Erie County Times

Thousands of disabled and elderly Pennsylvania residents who received a rebate for property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive a new bonus rebate.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program was proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) earlier this year and recently signed into law, according to a news release from the governor's office. Pennsylvanians who were approved for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive the bonus rebate, which amounts to 70% of the rebate amount originally allotted. For example, anyone receiving a rebate can get up to $1,675 –  an increase from the previous maximum amount of $975.

"I am proud that bonus rebates are starting to roll out to Pennsylvanians in need this week," Wolf said in the news release. "I proposed these bonus rebates back in February to help low-income Pennsylvanians deal with inflation and higher costs. For older adults, in particular – many of whom are on a fixed income – a bonus Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program rebate this year will be a game-changer. These bonus rebates will help older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities stay in their homes."

The rebates will arrive in the form of direct deposit or a mailed check – the same way that residents received their original rebates – the news release noted. These bonus rebates will be paid through $140 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Over 361,000 one-time bonus rebates were already approved by the state's Department of Revenue.

"Although we originally said that we expected one-time bonus rebates to be paid starting in September, we are extremely pleased that we're ahead of schedule and prepared to start providing this needed relief earlier than anticipated," Dan Hassell, secretary of revenue, said in the news release. "At the same time, we are asking claimants who are expecting a paper check in the mail to be patient. It will take several weeks to mail all of the checks for the one-time bonus rebates, whereas those who elected direct deposit on their application forms should see their bonus rebates sooner. I would also like to thank the staff at the Pennsylvania Treasury for working with us to ensure that bonus rebates are distributed as quickly as possible."

Eligible claimants for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program who filed an application in 2021 do not need to take further action, according to the news release. Those who have not filed yet can do so by visiting the Department of Revenue's online filing system, called myPATH. The deadline to apply for a rebate, with no charge, is Dec. 31.