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November 9, 2007

Hunting License Reminder for Veterans

Sunday, November 11, 2007 marks Veteran’s Day across the country.  As Pennsylvania honors the men and women of our armed forces, the Game Commission reminds veterans of the state’s special hunting and furtaker licensing programs.

You or someone you know may qualify for reduced-fee, free, or lifetime licensing as a result of military service.  Licensing categories include:

• Resident Military Personnel -- Reduced-fee general hunting licenses are available to qualified residents on active and full-time duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Applicants must be currently assigned to a facility outside of the Commonwealth but on temporary leave here.
• PA National Guard -- Reduced-fee general hunting licenses available to qualified residents that, within the previous 24 months, were deployed overseas for a period of 180 consecutive days or more or were released early because of an injury or disease incurred in the line of duty.
• Reserves -- Armed Forces -- Reduced-fee general hunting licenses are available to qualified residents that, within the previous 24 months, were deployed overseas for a period of 180 consecutive days or more or were released early because of an injury or disease incurred in the line of duty.
• Prisoner of War -- Reduced-fee general hunting licenses are available to qualified residents that were imprisoned by enemy forces while in the service of the armed forces of the United States as certified by the appropriate branch.
• Free Resident Disabled Veteran -- These licenses are available to qualified resident applicants who are disabled veterans.
• Antlerless Deer Licenses – Armed forces antlerless deer licenses are available to qualified resident applicants who are full-time active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard.  Disabled veteran antlerless deer licenses are available to qualified resident applicants who are disabled war veterans.

Get complete details on Pennsylvania’s hunting and furtaker licensing programs, including those for resident armed forces and resident disabled veterans.  Access online licensing or download and print an application for standard postal processing.

Help With Home Heating Costs Available

Pennsylvanians struggling to make ends meet may be eligible for the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  Both cash and crisis grants are available to eligible households for home heating fuel and emergency furnace repairs.

Eligibility is determined by household size and income limits.  A family of four with an annual income of up to $30,975 can qualify for LIHEAP under the 2007-08 guidelines.  Household sizes and income limits for LIHEAP’s 2007-08 season are as follows:

1. $15,315
2. $20,535
3. $25,755
4. $30,975
5. $36,195
6. $41,415
7. $46,635
8. $51,855

Note: For each additional person add $5,220

Here is a brochure on how LIHEAP can help pay heating bills.  Apply online. Direct questions to 1-866-857-7095 or contact your local County Assistance Office.

2007 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is reaching out to more than 200,000 eligible seniors who have yet to apply for Pennsylvania’s expanded program.  The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.  Income limits have increased from $15,000 to $35,000 (excluding half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650.

The expanded household income limits and maximum rebate amounts are:

• $0 and $8,000              $650 rebate

• $8,001 to $15,000       $500 rebate

• $15,001 to $18,000     $300 rebate

• $18,001 to $35,000     $250 rebate

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue customer service center, available at 1-888-222-9190, is extending hours to help eligible seniors meet the December 31, 2007 deadline to apply for 2006 rebates.  Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 13, through the end of the year, the service center will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except for Nov. 24 and Dec. 29).  The call center will be open during regular business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Fridays and during the weeks of Thanksgiving (Nov. 19 –23) and Christmas (Dec. 24 – 28).

Forms and assistance also are available at PA Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of local telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.  Access relevant forms and information and get a list of commonly asked questions.  Download and print a brochure on the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

Millionaire Raffle Ticket Sales Begin

Dreaming of a green holiday and a very happy new year?  The Pennsylvania State Lottery will fulfill that dream for many on Saturday, December 29, 2007 by awarding 8,000 prizes totaling more than $6.4 million.

Pennsylvania’s largest Millionaire Raffle to date will offer the best odds ever established by the PA Lottery for winning a $1 million prize.  Each of the game’s $20 tickets offers a 1-in-125,000 chance of winning $1 million.  Five top prizes of $1 million cash; five prizes of $100,000 cash; 200 prizes of $1,000 cash; and 7,790 prizes of $100 cash will be awarded.

Ticket sales begin Friday, November 9, 2007 and will continue to be computer generated until the last ticket is sold or until 5 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2007.

The Millionaire Raffle drawing will be conducted during the Pennsylvania Lottery’s live drawing show on Dec. 29, 2007, at 7 p.m.  Get details on the raffle.  Locate licensed PA Lottery retailers.

The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents.  Since its inception 36 years ago, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $17.4 billion to programs.  Get more information on Lottery-funded benefit programs.

Restaurant Inspection Information Expanded

If you are planning to dine out over the holidays, you will be pleased to know you will have greater access to restaurant inspection results.  Fifteen municipalities and local health departments are joining the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for the first time to make the results of restaurant inspections available to the public.

Posting results of initial, follow-up, and annual restaurant inspections began to appear in 2006.  Since that time, the PA Department of Agriculture has invested in the necessary technology and worked with local health departments to expand the availability of restaurant inspection results.

The state inspection program has added the following local municipalities and health departments to the list:  

• Bucks County Health Department

• City of Franklin, Venango County

• City of New Castle, Lawrence County

• City of Sunbury, Northumberland County

• Millville Borough, Columbia County

• Montgomery Borough, Montgomery County

• Muncy Borough, Lycoming County

• Northumberland Borough, Northumberland County

• Township of Springfield, Delaware County

• City of York, York County

• City of Hazelton, Luzerne County

• City of Johnstown, Cambria County

• Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County

• Borough of Lehighton, Carbon County

• Borough of Bowmanstown, Carbon County

Local municipalities and health departments in the process of joining the program:

• City of Lock Haven, Clinton County

• City of Williamsport, Lycoming County

• City of Bethlehem, Lehigh County

• Wilkes-Barre City, Luzerne County

• Philadelphia Department of Public Health

• Erie Department of Health

• City of Allentown, Lehigh County

• Harrisburg City, Dauphin County

Get more information on Pennsylvania restaurant inspections.  Link directly to the database and select by facility, county, or zip code.

For questions and complaints regarding food safety and restaurant inspections, call toll-free at 1-866-366-3723.  Locate local health departments and phone numbers.

Reporting Underage Drinking

In partnership with parents, students, community leaders, law enforcement officers, and university officials, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (LCE) works to combat underage and binge drinking across the state.

During the upcoming holiday season, the Pennsylvania State Police and the LCE are reminding the public of the toll-free number for reporting underage and binge drinking throughout the state.  Dial 1-888-UNDER 21 (1-888-863-3721) to provide tips about planned events or those already underway that involve underage drinking.  Calls requiring immediate attention are directed to the appropriate agency.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Access information on underage drinking and alcohol awareness programs.  Visit the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Bureau of Education for information on responsible alcohol use.

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