HARRISBURG, Feb. 25 – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, is reminding Clearfield County residents that Friday is the deadline to apply for homestead exemptions on property taxes.
“Only properties registered by March 1 as homesteads or farmsteads are eligible to receive a property tax reduction through the Homeowner Tax Relief Act,” George said. “To qualify, the property must be a resident’s permanent primary residence on which property taxes are paid.”
Although school districts were required to send applications by Dec. 31 to those not already exempt, applications and information are available at the Clearfield County Assessment Office, located on the first floor of the Courthouse annex in Clearfield, or through the county’s Web site. No fees are required.
“Residents whose applications were approved previously do not need to apply again as long as they live in the same home,” George said. “It was reported erroneously that residents have to reapply every three years, which is not the case.
“However, March 1 falls on a Sunday this year, and the office will close at 4 p.m. Friday.”
George said homeowners in Clearfield County received roughly $5 million in school property tax relief last year, and the relief should continue to grow.
“Revenues for property-tax relief are estimated to grow by $440 million over the coming year but not all of that money will be available this year,” George said. “This relief is over and above the help provided by the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program that enabled more than 2,200 county homeowners, and more than 113,000 seniors statewide, to have all their school property taxes rebated.”
The Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Applications for rebates on 2008 property taxes and rents are available online or by calling George’s Harrisburg office toll free at (1) 866 354-0890.
George noted that time may be running out to apply for heating assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP.
“The program was not extended last year and could close early this year if the funding is depleted,” George said. “It’s worth investigating because income limits were relaxed so that an individual making up to $23,110 – and a family of four making up to $44,443 – could qualify.”
The minimum cash grant – to help families pay heating bills – was tripled to $300. The maximum crisis grant – for heating emergencies like utility shutoffs, fuel shortages and equipment failures – is now $800.
More information is available through the toll-free LIHEAP hotline, (1) 866 857-7095. Applications are available at county assistance offices. The numbers for Clearfield County are 765-0684 and toll free at (1) 800 862-8941.
