Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

I hope you will tune in to my virtual FY 2022 County and FCPS budget town hall tonight, Monday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. The event will be televised on Channel 16 (Cox Channel 1016; Verizon/Comcast Channel 16), streamed online, and streamed live on my Facebook page @DranesvilleSupervisor. See below for details, including how to submit your questions. 

This email includes important information from Governor Northam about extending the filing deadline for state income taxes as a result of the IRS deadline extension. Also included is information on protecting yourself from COVID-19 scams; a Spanish Language "The Facts About COVID-19 Vaccine" virtual event hosted by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber, and a panel conversation on Developmental Disabilities Resources and Services.

Please share this email with your friends and neighbors, and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.

Sincerely,
John
Tonight: Dranesville Budget Community Meeting
Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro, Dranesville District School Board Representative Elaine Tholen and Assistant Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services Leigh Burden will join Supervisor Foust to discuss the FY 2022 Advertised Budget Proposal and answer your questions at the Dranesville District Budget Meeting:

Event Details
Monday, March 22 at 7:00PM
Channel 16 (Cox Channel 1016; Verizon/Comcast Channel 16)

During the presentation, you can submit questions by calling 703-324-1114 or post them as a comment to the live stream of the meeting on Facebook. You can also submit questions by email in advance or during the meeting at Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov and include "Dranesville District Budget Town Hall" in the subject line.
Virginia Individual Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to May 17, 2021
Taxpayers encouraged to file electronically and request refund through direct deposit 

Governor Ralph Northam announced that he is directing the Department of Taxation to extend the individual income tax filing and payment deadline in Virginia from Saturday, May 1, 2021 to Monday, May, 17, 2021. 
 
This extension aligns Virginia with the recent announcement from the United States Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service that federal income tax filings and payments would be extended from Thursday, April 15, 2021 to Monday, May 17, 2021. 
 
This deadline extension affects only individual income taxes and does not apply to estimated payments. Individuals who owe taxes will need to make payments by Monday, May 17, 2021 to avoid penalties. While interest may still accrue beyond the original deadline, legislation to address this issue will be considered at April’s reconvened session. 
 
There are a number of ways to pay including online, directly from a bank account, check or money order, and credit or debit card, both of which incur an additional fee. The Department of Taxation recommends electronic filing, which is easy, secure and free to use, and requesting direct deposit if a refund is expected. 
 
To check on the status of your refund, call (804) 367-2486 or use the Where’s My Refund application at tax.virginia.gov. Taxpayers who have questions, should call the Virginia Tax Individual Customer Service hotline at (804) 367-8031. 
 
For more information read the full press release here.
Don’t Fall Victim to These 6 COVID-19 Scams
The Federal Trade Commission has reported several vaccine-related scams that can be easily avoided with education and awareness. Some of the more common scams happening right now include:
  1. Get Vaccinated Now Scams – Scammers will contact residents claiming they can provide the vaccine now for little or no cost. This is not the case. Vaccines are being provided by local and state governments, and pharmacies and doctors offices in partnership with government distribution efforts. Further, the vaccine is free and should not come with any out-of-pocket costs. Make sure you are being offered a vaccine by a trusted source and never pay for your shot. (Though sometimes clinics may ask for insurance information, that is to cover administrative costs and should not translate to any cost to you.)
  2. Paying for Appointment Scam – Scammers ask residents to pay to put their names on a vaccine waiting list. All registration systems are free, as is the vaccine itself.
  3. False Contact Tracing Scams – Callers will reach out and try to collect information from you by claiming you may have been a “close contact” to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. A real contact tracer will only collect health information and will never require money or personal financial information.
  4. Assistance from “Big Name” Company Scams – You may see a message on a third-party text messaging or calling app, or on a social media platform offering free help during the pandemic. The FTC reports that these messages appear to be from big name brands that we know and trust, offering assistance to people who need it through monetary grants, coupons for food support and/or other giveaways. Those are all fake and not affiliated with the big-name companies at all. Often, these scams direct people to a survey that collects data and asks you to share the survey with other friends and family members. What these scams are seeking is information so please remember to never give out personal information (social security numbers, bank information, credit card information, etc.) unless you initiated the contact.
  5. New Treatment or Breakthrough Scams – If you see an ad for a medical breakthrough or new treatment for COVID-19, immediately raise the red flag. If there has been some sort of development in regards to COVID-19 prevention, treatment or cure, you will hear about it via the government and trusted media sources well before you see it in an advertisement.
  6. Fake Emails from WHO or CDC – To verify information, go directly to the WHO or CDC websites, You can also check the Fairfax County Emergency Blog, or go to coronavirus.gov or usa.gov/coronavirus. Never click on links from sources you don’t know.
Protect Your Information
It’s true that calls to schedule vaccine appointments could come from a variety of sources, so don’t be afraid to answer the phone. If a call is coming from the statewide call center, the number should show up as 877-VAX-IN-VA or 877-829-4682; however, the call could be coming from your local health department, a local pharmacy or other private providers and partners. Remember: State and local agencies will not ask for a social security number or immigration status. Health care providers may ask for your insurance information, but your vaccination will not be dependent on your insurance status.

A COVID-19 vaccine is always free, and no legitimate source will ever try to sell you a vaccine.

Worried You May Have Been Scammed?
If you fear you may have been the victim of a scam, don’t be afraid or embarrassed – report it! Scammers are pros at what they do, but there are also pros here to help you figure out next steps. If you think you have been contacted by a scammer, there are a few places you can call or contact:
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1-800-HHS-TIPS or tips.hhs.gov
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1-800-CALL-FBI
  • Medicare, 1-800-MEDICARE
  • Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section, 800-552-9963.
March 26: Virginia Hispanic Chamber Event "The Facts About COVID-19 Vaccine"
Los hechos sobre la vacuna COVID-19

Viernes 26 de marzo de 3:00 pm a 4pm ETZ
En zoom en español

Presentando
Dr. Rene Najera, Epidemiólogo para el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Fairfax
Hector Alonso, Mentor de Negocios para la Cámara Hispana de Virginia

La Cámara Hispana de Virginia te invita una sesión virtual en zoom donde hablaremos acerca de los hechos y preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacuna COVID-19. En esta conversación nos acompañará el Dr. René Nájera, epidemiólogo del departamento de Salud de Fairfax quien nos platicará acerca de los mitos y verdades que se han escuchado. También contaremos con Héctor Alonso, Mentor de Negocios de la Cámara Hispana quien nos compartirá su experiencia al recibir la vacuna COVID-19.

Obtén las respuestas a tus preguntas en esta sesión virtual interactiva:
  • ¿Por qué debería vacunarme?
  • ¿Es la vacuna segura y eficaz?
  • ¿Cómo me registro?
  • ¿Tiene costo la vacuna?
  • ¿Es necesario proporcionar mi estado migratorio para recibir la vacuna?

¡Atiende esta sesión gratuita y aprovecha los recursos e la información que el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Fairfax ofrece a sus residentes!

Recuerda que si nos cuidamos, estamos cuidando a nuestra familia y comunidad.
March 26: Developmental Disabilities Resources During COVID-19
The Fairfax Department of Family Services' Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, and Disability Rights and Resources will be hosting a panel conversation on Developmental Disabilities Resources and Services available to family caregivers and their loved ones during COVID-19.
Panelists:
  • Sandi Dallhoff- Manager of Therapeutic Recreation Services, Fairfax Neighborhood & Community Services
  • Lucy Beadnell- Director of Advocacy, The Arc of Northern Virginia
  • Claudia Vila- Disability Rights & Resources Manager, Fairfax Department of Family Services
  • Melissa Grasis- Self-Directed Services Specialist, Fairfax Community Service Board
  • Sierra Simmons- Service Director for Support Coordination Services, Community Service Board

Friday, March 26, from 12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m.
Call 703-324-5484, TTY 711 for more information.
Stay Informed about COVID-19
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below: