PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE
Representative Julie Harhart Senior Update Summer 2010
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 432

Annual Senior Expo

Thursday, August 19
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Allen Township Fire Hall
3530 Howertown Road
Northampton, PA
Please mark your calendar for my annual Senior Expo to be
held at the Allen Township Fire Hall, 3530 Howertown Road in
Northampton.
This event, which attracts hundreds of people each
year, is set aside to provide a wealth of information about
programs and services available from local, state and federal
governments.
My staff and I always enjoy meeting with local seniors and
their families during the expo, and I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Services to be offered by the more than 70 providers in attendance at the Senior Expo include:
• Collection of old glasses (no sunglasses), information on donation and transplantation
(Northeast Pennsylvania Lion Eye Bank).
• Free health insurance counseling.
• Fall prevention for seniors and balance screening.
• Consumer education regarding utility matters, support and assistance to those directly
affected by crimes, domestic violence information.
• Personal response emergency call services, hospital home care equipment.
• Assistance in answering questions on filing PA 1000.
• Metro plus door-to-door services and riding LANTA buses.
• Food stamps information.
• Information on skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, short term
rehabilitation and home health aides.
• Near and far acuity and peripheral vision screening (Center for Vision Loss).
• Free blood pressure screening.
• Questions answered pertaining to shopping for electricity provider (PPL Electric Utilities).

Directions to Allen Township Fire Hall: From Route 145, follow to Route 329 and go east into
Northampton. Follow Route 329 through Northampton to the intersection at Weaversville and
Howertown Roads (gas station is on your left). At the stop light, turn left onto Howertown Road. Fire
Hall is about one mile on the right.
 Deadline to Apply for
Property Tax/Rent Rebate
Program Extended
The deadline to apply for the state’s Property
Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 has been
extended to Dec. 31, 2010.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate
of up to $650 based on their rent or property
taxes paid in 2009. The program benefits eligible
Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows
and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years
or older with disabilities.
Eligibility income limits for homeowners are
set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of
Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and
Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits:
• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate
(Homeowners and renters)
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate
(Homeowners and renters)
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate
(Homeowners only)
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate
(Homeowners only)
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one
of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania
Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support
programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the
program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has
been paid to qualified applicants.
Residents are reminded to provide all
the necessary income, property tax or rental
information required to process claims quickly and
accurately.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are
available by contacting my offices, or by visiting my
website at JulieHarhart.com.
Happy Birthday!
Rep. Harhart
presented Agnes
Klutsarits with
a citation from
the Pennsylvania
House of
Representatives
in honor of her
90th birthday on
Feb. 6.
Insurance Department Web
Page Can Be Excellent
Resource for Senior Citizens
Older Pennsylvanians who have questions
about insurance coverage can find information
through the state Insurance Department’s
website.
Many senior citizens have contacted me with
numerous questions they have about health care
plans, life insurance, Medicare, long-term care
plans, auto coverage, and annuities, as well as
how to protect your identity in insurance matters.
A web page within the Insurance Department
is designed to help answer common questions
about insurance coverage. The page can be
accessed by logging onto www.ins.state.pa.us
and choosing “Services for Consumers” on the
left-hand navigation bar, then “Why You Need
Insurance” and then “Insurance by life stage:
Older Pennsylvanians.”
In addition to senior citizens, family members
and caregivers are encouraged to visit the site
as well. Specific links are designed with their
questions in mind.
Consumers who do not have Internet access
or who may want to talk with a representative
of the Insurance Department may also call the
department’s Bureau of Consumer Services’
Automated Hotline at (877) 881-6388.
Anna Groller was presented with a citation from
Rep. Harhart in celebration of her 90th birthday
on Feb. 22.
 Qualified Individuals are Eligible to Receive Free Eye Care
Pennsylvania’s seniors could qualify for medical eye care with no out-of-
pocket cost.
EyeCare America (ECA), a public service program founded by the
Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1985, provides
free medical eye care to seniors throughout the country.
The mission of ECA is to reduce preventable blindness and serious visual
impairment by raising consciousness about eye disease and health care
options. By distributing informational materials and serving as a resource for
high-risk individuals, ECA has helped countless people get medical attention
for diseases that cost the U.S. government upward of $4 billion annually. In
Pennsylvania alone, ECA has helped more than 27,820 people.
Eye Care America offers multiple eye care programs for which individuals
may qualify. Those who call will be asked several questions in order to
decide which program best suits their individual needs. Some seniors, those
who have not seen an ophthalmologist in three years or longer, are eligible
to receive a referral for an office visit at no cost to them.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy
and glaucoma are all treatable conditions in their early stages, yet remain
leading causes of disabilities. AMD is the leading cause of legal blindness in people 65 years or older in
the United States and affects more than 10 million Americans, according to the National Eye Institute.
For more information, call 1-800-222-EYES (1-800-222-3937) or visit eyecareamerica.org. The
helpline operates 24 hours a day, every day, year round.

Millions in Lottery Proceeds Benefit Local Seniors

Senior citizens in Northampton and Lehigh counties benefited from more than $142 million in
proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The proceeds fund the Area Agencies on Aging, local senior centers, the PACE and PACENET
prescription drug assistance programs, shared and free rides, and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate
initiative.
The lottery is self-sustaining and does not use taxpayer’s dollars. It assists eligible seniors to more
easily afford their medication, transportation, rent and property taxes.
In 2008-09, proceeds totaling more than $78 million benefited senior citizens in Lehigh County and
more than $64 million benefited senior citizens in Northampton County and included funding for the
following programs:

In Lehigh County:
• $4.6 million for the county’s Area Agency on Aging and senior centers.
• $6.3 million for PACE and PACENET.
• $2.2 million for the Shared and Free Ride Program.
• $7 million for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

In Northampton County:
• $3.7 million for the county’s Area Agency on Aging and senior centers.
• $7.9 million for PACE and PACENET.
• $2.2 million for the Shared and Free Ride Program.
• $6.1 million for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

The Pennsylvania Lottery is unique in that it remains the only lottery

in the nation that exclusively targets all of its proceeds to programs
for older residents.
Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for PACE, PACENET
or the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program should visit my
Web site or contact my office.

JulieHarhart.com
 Free Legal Resource Available
The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) publishes A Legal Guide for Senior Citizens.
In it, you will find guidance on financial and estate planning, elder care, wills and trusts,
income tax preparation, Social Security and retirement benefits, insurance, consumer
protection and fraud prevention, housing options and long-term care to name just a few.
To view a copy of the legal guide online, go to the PBA’s website at www.pabar.org and
click on ‘Law-Related Public Education,’ then ‘Law-Related Information for Consumers’ and
then ‘Legal Guide for Senior Citizens’; or you are asked to contact the PBA at 800-932-0311
ext. 2280 for permission to reprint.
A great resource if you are looking for information
on what programs and services are available
Reminder to Those with for seniors in your community is your local Area
Agency on Aging. Below is contact information
Handicap Placards for Area Agencies on Aging serving the 183rd
Legislative District.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind
residents who have a “Person
with Disability Placard” Northampton County Area
(handicap placard) that the Agency on Aging
cards are only to be displayed
when the vehicle is parked, so Governor Wolf Building
as not to obstruct the person’s 45 N. Second St.
view while driving. Easton, PA 18042-7740
Tel: (610) 559-3245
Toll free: (800) 322-9269

Statewide elder abuse Lehigh County Area

hotline: 1-800-490-8505 Agency on Aging

Any person who believes that an older adult is 17 S. 7th St., Room 230
being abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned Allentown, PA 18101-2401
may call the elder abuse hotline. The hotline is Tel: (610) 782-3034
open 24 hours a day.

District Office Services
My district offices are here to help you.
Services my staff and I provide include:
 Driver’s license and vehicle
registration applications and renewals
 PACE and PACENET applications
 Property Tax and Rent Rebate
applications
 State tax forms
 Free state maps, state park
information, and PA Vacation Guides
 Copies of legislation
 Tours of the State Capitol
 Referrals to agencies to resolve
state-related matters
If you need help with any of the above or
with any other state-related
matter, please do not hesitate to call one
of my district offices.
State Representative
Julie Harhart
183rd Legislative District
DISTRICT OFFICES:
2030 Center Street / Northampton, PA 18067
Phone: 610-502-2701 / FAX: 610-502-2704
Slatington Borough Hall / 125 S. Walnut St. (1st Floor)
Slatington, PA 18080
Phone: (610) 760-9805 / FAX: (610) 821-6109
HARRISBURG OFFICE:
313 Main Capitol / PO Box 202183
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2183
Phone: (717) 772-5398 / FAX: (717) 783-7667
Website: JulieHarhart.com
Email: JHarhart@pahousegop.com