Please support HB 1253
The property tax Rebate program provides critical financial relief to many low income people with disabilities. It is very tough for people with disabilities to maintain a home—it is often the only security people have and with a fixed income there is no room for extras. If someone is on Medicaid they cannot even save for emergencies if they did have a bit of extra money. This small rebate is a lifeline to many people. These funds are spent right away in the local community on necessities including critical home repairs.
It is always good public policy to help people with disabilities and the elderly stay in our homes rather than having us forced out often due to a small need that can often be solved with this program that gives a small amount of cash as a refund after one pays for property tax (via mortgage or rent). This needs to get out of committee so that we can get it in appropriations committee for the budget process. The bill requests an allocation of an additional $17.5 M from current appropriation to help more people.
The bill increases the income limit for the current program from $12, 313 to $28,000 per year for an individual and from $16,205-$32,000 for couples. It also creates a flat grant for the lesser of $227 or the actual amount of property tax paid and $73 or the actual amount of heat or fuel paid. This will help some folks who are struggling and not getting any other benefits like food stamps.
House Finance Committee 2012
Representative DelGrosso, Chairman;: 303-866-2947 brian@briandelgrosso.com
Representative Swerdfeger, Vice-Chairman; 303-866-2905: keith.swerdfeger.house@state.co.us
Acree,: 303-866-2944 : cindy.acree.house@state.co.us
Beezley, 303-866-4667: don.beezley.house@state.co.us
Conti, 303-866-2953: kathleen.conti.house@state.co.us
Hullinghorst,: 303-866-2915 dl.hullinghorst.house@state.co.us
Joshi, 303-866-2937: janak.joshi.house@state.co.us
Kagan, 303-866-2921 repkagan@gmail.com
Kefalas, 303-866-4569: john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
Labuda, 303-866-2966: replabuda@yahoo.com
McCann, 303-866-2959 beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Pabon, 303-866-2954: dan.pabon.house@state.co.us
Swalm 303-866-5510: spencer.swalm.house@state.co.us
