State of Maryland Tax Filing Extended to July 15th

Dear Friends,

I wanted to briefly offer you several updates about a free COVID test distribution event, the extension of the Maryland tax deadline, applications for my 2022-2023 scholarships, and a financial assistance resource for those struggling to pay energy bills.

Also, we are now in our third week of the 2022 Maryland General Assembly Session, and our work continues to be predominantly virtual. I continue to encourage you to view proceedings as your schedule allows. You can find the homepage and a list of daily calendar events at the bottom of the page here.

Please reach out to me at any time with questions or concerns and as always it is my great pleasure to represent you!

Sincerely,

Geraldine

Geraldine Valentino-Smith

Delegate, Maryland House of Delegates, District 23A

www.delegategeraldine.com

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Bowie Distributing COVID-19 Home Test Kits at Drive-Through Event This Friday & Saturday

Free COVID-19 home test kits will be distributed to those who live within the municipal limits of the City of Bowie on January 28 and January 29, 2022. Distribution will begin at 9 a.m. at the Bowie Senior Center (14900 Health Center Drive). It will continue until all supplies for that day are distributed. Each household is eligible to receive one test box (containing 2 test kits) at this event and proof of residency will be required.

The City has received an initial allocation of 2,000 test kits and will distribute them over the course of two days at the Bowie Senior Center. This will be strictly a drive through event. Residents should remain in their vehicles and wear masks while interacting with City staff. Visit www.cityofbowie.org/athometests for more information about this event.

Information about how to conduct the test is provided on the test kit box. Instructions can also be found at www.ihealthlabs.com.

State of Maryland Tax Filing Extended

The Comptroller extended the filing and payment deadline for 2021 Maryland State individual income taxes by three months—to Friday, July 15, 2022 in order to assist taxpayers who have, and continue to face financial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the Comptroller's website.

Delegate Scholarship

I am now accepting applications for my 2022-2023 House of Delegates Educational Scholarship.

If you reside in Maryland’s District 23A Legislative District, you can confirm you residential status in District 23A via this link.. Unfortunately due to the high volume of applications we receive, it is the Scholarship Committee policy to not award scholarships outside of District 23A. If you are attending a State of Maryland College or University, a career/tech school, or have qualified for unique major status for an out-of-state school, I encourage you to apply.

The 2022-2023 Delegate Scholarship application form, our scholarship criteria and deadline is listed on my website. The 2022 application deadline is April 22nd, 2022. In addition, you are required to create your profile with the Maryland Higher Education Commission and to have filed your FAFSA.

Energy Bill Assistance

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and restoration of home energy service. A household can apply for assistance once per program year, which runs July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Anyone who is behind on their utility bills should not wait to receive a turn-off notice and apply for assistance. There are updated income guidelines for the new program year, including special eligibility for households with a member who is 67 years or older. Please see the steps to apply on their website.

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By Authority of Friends For Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Elizabeth Ryan, Treasurer