Northhampton News

Gov. Tom Wolf was recently joined by Pennsylvania officials to urge the General Assembly to help the elderly and people with disabilities by using $1.7 billion in unspent funds from the American Rescue Plan to help with property tax rebates to ease the burden as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wolf proposed the plan in February, and Rep. Steve Samuelson and Sen. Maria Collett are set to bring it to the House and Senate, respectively; a Thursday news release on the governor's office website said. The plans provides $204 million in property tax relief for Pennsylvania residents through the existing Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. This one-time rebate would double existing rebates for approximately 466,000 Pennsylvanians; they would receive an additional rebate amount averaging $475.

Wolf said that many households in Pennsylvania are struggling with finances as they try to recover from the pandemic, especially low-income households.

"By investing more money into the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, older Pennsylvanians and individuals with disabilities can stay in their homes," Wolf said in the release. "That money is sitting around, not helping anyone right now and at a time when the people of this commonwealth are hurting, that's just wrong."

Samuelson said that his office alone helps 800 people each year, and he praised Wolf for proposing that these funds be used. He also noted that if the legislation is enacted, it will double property tax/rent rebate payments this year for those in need of assistance.

Aside from the tax rebate, the plan also includes $500 million for the PA Opportunity program; $255 million for the Statewide Small Business Assistance Program; $325 million for the Pennsylvania Healthcare System, which includes $250 million for long-term recruitment and retention incentives, $40 million toward mental health programs and $35 million for student loan forgiveness to help critical health care workers; and $450 million toward investing in conservation, recreation and preservation programs while also addressing climate change.

Secretary of Aging Robert Torres praised the program, noting that older residents want to age in their homes and communities as long as they are able to, and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate will help in allowing them to do so.

"Many older adults live on fixed incomes, and when it comes to their finances, paying their rent or mortgage is a top priority," Torres said in the release. "Gov. Wolf's proposed one-time increase in the rebate amount will help seniors to meet some of their needs during these difficult times." 

AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh said that everyone is paying more these days across the board— including gas, housing, prescription drugs and more. He said that AARP was in favor of the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to be used for the tax rebates to help those with fixed incomes.

"The very purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act is to provide flexible, emergency funding for state and local governments to effectively respond to the negative economic impacts created by the pandemic," Johnston-Walsh said in the release. "AARP Pennsylvania is pleased to support this critical investment of American Rescue Plan Act dollars to support Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program beneficiaries." 

Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell, who leads the agency that administers the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, said that Gov. Wolf's plan is simple to execute, and those claiming won't have to take any additional action to receive the rebate.

"Claimants should fill out their rebate applications as they normally do, and we will automatically calculate and distribute the additional rebates to them," he said in the release. "If anyone needs help with their rebate application, filing assistance is available at the Department of Revenue's district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices."