Rebates For Property Tax, Rent Could Increase In PA Under New Bill

PENNSYLVANIA — A House committee has passed a bill that would make more than 170,000 additional Pennsylvanians eligible for housing cost rebates, and increase amounts for those already receiving relief.

The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee unanimously approved the bill (H.B. 1100), which raises the income cap and maximum rebate amount for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, on Tuesday. This program offers financial relief to eligible state residents ages 65 or older, widows or widowers aged 50 or older, and individuals with disabilities who are 18 years of age or older.

Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, was primary sponsor of the bill with Democratic primary co-sponsors and 81 bipartisan House members also signed on.

“House Bill 1100 will increase income limits and will provide larger rebates for those who qualify,” Samuelson said. “We also include a cost-of-living increase so recipients will not lose their rebate in future years when they get a modest increase in their Social Security or pension.”

The current income cap is $15,000 for renters and $35,000 for homeowners. This bill raises the cap to $45,000 for both. Also, the bill raises the maximum rebate amount (which is currently $650) up to $1,000 and sets the minimum at $380, where it is currently $250.

Income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program have not increased since Jan. 2007, House members said. The number of eligible recipients has dropped from 600,000 to about 398,000 in 2023.

This bill will expand the number of people who qualify for rebates, and increase rebate amounts to residents who already get them, said Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin.

“Fewer people are eligible for the rebates, and it’s discouraging that while the need continues to grow for thousands of people, the funds are locked away because of an outdated threshold,” said Kim, who is chair of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. “We are preventing people from getting financial help during these difficult times.”

The bill passed Tuesday aligns with the emphasis on helping Pennsylvania renters and homeowners that Gov. Josh Shapiro outlined in his budget address earlier this year.