Information for Senior Citizens

Programs available to Seniors

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

This program, available to qualified seniors and permanently disabled citizens, is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and administered by the PA Department of Revenue. Claimants who qualify can be reimbursed up to $500 a year for the amount they paid in property taxes or rent in the previous year. Claimants or spouses 65 years of age or older, widows or widowers 50 years of age or older and the permanently disabled 18 years of age or older may qualify for this program. To qualify, a claimant's annual household eligibility income must not exceed $15,000. Act 30-1999 expanded the PTRR program by excluding 50% of Social Security payments and 50% of Railroad Retirement benefit payments from eligibility income. Any senior who falls under these guidelines may be qualified to receive the rebate. The new forms (filing for 2005) are now available, and the filing due date is June 30, 2006. Any interested senior can request a form by calling the toll free information hotline for the property tax/rent rebate program:

1-888-222-9190. Forms should also be available at local senior centers, area agencies on aging, and legislative offices. More information about the program can also be found at the following link: http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/revenue/lib/revenue/rev-573.pdf.

Prescriptions

The prescription drug programs, PACE and PACENET, offer comprehensive prescription coverage to older Pennsylvanians and cover most medications that require prescriptions, including insulin, syringes and insulin needles. These programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and are funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. For information or assistance with the application process, call PACE/PACENET Cardholder Services toll free at 1-800-225-7223.The following link gives answers to commonly asked questions about PACE and PACENET:

http://www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/cwp/view.asp?a=293&q=176137

Transportation Services

There are several transportation services that are available to seniors.The Shared-Ride Program offers reduced-fare transportation to doctor's appointments, grocery stores, senior centers, and other locations. Any interested senior can get Information on this program by contacting the Dauphin Area Agency on Aging or by calling the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) at (717) 783-8025.The following link gives answers to commonly asked questions about the Shared-Ride Program: http://www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=176172

Vehicle Registration Discount

PennDOT also offers a Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Discount for low-income seniors.For those who qualify, the fee is reduced from the customary $36 to $10. Information on the discount is available by calling PennDOT at the following toll-free number:

1-800-932-4600. The following link gives answers to commonly asked questions:http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/registration/retired.shtml

Home Energy Assistance

Programs to help low-income residents with energy costs are available through the Department of Public Welfare at the local County Assistance Office. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income Pennsylvanians pay a portion of their winter heating bills. The program operates during the winter heating season, generally between November and March. Weatherization assistance to improve a home's heating efficiency and thereby reduce heating costs is also available through this program. Those interested in LIHEAP can contact the Dauphin County Assistance Office at the following address and telephone numbers:

Dauphin County Assistance Office
2432 N 7^th Street
PO Box 5959
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Toll free: 1-800-788-5616
Phone: 717-787-2324
LIHEAP: 717-787-8750 or 717-787-1935

Additional Contact Information

The Department of Aging web site gives information on the programs for seniors that we've listed here and some others as well at the following link: http://www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=197606