Brewster Issues Statement Following Governor Shapiro’s Inaugural Budget Address

Brewster Issues Statement Following Governor Shapiro’s Inaugural Budget Address

State Sen. Jim Brewster issued the following statement today on Gov. Shapiro’s inaugural budget address:

The governor’s budget provides a solid framework for building upon recent improvements to education, public safety, and the environment. I’m looking forward to working with the administration to fill out the framework with the details that will help communities thrive and keep our neighbors safe and healthy.

Pennsylvania’s economy has provided revenue that will in turn provide opportunity to address long-term and systemic neglect of our public education system, a system that has been declared unconstitutional in its inequity.

At the same time, I applaud the governor for outlining a way to change the way we fund the State Police to create sustainable long-term investments in public safety through the expansion and continued improvements to training and equipping our troopers.

From improvements to childcare to expansion of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, the budget should lift Pennsylvanians of all ages in all regions. It is a thoughtful and balanced approach to governing and I’m looking forward to filling in the details over the next several months. For more details on the budget visit pasenate.com/budget.

Brewster: Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended to End of Year

Brewster: Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended to End of Year

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/

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Brewster, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Expand Partnership to Local Libraries

Brewster, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Expand Partnership to Local Libraries

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.

Property Tax and Rent Rebate Filing Deadline Extended to Dec. 31, Brewster Says

Harrisburg – June 16, 2015 – The deadline for filing for a property tax or rent rebate has been extended to Dec. 31, 2015, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).

“This is an important program that helps seniors and those with disabilities manage their property tax bills,” Brewster said.  “While we continue to work through more aggressive solutions that significantly reduce taxes, this program is a good way to channel funds back to those who need help.”

The program benefits Pennsylvania residents aged 65 or older, widows and widowers aged 50 and above and those with disabilities over the age of 18.  Homeowners must have an annual income of $35,000 or less, and renters must have an annual income of $15,000 or less.

Brewster said homeowners who qualified for rebates in 2014 and who received Social Security should pay attention to income guidelines since one-half of Social Security is discounted in the income calculation.

The maximum rebate is $650 with supplement rebates available for qualifying homeowners.  Brewster said that applicants should check with the state revenue department or call his office to determine eligibility.

Brewster encouraged those who believe they are eligible to contact his district offices.  Brewster’s district office telephone numbers are as follows: Monroeville, (412) 380-2242, McKeesport, (412) 664-5200 and the Alley-Kiski office can be reached at (724) 334-1143.

The program is funded by the state lottery and gaming revenues.

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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Available in Sen. Brewster’s Offices

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.”

 

PA Property Tax Relief

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.

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Brewster Reminds Seniors of Property Tax Rebate Filing Deadline

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

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