WILKES-BARRE – Following his efforts to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program for the first time in nearly 20 years, Governor Josh Shapiro announced this week that more than 100,000 first-time filers have already submitted their refund claims this year.
That means a significant group of Pennsylvania’s older residents and people with disabilities will receive critical help through the PTRR program for the first time ever, thanks to the expansion passed by both parties last year.
To date, the tax office has received a total of over 515,000 applications for a reduction in the property tax and rent paid in the previous year. This represents an increase of 22% in applications compared to the same period last year – and almost 94% of the reductions received so far have already been approved for payment.
“After hearing from seniors across the state that they were struggling with rising costs, we took action in my first year in office to expand the Property Tax and Rent Refund program so it continues to serve as a lifeline for older Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said. “We are now seeing the impact of this important work – more than 100,000 Pennsylvanians who were historically ineligible for this benefit have submitted their refund claims this year. At the same time, there are many more Pennsylvanians who are eligible for a refund but have not yet applied. I want everyone to know that they can check their eligibility and learn how to apply for a refund at pa.gov/PTRR. There is still plenty of time before the December 31 deadline.”
Pat Browne, finance minister, said the agency has managed the PTRR program for more than 50 years.
“So we know firsthand how important these rebates are for older Pennsylvanians and residents with disabilities,” Brown said. “Our staff worked extremely hard during the first seven months of the year to make sure we were providing as much customer support as possible to the people who benefit from this program. We’ll keep that up for the rest of the year so we can help as many eligible Pennsylvanians as possible.”
Eligibility/Submission
The PTRR program benefits eligible Pennsylvania residents ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities ages 18 and older.
Applying for a refund is free, and help is available at hundreds of locations across the state: county tax office offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, and state legislators’ offices. You must reapply for a refund each year because it is based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid in the previous year.
Since its inception in 1971, the PTRR program has provided over $8 billion in property tax and rent relief to some of Pennsylvania’s neediest residents. The PTRR program is supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and receives money from gambling.
DMVA offers financial support for eligible children of veterans for higher education
With the start of a new school year upon us, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is offering financial assistance for higher education to eligible children of veterans.
The DMVA’s Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and who served in times of war or armed conflict, or to children of veterans who died in the line of duty during a war or armed conflict.
“The Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance for higher education to children of eligible veterans who have made incredible sacrifices for our country,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and DMVA director. “This program allows us to give back to the families who have endured the sacrifices of their loved ones who served. We encourage all who are eligible to apply for this program now that the school year is upon us.”
“This program can be applied to both colleges and vocational schools across the Commonwealth,” said Brigadier General (PA) Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “These educational awards will add up over time and can really make a difference for the children of those who served, no matter what educational path they take.”
About the program:
The Educational Gratuity Program supports children of veterans who were honorably discharged, who have 100% permanent service-connected disabilities, and who served during a war or armed conflict, as well as children of veterans who died in service during a war or armed conflict.
The eligible child must be between the ages of 16 and 23, must have lived in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for five years prior to applying, and must attend a school within the Commonwealth. All applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Payments to each accredited educational institution over a total of eight trimesters or semesters will not exceed USD 500 per trimester or semester per eligible child.
To apply, contact the County Director of Veterans Affairs in the county where you live.
For more information about program criteria, eligibility, and required documentation, visit the Educational Gratuity Program page of the DMVA website.
Pa. announces proposed health insurance for 2025 Interest rate hikes; encourages public comment
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) announced this week that 2025 rate changes requested by insurance companies currently operating in Pennsylvania’s individual and small group markets are now available online.
The rate applications for the 2025 health insurance plans were submitted to the PID on May 15, 2024.
Since then, PID has been working with insurers to review rate changes proposed by these insurance companies, as rates vary by plan and region and may be changed by the Ministry to ensure reasonable and fair rates.
The final approved tariffs will be announced in the autumn.
“At PID, we see the true value of transparency at every point in the rate review process,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “That’s why we make it a point to inform Pennsylvanians each year about the proposed rate increases their insurers are asking for. By doing so, we hope to build on the trust we’ve already earned with consumers while reinforcing our mission to put their interests first.”
Insurance companies that offer health insurance plans for individuals and small groups must submit their proposed rates to the PID for review and approval before they can be sold to consumers. This serves as an important consumer protection. The department reviews rates to make sure the plans are reasonable – not excessive or inadequate – and not unfairly discriminatory.
One reason health insurers are required to file their plans annually is to ensure that plan prices reflect expected claims and operating costs for the coming year. For the 2025 plan year, the common reasons submitted by insurers for the requested rate increases revolve around increases in unit medical costs. These include rising drug costs, increased health care labor costs, and medical service utilization.
Most insurers’ requests for rate changes show an average premium increase of about 8%, which appears to be below the national average. The proposed rates may not reflect the final reinsurance or risk adjustment amounts because insurers are given flexibility in submitting the data needed to calculate the adjustments.
Insurers currently operating in the individual market and planning to sell plans in 2025 have filed plans requesting an average nationwide increase of 7.9%.
Public comments on tariff requests and submissions will be accepted until September 2, 2024, and may be emailed to — (email protected).
Garrity announces a month of ABLE webinars to Celebrate National ABLE Savings Day on August 14
Treasurer Stacy Garrity, chair of the national ABLE Savings Plans Network (ASPN), announced this week that in celebration of the first national ABLE Savings Day on August 14, several free webinars will be hosted throughout August by experts from the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program.
Webinars will explain how ABLE accounts can help people with disabilities and their families save without affecting their eligibility for important benefits.
“ABLE programs provide fantastic opportunities for people with disabilities and their families to save for the future that were previously impossible,” said Treasurer Garrity. “My goal is to ensure that everyone who can benefit from an ABLE account is informed of its benefits and knows how to open one. Our own PA ABLE is one of the largest programs in the country and is growing rapidly.”
This month’s webinars include:
• ABLE Account 101
Monday, August 12, 2 p.m.
Join Mark Raymond Jr. and other ABLE experts to learn more about ABLE accounts. Mark will give a 30-minute presentation covering all things ABLE (what is ABLE, who qualifies, how it works – and much more). After the presentation, attendees will be able to ask questions live.
• Learn more about PA ABLE
Tuesday, August 13, 6 p.m.
Webinar topics include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how a PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.
• How can employers promote ABLE as an accessibility tool?
Wednesday, August 14, 2 p.m.
This webinar is designed for self-advocates, employers, providers, and human resource professionals to learn about the power of ABLE accounts and innovative ways employers are supporting their employees with disabilities and family members using ABLE accounts. Webinar attendees will receive tools and strategies to help employers and job seekers make the most of ABLE accounts.
• I have an ABLE account, what now?
Wednesday, August 21, 2 p.m.
This webinar is designed for self-advocates, family members, and caregivers who have opened or are considering opening an ABLE account. It will walk you through the ins and outs of ABLE accounts and help you make the most of your financial opportunities.
All times are Eastern Standard.
The PA ABLE savings program provides people with disabilities and their families with the opportunity to gain greater control of their finances and plan for a more secure future.
To find out if you are eligible for a PA ABLE account, visit paable.gov.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter at @TLBillOBoyle.
