Heroes in Cumberland County Rewarded with Tax Credits for Their Dedication to Community Service

Volunteer firefighters and EMS workers in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania have received recognition for their service in the form of payments worth up to $250. The payments were made possible through a Real Estate Tax Credit program, which was established last year as a way to show appreciation for the essential volunteer workers.

Based on the Cumberland County Commissioner Jean Foschi, the tax credit recognizes the hard work put in by volunteers to support the residents of the county. It also helps to keep volunteers involved and attract new ones. Maintaining volunteer involvement is especially important for smaller counties as they heavily depend on volunteers for crucial services and their participation helps lower expenses.

To be eligible for the credit, as reported by The US Sun on February 1, 2023, applicants must have submitted an application, which is no longer available. To qualify, one must have been an active volunteer firefighter or EMS worker, have been injured while on an emergency call and unable to continue serving, or have paid property taxes as an eligible volunteer. The fire chief or EMS manager must confirm the volunteer’s good standing, and a verified copy of the volunteer’s real estate tax receipt must be submitted.

In addition to this program, several states have offered direct payments and rebates to essential workers as a token of thanks for their bravery during the pandemic. For example, Minnesota’s Frontline Worker Program provided over 1 million essential workers with one-time payments of $487.45, and Connecticut and Florida have implemented similar programs. Connecticut is even sending out bonus checks worth up to $1,000 to thousands of workers today.