(8/2023) Expanding Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

Legislation that would make more Pennsylvania seniors and people with disabilities eligible for property tax or rent relief was recently approved by the House. House Bill 1100 would increase income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for homeowners and renters to $45,000. The bill would also raise the maximum amount each homeowner or renter can receive from $650 to $1,000. The bill would help expand the reach of property tax and rent relief to more than 150,000 additional individuals and help make Pennsylvania a more affordable place to live. The measure is pending the governor’s signature to become law. The rebate program benefits eligible residents 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. Currently, the income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Contact my office for additional information or assistance with filing an application.

House Passes Bill to Relieve Teacher Shortages

By a unanimous vote, the House advanced legislation to address teacher shortages in Pennsylvania. House Bill 27 would extend a law passed during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving Pennsylvania schools flexibility in the hiring of substitute teachers. The bill would permit retired educators and staff to work in our public schools for more than 20 days without any impact on their pension. It would also remove the sunset provision in the law for certain provisions, enabling schools to continue securing substitute teacher coverage permanently. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Fee Reduction to Help PA Families Save for Future Education Expenses

Pennsylvanians looking to save for their child’s future education expenses will see a reduction in operational fees for the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Investment Plan (IP). The reduction will save PA 529 IP account owners an estimated $579,000 over the next year. The PA 529 IP offers a variety of portfolios for families to choose from, including target enrollment date options that automatically reallocate assets as a child approaches their anticipated date of enrollment. PA 529 accounts are designed to help Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for future educational expenses – including costs associated with universities, community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeships and K-12 education – all with significant state and federal tax advantages. For more information about saving for education with PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.

Low-Income Water Assistance Program Opens

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) has begun accepting applications to help low-income Pennsylvanians maintain access to drinking and wastewater services. Under this federally funded program, eligible households can receive one crisis grant for drinking water service and one crisis grant for wastewater service of up to $2,500 each. Crisis situations can include past-due water bills, termination of utility service or the threat of termination within 60 days. Receiving utility assistance through another program like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) does not prevent a household from receiving assistance through LIHWAP if the applicant meets program eligibility criteria. If a household previously received a LIHWAP grant for either a water bill or a sewer bill, they cannot receive another for the same service. Households may qualify if they rent or own their home, have an overdue water or wastewater bill that they are responsible to pay, and if the household is within the income limit for their household size. Grants are issued directly to water service providers, and families must meet income requirements. Please visit www.media.pa.gov for more information.

PGC Seeks Help Counting Turkeys

The Pennsylvania Game Commission again is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkeys this summer. The Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey is open now through Aug. 31. Participation is important for turkey population management. Survey data allow the agency to determine total wild turkey productivity and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also are used in the turkey population model to track population trends. Turkey sightings can be reported through the Game Commission’s website.