PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 -- State Senator Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia) reminded senior citizens who are eligible for property tax rebates that they must apply by December 31 in order to receive their money back for this year.

     "Checks have already started going out, but in Philadelphia, fewer than half of those who are eligible to receive rebates have applied. Statewide, only 61 percent of the estimated number of seniors who are eligible have applied. So seniors all over the state are missing out on money they have coming to them," Fumo said.

     The tax breaks are thanks to Act 1, enacted in 2006. It uses the revenue from Pennsylvania’s slots casinos to make more senior citizens in the state eligible for property tax rebates, and to increase the amount of those rebates.

     Even though only five casinos (of the eventual 14) have opened so far in the state, and the revenue is just starting to come in, the first rebate checks to senior citizens were already issued this summer.

     In Philadelphia, an estimated total of more than 80,000 seniors are eligible, which is an increase of more than 57,000 homeowners over the number under the previous rebate system. Yet as of the beginning of September, only about 36,000 Philadelphia seniors, less than half, had actually applied for the property tax rebate, which can be anywhere from $250 to $650, depending on income levels.

     The good news, however, is this: Seniors have until Dec. 31 to apply for the rebates they are entitled to receive this year.

This is the criteria:

     -- Those seniors earning $35,000 a year or less and who own a home are eligible for a rebate. And seniors only count one half of Social Security payments toward that income threshold. The cut-off point used to be $15,000.

     -- You must be a Pennsylvania resident homeowner age 65 or older, or be a widow or widower 50 years of age or older, or you must be permanently disabled or medically unable to work.

     -- Renters who meet the age requirements and who make less than $15,000 per year can also get a rebate.

     To receive a PTRR application, senior citizens should do one of the following:

     Call toll-free at 1-888-222-9190

     Register online at www.papropertytaxrelief.com

     Those who live in the First Senatorial District can also call either of Senator Fumo's district offices, at 215-468-3866 or 215-423-7670

     Eventually, a portion of the more than $1 billion that the state will receive annually from slots gambling will also provide significant wage tax cuts for Philadelphians. But senior homeowners are eligible RIGHT NOW, and they should take advantage of this historic tax break.

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