January 16, 2025 - Pittsburgh, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Vintage Senior Center in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood to announce the opening of this year's application period for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program. Joined by Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne, local leaders, and community members, Governor Shapiro highlighted the program's critical role in providing financial relief to seniors and people with disabilities across Pennsylvania. Last year, more than 520,000 Pennsylvanians received over $318 million in rebates under the expanded program - the most amount of money ever distributed through this program - including nearly 100,000 first-time filers.Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, the PTRR program was expanded for the first time in nearly two decades through bipartisan legislation signed into law in 2023 - fulfilling the Governor's promise to cut costs and deliver real relief for Pennsylvania's seniors. Beginning in 2024, the expansion increased the maximum rebate from $650 to $1,000, raised income eligibility limits for homeowners and renters, and tied those income limits to cost-of-living adjustments. These updates ensure that more Pennsylvanians can access this vital program while protecting current recipients from losing eligibility due to Social Security increases."From day one, my Administration has been laser-focused on cutting costs and putting money back in Pennsylvanians' pockets. As I traveled across the Commonwealth, seniors shared with me how rising costs are making it harder to stay in their homes, pay bills, and make ends meet. I heard their concerns, and I promised to act," said Governor Shapiro. "By working with legislators from both sides of the aisle - bringing together Democrats and Republicans - we expanded the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program to ensure it remains a lifeline for our older friends and neighbors across Pennsylvania. In its first year of expansion, the program is already helping hundreds of thousands of people across the Commonwealth and we sent out more tax cuts to Pennsylvanians than ever before in the history of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate. "Speaker list:Heather Sedlacko, Executive Director, Vintage Inc.Governor Josh ShapiroDonna Terry, Membership Referral Aide, Vintage Inc.Secretary of Revenue Pat BrowneCounty Executive Sara InnamoratoMayor Ed GaineySenator Lindsey WilliamsRepresentative La'Tasha Mayes