Harrisburg, PA – All across the Commonwealth, Governor Josh Shapiro has been meeting with Pennsylvanians to hear how the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program will help seniors and Pennsylvanians with disabilities stay in their homes – providing a critical lifeline to ease the burden of rising costs. Over the last week, the Governor visited Delaware, Dauphin, Centre, and Lackawanna counties to announce over 442,000 rebates on property taxes and rent paid in 2023 totaling $266 million have already gone out to Pennsylvanians.
While campaigning and in his first budget address, Governor Shapiro made a commitment to Pennsylvania seniors to ease the burden of rising costs – and the Governor delivered on that promise in August 2023, signing into law a historic expansion of the PTRR program and delivering the largest targeted tax cut for seniors in nearly two decades.
Governor Shapiro also recently announced that the deadline for older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2023 has been extended to December 31, 2024 – and encourages eligible Pennsylvanians to go to pa.gov/PTRR to apply.
Read what Pennsylvanians who are receiving their checks are saying about the expanded PTRR program:
- Delaware County resident Diane Henry: "I've been a poll worker for 10 years here, and I'm committed to the Upper Darby community. This is my third year in my house receiving a rent rebate. I got my letter last week, stating that I will be getting my check in the next few weeks. I was excited to learn the state legislature and Governor Shapiro passed the expansion of this important program. This will help me to buy different things for my house and for my family room, like a living room set and this ultimately helps me to support my family and make ends meet by paying our bills. I appreciate this program helping us to stay in and enjoy living in our home."
- Dauphin County resident Liz Bryant: “It's been a pleasure having the rent rebates as a senior, and before being a senior, I was a disabled person, the rent rebate always came in the middle of summer. It was like Christmas in July – and I think all of the seniors feel the same way. Living on a fixed income is very hard. I had started a part time job last year and I was not eligible for the rent rebate. Governor Shapiro raised the ceiling for the amount that you can make this year – and now I can get the rent rebate, and I thank you for that.”
- Centre County resident and first-time PTRR recipient Darlene Harper: “This is the first time I was qualified to receive the rent rebate because they raised the earning limit this year. This will relieve some of the pressure of my financial burden and then for the quality of my life. I will use that money for groceries and medicine and to relieve the stress of any emergency that may come up. Also, I will use some of the money on my two grandchildren for Christmas. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is how senior citizens supplement their income. This allows them to pay their expenses without worrying where they will get the money. I want to thank Governor Shapiro here and his Administration for raising the income level. It will give us peace of mind, which is precious to us.”
- Lackawanna County resident and first-time PTRR recipient Joann Rinaldi: “I have lived in the Dunmore High Rise for the last ten years. I am grateful that Governor Shapiro and the state legislature raised the income limits and expanded the Property Tax Rent Rebate program. Thanks to the expansion, I qualified for the rent rebate program for the first time this year. I am glad to say that my check is on the way, and many people in this building have received their rebate already. I