Named after an electrical circuit breaker that’s meant to prevent an electrical circuit from being overloaded, the program is meant to prevent low-income Utahns from being overloaded by rent or property taxes.

Those who qualify can receive up to $1,259 in rent relief, and the application may only take 20 to 30 minutes to submit.

That’s according to Jerry Schmidt, a retired senior services caseworker who, along with other low-income advocates, called a news conference at the Utah Capitol on Thursday to raise awareness of the program, which they said is “underutilized” because many of those who could benefit from it most may have no idea that it exists.

There are two prongs to the Circuit Breaker program — one for renters, and one for homeowners. The homeowner low-income abatement tax credit (including those who own mobile homes) offers a tax credit for property tax relief, but the deadline for those applications came and went on Sept. 1.

However, there’s still time for rent relief applications, until the end of the month.

“I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of the Renter Refund program,” Schmidt said. “The Circuit Breaker program is a great program that gives vital assistance to people in need. … But publicity for the program has been lacking for a variety of reasons.”

He pointed to a 2022 report by the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, which found only 20% of Utahns who qualified for it that year (about 12,500 taxpayers) actually claimed it. The other 80% (about 50,000) were eligible but did not file to receive the benefit. Only a fraction of those who qualified, however, were renters.

Since then, participation has increased, but renters continue to be a small share. In 2023, only 2,821 households received rent relief through the program statewide, according to a document Schmidt shared showing participation figures. That’s compared to 41,787 homeowners that received property tax relief through the Circuit Breaker program.

To qualify for the rent relief program ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline, you must be:

• A renter in 2023;
• Your 2023 income was less than $48,840;
• You were a Utah resident for the entirety of 2023;
• You are either 66 years of age (as of Dec. 31, 2023) or an unmarried surviving spouse, regardless of age;
• You aren’t claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

Schmidt emphasized that renters of a variety of home types (homes, apartments, manufactured homes, trailers) can benefit.

“The (Utah) Tax Commission has made it extremely easy to apply,” said Schmidt, who took it upon himself to make an instructional video and post it on YouTube to help seniors navigate the Utah State Tax Commission’s website and file their applications.

Applicants can either complete an online application using the state’s Taxpayer Access Point website, or complete, sign, and submit a TC-90CB form with the Tax Commission either in person or by mail.

For more information, visit the Utah State Tax Commission‘s website. You can also call 801-297-6254 to speak with a Circuit Breaker processing agent.

Utah News Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.