Eligible Pennsylvania residents are reminded to apply to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to claim rebates on property taxes or rent paid during 2021.

Remember – you do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates.

Help is available from my district office at no charge, but appointments are necessary.

Call 610-965-9933 to schedule a time when my staff can assist you with the application.

Our office is located in the Lower Macungie Township Administration Building at 3402 Brookside Road.

The rebate program benefits eligible residents age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters and half of Social Security income is excluded.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

The revenue department automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.

The deadline to apply for a rebate is June 30.

Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1, as required by law.

Additional information, as well as claim forms, can be found on the Department of Revenue website at www.revenue.pa.gov.

Since the program’s inception in 1971, older adults and those with disabilities have received more than $7.1 billion in property tax and rent relief.

The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.

***

Editor’s note: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, Republican, has represented the 134th Legislative District for the last 10 years. The LRC-approved map places him in the new 187th Legislative District, which includes the townships of Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lynn, Upper Macungie (Districts 3, 7, and 8), Washington, and Weisenberg and the boroughs of Alburtis and Macungie in Lehigh County.