The state announced Monday the amount of money homeowners can expect in property tax relief from slots revenue.

But some seniors and disabled residents are eligible for additional tax relief on top of that in a program lawmakers and government officials are trying to spread the word about.

Nearly 600,000 Pennsylvanians have signed up for the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, almost double the number receiving help before income limits were raised in 2006.

Still, some people who would qualify have been hesitant to sign up, either out of confusion or a lack of understanding, said state Sen. Pat Vance, who represents part of northern York County.

"They are a little nervous about how to do the form ... it may seem daunting" when it's actually fairly simple, Vance said

Renters, too: Some aren't aware the program covers renters, too, she added.

Her staff has helped people who come to her office fill out the forms.

Here are the program criteria:

---To qualify, you or your spouse must be 65 or older, or you must be a widow or widower age 50 or older; or you must be a permanently disabled person 18 or older.

---Your gross income cannot exceed $35,000 as a homeowner, or $15,000 as a renter.

---Rebates range from $250 to $650, or $975 in extreme cases.

---The deadline to apply is June 30.

First-time applicants need to get a form from the Department of Revenue, and will need to be able to verify their property tax bill, their income and

their age.

The form is available online and at Department of Revenue branch offices. It's also available at the York County Area Agency
on Aging, 100 W. Market St., Suite 102.

After the first year, the Department of Revenue mails a form to those already in the program to register for another year.

Covered entire bill: More than 123,000 people have been able to cover their entire property tax bill because of a combination of the rebate and the reduction from slots revenue, according to Doug Harbach of the state Gaming Control Board.

State Rep. Ron Miller, R-Jacobus, pointed out, however, that almost none of those 123,000 people live in York County.

To qualify for the slots revenue tax relief money, homeowners have to contact their municipality -- not the school district -- and file for homestead status.

The tax relief is then automatically deducted from their tax bill. For most York County school districts, it amounts to about a $100 to $200 reduction, with York City being the exception at almost $500.

Local programs: Some school districts, such as Red Lion and Dallastown, also offer matching rebates for seniors and disabled residents.

Red Lion business manager Terry Robinson said the combination of matching rebates and slots relief can greatly reduce property taxes for some residents. Red Lion has had the program in place for three years.

For more information about the various tax relief programs, call 1-888-PATAXES, or visit the Department of Revenue online at http://revenue.state.pa.us/

-- Reach Andrew Shaw at 505-5431, ashaw@yorkdispatch.com or twitter.com/ydblogwork.