Northhampton News

Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that thousands of older and disabled Pennsylvanians who already received a rebate on rent paid or property taxes in 2021 will receive another one-time bonus payment.

This is the result of a proposal Wolf made earlier this year, and the extra payment will go out through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, a recent press release from the governor’s office said. Pennsylvanians who are approved for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 will receive the bonus rebate that equals 70% of their original rebate amount. A claimant can receive up to $1,657.50, which is 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 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 gamechanger. These bonus rebates will help older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities stay in their homes.”

Data released by the governor’s office stated that the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has processed 361,042 one-time bonus rebates for those approved for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid for 2021. Claimants do not need to take any action, and rebates will be done through direct deposit or mailed paper check. The rebates are funded through $140 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“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,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “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.”

It is free to apply for the rebate, and it can by done through myPATH, the Department of Revenue’s online filing system. The deadline for applications is Dec. 31.