Tax Relief and Assistance Resources

Tax Relief Resources for City Residents

The City is committed to connecting residents with resources that may help reduce the financial burden of taxes and essential household costs. This page provides information on a variety of tax relief and assistance programs available to City residents through county and state agencies, as well as utility providers. Although these programs are administered by external entities and not by the City, eligible residents are encouraged to explore the available options and apply for support.

Act 77 – Senior Citizen Tax Relief

Act 77, Senior Citizen Tax Relief, entitles qualified senior citizen homeowners to a discount on the real estate tax of their primary residence. Eligible Taxpayers will receive a discount of 30% on the real property tax due on their primary residence.

  • Eligibility Criteria for Act 77 includes:
    • Property Ownership: Applicant must have owned and occupied a primary residence in Allegheny County continuously for the past ten (10) years.
    • Age:
      • Applicant or applicant’s spouse must be 60 or older; or
      • Be a widow or widower age 50 to 60; or
      • Permanently disabled and over the age of 18.
    • Income: Total household income must be $30,000 or less. For calculating income, use only 50% of your Social Security Benefit, SSI and Railroad Retirement Benefits (except Medicare benefits); plus, all other income must be added in at 100%.

Act 50 - Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion

Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion (Act 50) provides for a reduced property tax assessment on owner-occupied, primary residences for Allegheny County tax purposes only. The Act 50 Exclusion provides a $18,000 reduction in assessed value for Allegheny County real property taxation, and results in $115 in annual savings of county taxes for most residents.

  • Properties that may qualify for the Homestead Exclusion include:
    • Owner-occupied residential property and certain farmstead properties
    • Church's rectory or manse that is a primary residence
    • Property with "mixed" commercial and residential use (for instance, a dentist who has an office on the first floor of a building and resides on the top floor)
    • Property in a trust that is still used as a primary residence for an individual
    • Property owned by honorably discharged wartime veterans having 100% service-connected disability
  • Apply here for Act 50 - Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion
  • To see if you already have an application on file, visit the Allegheny County Real Estate Site. The "General Information" tab for your property will show "Yes" in the Homestead line on the left side of the web page if your application is on file.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible applicants.

  • Eligibility Criteria for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program includes:
    • Age:
      • 65 and older; or
      • Widows and widowers 50 and older; or
      • People with disabilities 18 and older.
    • Income:
      • In addition to age requirements, annual total household income must be $48,110 or less. 
  • Apply here for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

 

Utility Assistance

Pittsburgh Water Customer Assistance Program

Learn more and apply here

ALCOSAN Clean Water Assistance Fund

  • The ALCOSAN Clean Water Assistance Fund is a program administered by Dollar Energy, in partnership with ALCOSAN. It helps eligible, low-income families and individuals meet the cost of their ALCOSAN bill. The Fund is $57 every three months.

Learn more and apply here

Duquesne Light Customer Assistance Program

  • Duquesne Light’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) assists low-income customers pay their bill with an ongoing, affordable monthly payment. Eligible customers can receive a reduced monthly bill, debt forgiveness and security deposit waiver, if needed. CAP monthly payments are determined based on income level and household size.

Learn more and apply here

Peoples Gas Customer Assistance Program

  • Peoples Gas offers a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for customers with a fixed income. Eligible customers are given an affordable monthly payment to maintain service by paying between 4-6% of their total monthly before-tax income.

Learn more and apply here

Dollar Energy Fund

  • The Dollar Energy Fund provides grants for limited-income customers who are facing a hardship paying their utility bills.
  • How to access Dollar Energy Fund resources:
    • Contact your utility company to determine eligibility
    • Submit application
    • Assistance grant is applied directly to utility account

Learn more about the Dollar Energy Fund

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

  • The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills. From December 3, 2025, to May 8, 2026, residents can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill, ranging from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type.
  • The cash grant is a one-time payment and will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill.

Learn more and apply here

 

last updated: 04/24/2026

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