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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 7, 2023 01:49 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Rep. Carol Hill-Evans |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Expanding PTRR to Help More Homeowners and Renters |
| For many low-income senior and disabled Pennsylvanians, the Property Tax Rent Rebate (PTRR) program has provided much-needed financial assistance to keep them in their homes and apartments. However, many more need our help to ensure they are getting fair rebate amounts to live in this tumultuous economic climate. For decades, the household income limit thresholds were the same regardless of a resident’s status as a homeowner or renter. Since 2006, however, homeowners had higher income limits while renters’ income remained the same. Currently, the highest available rebate is $650 for homeowners and renters with up to $8,000 household income, with lower rebates available for those with higher income. Homeowners with income up to $35,000 qualify for a property tax rebate, while renters only receive a rent rebate if their income does not exceed $15,000. These amounts are not enough to keep up with current inflation. The time is now to make those thresholds the same again for homeowners and renters. While multiple PTRR proposals have upheld this large disparity, my legislation would have the same income brackets and rebates for both homeowners and renters. Additionally, my bill would raise the rebate amounts, with the highest available rebate of $1300 for a household with up $15,000 annual income. It is our public responsibility, and it is the priority of our Governor and our communities, to provide aid to our seniors to meet the challenges of rising living costs. Please join me in raising the PTRR income limits and rebate amounts - putting community-stabilizing money back into the pockets of seniors and helping them to stay in their home." |
Introduced as HB389