Eligible seniors and the disabled who qualify for
the 2002 Homeowner and Renter Assistance (HRA) program are urged
to wait until they receive the 2002 booklets before filing for the
2001 claim year, according to State Controller and chair of the
Franchise Tax Board Kathleen Connell.
The new booklets will be mailed beginning June 14 to coincide with
the annual HRA filing period, which begins July 1.
"Our elderly and disabled are deserving of these annual payments,"
said Controller Connell, "but for accurate processing, they
must use the current form. Annual changes made to the program are
not included on prior year forms, and if claimants use the wrong
form, it will delay their payment."
The Homeowner and Renter Assistance program provides a once-a-year
payment from the state to qualified homeowners and renters based
on property taxes directly paid by homeowners and indirectly paid
by renters. For the 2002 claim year, eligible homeowners can receive
a payment of up to $472.60, while renters can receive up to $347.50.
In addition to having paid property taxes or at least $50 in rent
during 2001, eligible claimants must have had a household income
of $37,119 or less, or gross income of $67,490 or less, and have
been at least 62 years of age or blind or disabled on December 31,
2001.
Eligible households can get the claim form from the FTB's Website
at www.ftb.ca.gov, or by calling
(800) 338-0505 after June 14.
Budget constraints will prevent staff at FTB field offices from
filling out claim forms; however, a statewide volunteer assistance
program will provide free claims assistance between July 1-October
15. To locate the nearest volunteer assistance center, visit FTB's
website at www.ftb.ca.gov, or
call either FTB at (800) 338-0505, your local Senior Citizens Information
and Referral Service or your state legislator's office.
