New Property Tax/Rent Rebate Expansion!

I was incredibly proud to support the first expansion of Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) last year which makes thousands more older and disabled Pennsylvanians eligible for rebates on their rent and property taxes. The expansion increases both the maximum rebate and the income cap for eligibility, and provides for automatic annual increases to the income cap. It is an important step toward providing property tax relief to the most vulnerable among us. 

To qualify for the program, you must be 65 or older, a widow or widower age 50 or older, or a disabled person age 18 or older. The program also continues to exclude one-half of Social Security income. The expansion:

• Increases the maximum standard rebate from?$650 to $1,000.
• Increases the income cap?from $35,000 to $45,000?for homeowners. 
• Increases the income cap?from $15,000 to $45,000?for renters. 
• Automatically increases the income cap to?grow with inflation?in years to come. 

The standard rebate changes are reflected below:

Income:	Maximum Rebate:
$0 - $8,000	$1,000
$8,001 - $15,000	$770
$15,001 - $18,000	$460
$18,001 - $45,000	$380

The PTRR application period is open now and the Department of Revenue is encouraging eligible residents to submit an application as soon as possible. Doing so will help the Department verify and process applications from first-time applicants, who are required to submit supporting documentation to verify their age and eligibility. To apply and for more information on the program go to Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (pa.gov).

My office helps hundreds of individuals file for their rebates every year. If you need assistance applying or have a question about the new expansion, call us at 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at [email protected]. We are here to help!

Upcoming Events

2024 Event Planning Survey

We’re planning our 2024 Events Schedule but need to know what types of events would be most beneficial to you and your families! Please help us plan by filling out a brief survey. https://senatorlindseywilliams.com/survey/ We look forward to seeing you in 2024!

My office is now scheduling AARP Tax-Aide appointments!

The AARP Tax-Aide Program is up and running at the Shaler Undercliff Fire Company and the Ross Township Community Center. This program provides free tax assistance and tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on those 50 or older. To schedule your free appointment, please call the office at 412-364-0469. 

For more information, visit AARP Tax-Aide Allegheny County, PA (taxaide-pittsburgh.com).

Whole-Home Repairs Program Policy Hearing

On February 2nd, Senators Nikil Saval, Katie Muth, Wayne Fontana, Jim Brewster, and I will host a hearing to take a deep dive into how PA’s Whole-Home Repairs program is working one and half years after passage. Whole-Home Repairs is a comprehensive home repair and workforce development program. Specifically, we will explore a case study of how the program is working in Allegheny County, from which we can pull best practices and lessons learned. We will also get a broader view of the program and common themes across the state.

This hearing will be at the Allegheny County Courthouse 4th Floor – Gold Room 436 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219. You can also attend virtually by registering in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEudeCpqj4iGdPUu55ouBm7l9opZicsOraK

VSO Appointments Available!

My office is offering American Legion Veterans Service Officer (VSO) appointments every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 1 pm! Appointments will rotate between my two district offices every month. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday, February 20, Natrona Heights office, 1826 Union Ave.
• Tuesday, March 19, Ross Township office, 5000 McKnight Road, Suite 405.

Whether you have a question or just need a fresh review of the benefits you’ve earned, call or email our office to schedule a one-on-one appointment: 412-364-0469 (Ross) 724-224-2131 (Harrison). Appointments fill up quickly!

Good News

2023 Throwback - Marine Birthday Ball

In November I had the privilege to be the Guest of Honor at the Marine Corps League, Allegheny Valley Det. 827 Marine Birthday Ball. It was a wonderful evening spending time with the leadership and members. Thank you all for your service to our country and for all you continue to do for our community.

Meeting with Undercliff VFC and Peebles VFC

This month, I met with Ryan Pontzloff from Shaler Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company and Lou Flores and other members of Peebles Volunteer to talk about the ongoing needs of our local volunteer fire departments. Each of these departments is looking to expand their facilities and their capacities so that they can meet the ever-evolving needs of their communities. I’m incredibly proud to support our local volunteer fire fighters, who spend thousands of hours away from their families every year to train, prepare, and keep our communities safe.

Supporting Adda Coffee Workers Unionizing Efforts

I was proud to join Adda Coffee's former employees, labor leaders, and local elected officials last Tuesday. We rallied in support of these workers, who were terminated when Adda Coffee closed shortly after employees stated their intent to unionize. Even in freezing weather, Pittsburgh stands up for workers!

Medical Coverage for Donated Human Milk

Tuesday was Maternal Health Awareness Day. Maternal mortality rates and complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain significant challenges. In 2022 in Pennsylvania, the overall pregnancy-associated mortality rate was reported as 82 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women were twice as likely to die of pregnancy-related deaths, with 163 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022.

We are taking some steps to help protect new families, including the recent passage and enacting of Act 32, which provides medical coverage for pasteurized donor human milk for those families who need it. Last week, we celebrated the passage of this important legislation at the Home - Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank (MAMMB). MAMMB does an amazing job of processing, safely storing, and distributing donated milk so that medically fragile babies can receive the milk that they need to survive and thrive.

Legislative Update

Senate Rules Reform

It has been a year since Senator Katie Muth and I proposed new operating rules for the Senate that would promote transparency and good governance, as well as protect everyone who interacts with Senators and Senate staff against sexual harassment.

Unfortunately, in that year, we've gotten no closer to enacting these rules. As we enter the second half of the 2023-24 Session, I'm asking my colleagues to join me in supporting rule changes that ensure we are getting things done for the people of Pennsylvania and protecting victims of sexual harassment in the Senate.

Reminder to Apply for LIHEAP

January has been very cold and snowy! If you are struggling with your heating bills you should consider applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program that helps low-income Pennsylvanians with home heating bills. This year the 2023-24 LIHEAP season runs from November 1, 2023 - April 5, 2024. Don’t delay, apply today!

See the graphics above for outlines of the program and ways to apply. Apply online and read more about LIHEAP, including crisis grants, at LIHEAP (pa.gov).

Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs

Cutting your energy use doesn’t have to be complicated. See the graphics above for some simple tips and tricks provided by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

Mail-in Ballot Applications Explained

On January 9th, the Allegheny County Elections Division mailed out the first batch of mail-in ballot and absentee ballot applications for the 2024 election cycle. This application process can be a little confusing, so we thought an explainer in this week’s newsletter would be helpful!

Act 77 of 2019 requires county elections offices to automatically mail a Pennsylvania  Application for Mail-in Ballot or  Pennsylvania Applications for Absentee Ballot by the first Monday in February to voters who were “permanent” mail-in voters the previous year. Voters can complete the paper application and return it to their county elections office or complete the same application online.

Note that a “permanent” mail-in or absentee ballot voter is a person who submitted an application requesting to vote by mail for the entire year. The Pennsylvania election calendar year runs from February to February. 

I want to keep voting by mail all year.

To vote in every election for the year by mail, you must complete a mail-in or absentee ballot application online or on paper every year. Be sure to check box 7 on the paper form or “Yes” in the Annual Mail-in Request section of the online form. You will receive ballots by mail for every election until February of the following year.

I want to be able to choose whether to vote in person or by mail during the year.

When you want to vote by mail, you must complete a mail-in or absentee ballot application online or on paper at least a week before the Primary or General Election. The deadline is always the Tuesday before Election Day at 8 pm, but we recommend submitting your application well before the deadline to give the Elections Division plenty of time to verify your voter registration and mail you a ballot, which must be received back in the Elections Division by Election Day. 

I want to vote in-person all year.

Do not complete the application. You will not receive mail-in ballots for the year and you can vote in-person.

I changed my mind and I am a permanent mail-in voter. 

You can cancel your annual mail ballot request. Fill out a Request to Cancel My Ballot Form (en español). You will no longer receive mail-in ballots for the year. You will no longer receive a paper request form by February for mail ballots the following year. If you change your mind and want to vote by mail ballot in the future, you will need to submit a new request.

For more information on voting by mail go to Mail-in and Absentee Ballot (pa.gov).

Free Review of Denied Medical Claims

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has a new website where individuals can file to request an independent external review of a medical claim that has been denied by their health insurance plan and has gone through their internal insurance appeal process.

For full info and or to start a claim: https://iro.insurance.pa.gov/

There is no cost for consumers to submit a review request.

CPF Multi-Purpose Community Facility Grant Program Opened

NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY! The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has announced the CPF Multi-Purpose Community Facility Grant Program! The application window opened Monday, January 22nd and closes April 20th.

The CPF Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Improvement Program Guidelines is a $45 Million competitive grant program to provide grants to Community Anchor Institutions and local governments for community projects to construct, acquire, or improve facilities that are, or will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education, and health monitoring at the respective facility.

Grants will range from $250K to $2 million with no matching requirements. 

Examples of Community Anchor Institutions include but are not limited to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, health centers, rec centers, municipal or county government owned buildings, and public libraries.

Check out details here: COVID-19 ARPA PA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program - PA Department of Community & Economic Development. 

Feedback on Medical Debt Needed!

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network & Just Harvest are working together on listening sessions for anyone affected by medical debt. See above for additional information. You can share your story by calling/texting 412-643-2349 or emailing [email protected]. 

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 (Harrison Office) or by email at [email protected]. My staff will return your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

Senator Lindsey Williams