NEWSLETTER

March 19, 2020

Neighbors in the 42nd District,

As we continue to work together to protect our public health, I want to again thank you for your patience and everything you are doing to
support our community and promote social distancing. Below is an update on actions our state government and Fairfax County Public Schools are taking to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19).  

To see my previous updates on our state guidance and actions, please click here. If you know someone in our community who may
benefit from these updates, please encourage them to sign up here. 

Best, Kathy

Updates from Governor Northam and State Agencies

Governor Northam announced the following state actions today, March 19. The full announcement is available here. For an update on the number and locations of COVID-19 cases in Virginia, please see the Virginia Department of Health’s website here.

Increasing Access to Health Care

The Department of Medicaid Assistance Services (DMAS) will ensure Virginia’s 1.5 million Medicaid members will have greater access to healthcare services through the following actions:

  • All co-payments for services covered by Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) are now eliminated. This includes COVID-19-related treatment.

  • Medicaid recipients will be able to obtain a 90-day supply for routine prescriptions.

  • Pre-approval requirements for critical medical services are now waived. For those with approvals already in place, Virginia will be automatically extending those approvals. 

  • As Virginia continues to expand access to telehealth services, providers treating patients through telehealth services will be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.

Guidance for Child Care Providers

  • The Department of Social Services (DSS) is modifying Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy program to better support Virginia families: 

  • School-aged children designated for part-day care will now be eligible for full-day care. 

  • Level 1 and Level 2 providers will increase the number of paid absences to 76 days. 

  • Families who are due for eligibility redetermination will be automatically extended for two months and DSS is temporarily suspending the requirement for face-to-face interviews. 

Support for Virginia Businesses

Yesterday I shared that Virginia applied for the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans Program available through the US Small Business
Administration. Our application was approved today. Now, impacted Virginia small businesses and nonprofit organizations can apply for low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million from the SBA to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses. More information is available here.

Helping Taxpayers 

  • The Virginia Department of Taxation is extending the due date for individual and corporate income taxes owed to June 1, 2020. Interest will still accrue. 

  • Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can defer payments on state sales taxes due on March 20 for 30 days. 

Motor Vehicle Inspections

  • The Virginia Department of State Police, the agency responsible for administering the Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections (MVSI) program, will suspend enforcement of the MVSI program for 60 days. 

Updates from Fairfax County Public Schools

  • Superintendent Scott Brabrand is hosting a Facebook Live chat tomorrow, March 20, beginning at 3 pm to answer questions regarding FCPS operations during the COVID emergency. Please see https://www.facebook.com/fcpsva.

  • For the complete announcement, including FCPS planning for distance learning and the end of the third school quarter, please click here.