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 America's Seniors

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24, 2003 -- Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue Gregory C. Fajt today announced that the deadline to apply for Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2003.

"The Department traditionally has extended the rebate deadline," Secretary Fajt said. "We want to be sure that those eligible have ample time to apply for the rebate."

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $500 based on their property taxes or rent paid during 2002. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. The household eligibility income limit is $15,000, excluding one-half of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.

Rebate checks for more than 245,000 applicants are being prepared for mailing July 1. To check on the receipt and status of your claim, call the Department's FACT and Information Line at 1-888-PATAXES (1-888-728-2937). Touch-tone telephone service is required. You will need your Social Security Number and the amount of your rebate. People without touch-tone telephone service should call 1-888-222-9190.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) are available online through the Department's Web site at www.revenue.state.pa.us. Forms and assistance also are available at the Department's 23 district offices (listed in the government section of your local telephone directory), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators' offices. Claimants are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is one of four programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. More than $120.9 million was paid to claimants for taxes or rent paid during the 2001 claim year. More than $2.8 billion has been paid to qualified applicants since the program began in 1971.

The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state Lottery that designates all of its proceeds to benefit older citizens. Since its inception 31 years ago, the Lottery has contributed $13 billion to programs that have expanded to include property tax and rent rebates, free and reduced fare transit for older Pennsylvanians, a co-pay prescription drug program (PACE and PACENET) and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including 650 full- and part-time senior centers, located throughout Pennsylvania.