The program begins July 1 and runs through October 15. Applicants must have a household income of $44,096 or less last year, be a U.S. citizen, designated alien or qualified alien when the claim is filed, and either be blind, disabled or over the age of 62 on December 31, 2007. Homeowners must have owned and lived in their home at the end of 2007. Renters must have paid at least $50 a month in rent and lived in property that was not tax-exempt.
Assistance payments range from $15 to $347 for renters and $20 to $472 for homeowners depending on the claimant's total income.
Volunteer assistance sites are available for individuals who would like free help completing a claim form—more than 75,000 Californians were helped by these sites last year. To find a claim form or view a list of volunteer assistance locations, visit FTB's website. Information on the program is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Korean through the website.
The State Controller's Office also allows qualified individuals the option of delaying their property tax payments through the Property Tax Postponement Program. For more information about this program, visit the State Controller's website.
