Approved applicants to Hempfield’s new senior tax rebate program should be getting their checks in the next few months.

Township officials are working on reviewing and approving the applications received so far from residents. Supervisors could approve an initial batch of payments in July.

“We would anticipate cutting the first round of checks in August for those and then any subsequent checks would probably get cut in September for the balance,” township manager Aaron Siko said.

The program was created in January after township supervisors added a 3-mill tax to fund the fire department. For residents who qualify, it will essentially wipe out the cost of the added tax, keeping their township property tax bills steady.

The tax increase doubled Hempfield Township’s millage rate to 6 mills and, in turn, doubled property tax bills starting this year. The change is only for the township’s portion of a property owner’s tax bill and does not affect the school or county millage rates.

The rebate application deadline is July 31.

Lloyd Fait, finance director, said applications received so far are being reviewed and a dollar amount still is being tabulated.

“I don’t know the number yet; we’re still in that initial process,” he said.

The rebate cost to the township was estimated at $85,000 to $140,000 to be taken out of the $1.6 million generated from 3 mills worth of taxes. There have been a substantial amount of seniors seeking the rebate, Siko said.

“We did receive a number of applications, certainly probably more than we had expected,” he said.

To qualify:

• At least one property owner must be 65 or older as of Jan. 1 of the tax year for which the rebate is being requested.

• The applicant has to have owned and lived in the home for at least five consecutive years.

• All township property taxes must be paid in full.

• A resident must meet 2025 income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: $60,100 for one person, $68,700 for two people, $77,300 for three people and $85,850 for four people.

Homeowners have to apply for the rebate annually and provide required documentation, such as tax forms and receipts. Applications and more information can be found here or at hempfieldtwp.com under the Living Here section. Anyone with questions can visit the township building at 1132 Woodward Drive or call 724-834-7232.