 – Application forms for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2010 are now available in Sen. Jim Brewster’s local district offices.
“I urge all seniors to see if they are eligible for this Lottery-funded rebate program,” Brewster said. “If you are not sure, contact one of my local offices and we will help you determine your eligibility and apply for benefits.”
Brewster said all homeowners and renters who received rebates last year should have received their 2010 application form in the mail by now. He said applications are also available online at www.revenue.state.pa.us or by calling 1-888-222-9190. In addition to his district offices in McKeesport, Monroeville and New Kensington, forms and assistance are available at state Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of local telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging and senior centers.
The rebate filing deadline is June 30.
Brewster said More than $281 million in property tax and rent rebates were sent to a record 603,098 people statewide last year. He added that if you combine rebates with gaming-generated tax relief, about 120,000 homeowners had school property taxes completely eliminated last year.
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but there are supplemental property tax rebates of up to $325 for homeowners in Pittsburgh. Brewster said the supplemental payments also apply to people in other parts of the state who pay more than 15 percent of income on property taxes. The maximum rebate for those homeowners is $975.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program’s inception in 1971, older and disabled adults have received more than $4.7 billion worth of property tax and rent relief. The expanded portion of the rebate program is paid for with revenue from slots gaming.
# # #
December 1, 2010
McKeesport, December 1, 2010 – Sen. Jim Brewster today announced that the application deadline for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is December 31, 2010.
“If you are a low income senior citizen or know seniors who may qualify for this benefit program, I urge them to apply by this month’s deadline date,” Brewster said. “My local staff and I stand ready to help seniors apply for benefits.”
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program provides rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2009. To be eligible, applicants must meet income requirements and be a Pennsylvania resident age 65 and older; a claimant under the age of 65 with a spouse age 65 or older who resides in the household; a widow or widower age 50 and older; or a permanently disabled individual age 18 or older.
The program is available to homeowners with a household income of $35,000 or less and renters with a household income of $15,000 or less, excluding one-half of Social Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.
Brewster noted that eligible applicants can qualify for a rebate of up to $650.
For applications or more information on the program, residents can visit or call the senator at his district offices in Monroeville (412) 380-2242, McKeesport (412) 664-5200 and New Kensington (724) 334-1143. Rebate information and applications is also available via the senator’s website at: www.senatorbrewster.com
# # #
