SENECA, Pa. – The deadline for older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for a state rebate of up to $650 was recently extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, and state Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) and his district office staff can help local residents with the application process.

“If someone qualifies for the program, but missed the June 30 deadline, they can still apply for this rebate of up to $650,” James said. “We want to help as many qualified applicants as possible so they can benefit from these rebates.”

The rebates are provided through Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975.

As of June 1, the department had received 432,411 rebate applications. Rebate distributions began July 1. Rebates are distributed as claims are received and processed. Applications typically take six to eight weeks to process.

For the 2017 program year, more than $253 million was paid to income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities who applied for rebates on rent and property taxes.

Eligibility information and forms are available at www.RepJames.com by clicking the “Property Tax/Rent Rebate” link under the “Resources” tab. Residents also can visit James’ Seneca office located at 3220 State Route 257, Suite 8. Interested persons can call the office by dialing 814-677-6413.

“My staff and I are here to help people throughout the application process,” James said. “We can help people with the initial application and also help them check on the status of their rebate.”

Residents are reminded that assistance in filling out the applications is available free of charge at James’ district office. There is no need to pay a private firm for help.

Claimants who already applied for rebates may check the status of claims online at www.Revenue.Pa.Gov by clicking on the “Where’s My Property Tax/Rent Rebate?” link. Claimants may also call, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES to check the status of their rebates.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of five programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Since the program’s 1971 inception, qualified applicants have received billions of dollars in property tax and rent relief. The rebate program also receives funding from slots gaming.