Thousands More Seniors to Qualify For Help from the State
by Eileen Doherty, Executive Director
Senior Answers and Service
and the Colorado Gerontological Society
The state of Colorado estimates that thousands more seniors will be eligible for
help in 2009 through the Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate program. In the past, many individuals were eligible to receive a
rebate from the state of Colorado on their property tax/rent/heat that was paid in the previous year. But as the cost of living
increased, more and more people received either a very small amount of money or were no longer eligible for help.
Starting in 2009, the state has remedied this situation by increasing the income guidelines,
thus making more seniors eligible for the program. The program is now available to individuals age 65, (surviving widows age 58
and over) and to disabled individuals whose annual income is less than $12,000. Couples who make less than $15,700 per year are
also eligible.
Other requirements include being a resident of Colorado during the entire year of 2008,
being lawfully present in the United States, not being claimed as a dependent on another person’s federal income tax return,
and paying property tax, rent and/or heating expenses.
Applicants must complete and sign the “Affidavit — Restrictions on Public Benefits”
as well as include on the 104PTC form a valid Colorado driver’s license number or Colorado identification number. Individuals who
have an identification card without an expiration date will have to obtain a new card through the Colorado Department of Motor
Vehicles.
The address on the application for the rebate must match the address of record on
the driver’s license and/or the identification card. Addresses can be updated by submitting a change of address form to the
Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles.
Depending on income, individuals who are eligible to receive a maximum of $600
in tax/rent rebate and up to an additional $192 in the heat rebate. Individuals who file by March 10 will receive the first
quarterly installment by April 15. Individuals can file until December 31, 2010 for this rebate.
Individuals who have less than $11,000 in annual income ($14,700 for couples) in 2007
can file for the rebate until December 31, 2009. The same filing instructions apply.
Most tax preparation sites can assist with preparing the rebate form after January
1, 2009. To complete the application, individuals need the amount of monthly income from all sources, the amount of rent or
property tax that was paid in 2008, and the amount of heat that was paid in the previous year, as well as their Colorado
driver’s license number or their Colorado identification number.
The payment can be direct deposited into a bank account if the individual desires.
For more information with filing the form, call 303-333-3482 or contact your local
tax preparation site.
Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of Senior
Answers and Services and the Colorado Gerontological Society, 3006 East Colfax, Denver CO 80206.
She has more than 30 years of experience in education and training, clinical practice, research,
and public policy in gerontology. You may reach her at 303-333-3482 or Doherty001@att.net
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