Q: I am a VITA volunteer preparing income tax returns for senior citizens. As part of that service we also prepare the Pennsylvania property tax/rent rebate forms. These rebates were due on July 1 and so far have not been received. I believe it is due to the budget dispute in Harrisburg but no official word has been given. Would you be able to determine when the checks might be distributed? Many senior citizens rely on these checks to help pay their current property taxes.

PAT MEUTE
Pittsburgh

A: Good news, Pat. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, there is no problem with the property tax/rent rebate program. In fact, the program is bigger this year. There is more money. More people are eligible.

Revenue Department spokeswoman Stephanie Weyant explained that the deadline for applying for the program has been extended to the end of the year. The first deadline was the end of June.

"By law, we aren't allowed to send rebate checks out until July 1," said Ms. Weyant. "This year, our first rebate checks went out on Monday, July 2."

Last year, the state sent out 314,000 rebates. This year, they've already met that number and will probably double it by year's end.

The increases are part of the Property Tax Relief Act, signed into law last year. It increases the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 for homeowners and raises the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650.

Renters with incomes of $8,000 or less will now receive the $650 rebate. Renters with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 will receive a $500 rebate.

If you are 65 or older, a widow or widower age 50 or older, or are 18 or older with a disability, you could be eligible for this rebate if your income is within program limits.

When figuring your annual income, you only have to count half of your Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.

So, in a nutshell, Pat, the checks are in the mail if seniors have received this rebate before. Ms. Weyant says those receiving it for the first time might be asked to give more information. That could delay the process, but the checks will be sent out as soon as they are processed.

To check on the status of your check, you can call the state's automated information number at 1-888-PATAXES (1-888-728-2937). Have your Social Security number and the amount of your rebate ready. You can also call 1-888-222-9190 for more information.

Q: I just received my latest Equitable Gas bill and the price per mcf went from $8.65 to $10.01 effective July 1. Do you have any info on better prices?

ED BRADLEY
McMurray

A: You are comparing apples to oranges here.

You say your Equitable price per mcf went from $8.65 to $10.01. Your price as of April 1 was $8.65 per mcf, or thousand cubic feet of gas. That's correct. Add on a gas cost adjustment charge of $2.10 per mcf and that brings your price per mcf to $10.75.

As of July 1, your price per mcf dropped to $8.17, plus a lower gas cost adjustment charge of $1.84. The total gas cost charge is $10.01. You actually are saving 74 cents per mcf. So, feel better.

Are there lower prices around? I doubt it. You may find a variable rate that would be a few cents lower, but that changes month by month. If I were you, Ed, I'd stay put.

This isn't a good time to shop. Oct. 1 may be a different story.

The prices your gas company charges usually change every three months. You can look for the next change then. That's usually a more active time in the gas choice market because it's the winter season.

We use a lot of natural gas in the winter. We pay a lot of attention to price.

Dominion Peoples Gas didn't change the cost of natural gas in July -- $8.47 per mcf of gas plus a gas cost adjustment charge of 82 cents per mcf.

Columbia Gas raised its price from 82 cents to 86 cents per ccf, one hundred cubic feet of gas. I don't have their gas cost adjustment figures, but I think you are still better off staying at Equitable Gas for now.