Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program sends older and disabled residents with modest incomes a check or direct deposit of up to $1,000 a year, and up to $1,500 for some homeowners. It is free to apply, it is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and slots gaming, and many eligible people never file. For the 2025 claim year, the application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2026.
This guide explains who qualifies, how much you can receive, and exactly how to apply. It also covers a second form of relief most homeowners should have in place: the homestead exclusion.
Who qualifies
You may qualify if you are a Pennsylvania homeowner or renter and you are:
- 65 or older, or
- a widow or widower 50 or older, or
- a person with a disability 18 or older (with an award letter or a physician’s statement).
Your household income must be $48,110 or less for the 2025 claim year. That limit rose by nearly $1,600 from the prior year, because the program is now tied to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.
One detail works in your favor: only half of your Social Security benefits counts as income. The same is true for SSI, State Supplementary Payments, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits. Many retirees who assume they earn too much actually qualify once they apply this rule.
You must reapply every year.
How much you can receive
| Household income (2025 claim year) | Standard rebate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $8,550 | $1,000 |
| $8,551 to $16,040 | $770 |
| $16,041 to $19,240 | $460 |
| $19,241 to $48,110 | $380 |
Renters receive a rebate based on 20 percent of the rent they paid, up to the same maximums. A rent certificate (form PA-1000 RC) signed by the landlord is required.
Supplemental rebates add 50 percent to the standard amount for homeowners with household income of $32,070 or less who live in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Scranton, or whose property taxes are more than 15 percent of their household income anywhere in the state. The Department of Revenue calculates the supplement automatically, so you do not apply for it separately. The highest possible total is $1,500.
How to apply
- Gather your documents: proof of age (or disability), proof of income, your receipted property tax bills (homeowners) or rent certificate (renters), and your school district code.
- File online through myPATH at mypath.pa.gov. It is free, available in English and Spanish, and does not require an account.
- Or file on paper with form PA-1000, mailed to: PA Department of Revenue, Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PO Box 280503, Harrisburg, PA 17128-0503.
- Watch for confirmation. Rebates are paid by direct deposit or check, starting July 1 each year.
Deadline: claims for the 2025 claim year are due by December 31, 2026. Claims postmarked by that date are accepted.
Free help is available at Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, and state legislators’ offices. The district office closest to Montgomery County is in Norristown, at 1939 New Hope Street (610-270-1780). For questions, call 1-888-222-9190; to check a claim’s status, call 1-888-728-2937.
Beware of scams. The Department of Revenue does not call and ask for your bank information.
The homestead exclusion: relief most homeowners should have
Separate from the rebate, Pennsylvania’s homestead exclusion lowers the assessed value of your primary residence for school property taxes. It is not limited to seniors, and it applies every year once you are approved.
In Montgomery County, applications go to the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, and they are due by March 1, a deadline set by state law. If you are already enrolled, you do not need to reapply. If you recently bought a home, or you are not sure whether you are enrolled, check now so you do not miss the next March 1 deadline. Some townships also offer additional exemptions of their own, so it is worth asking your township office.
How this fits into a bigger decision
For many older homeowners, the rebate is a small but welcome offset to rising property taxes. If taxes and upkeep are becoming a strain, it can also be a good moment to look at the bigger picture: whether staying, renovating for aging in place, or moving to something smaller makes the most sense. Karen’s guides to aging in place versus downsizing and how to downsize in the Philadelphia suburbs walk through those choices.
This guide is general information, not tax advice. For help with your specific claim, contact the Department of Revenue or a free assistance location listed above.
Working with Karen
Karen Langsfeld is a REALTOR® and Pricing Strategy Advisor (P.S.A.) with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach who works with many homeowners planning their next chapter. If you are weighing whether to stay or sell, she can prepare a free, no-pressure estimate of what your home would sell for and what you would net, so you can decide with real numbers. Start with the downsizing specialty page or the home valuation page.
Contact Karen at (215) 495-2914 or through the contact page.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (program page, 2025 PA-1000 instructions, and news releases of May 15 and August 27, 2026); Pennsylvania DCED (homestead exclusion).