Fairfax County Assistance Programs.

Get help with paying bills

Northern Virginia Family Service is a non-profit organization that offers Fairfax County residents with various resources, grants, and services that can help them make it through a difficult period. Some of the programs offered are below. Contact them to apply, or learn more about these or other programs. Contact them at 703-385-3267.

Housing, Mortgage, and Foreclosure Counseling Services

There are a few options for people to get help with housing related concerns in the Fairfax area. The primary goal of the Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) Housing Counseling Program is to assist individuals and families with housing issues. They want families to become self-reliant over the long term by helping them to identify achievable goals. A key to this process is for them to develop and enhance budgeting and money management skills that will serve to enhance their long-term housing stability, and ensure people have support over the long term. Dial 703.385.3267.

The Housing Counseling Program will offer several resources to clients. People can get short-term intensive case management services for both low and moderate-income households. In addition to the counseling and case management, maybe even more importantly clients may also be eligible to receive emergency grants for such expenses as utility bills, monthly mortgage payments, for rent, security deposits, and heating bills. The short-term intensive case management services are offered for a minimum period of 3 months. The maximum amount of assistance someone can receive is for 6 months. In addition to housing related counseling and cash grants, Fairfax County clients will also need to attend budgeting and money management workshops, and also receive debt counseling. The Housing Counseling Program is administered in both Fairfax and Arlington Counties. Find other ways to get foreclosure and mortgage help. Read more.

Prevent or stop an eviction.

If you are significantly behind on your rent, The Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) Eviction Prevention Program can provide low income families with emergency financial assistance and grants to pay rent. The Eviction Prevention Program includes the SHARE-HIP (Homeless Intervention Program), which provides grants for rent, utility service disconnect notices, and security deposits. The emergency financial assistance and case management services offered from this program are provided to all eligible Fairfax County Virginia households. The phone number is 703-385-3267.

Rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs in Fairfax

Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services provides qualified individuals with a grant of up to $250 to prevent evictions as well as help pay for a renters first month's rent or security deposit. They also provide utility help, budget counseling, and other aid as indicated below. (703) 768-9404.

 

 

 

McLean, Share, Inc. is an organization that may be able to help people of McLean, Great Falls and Pimmit Virginia. The agency provides emergency financial assistance and cash grants to needy families for payment of rent, utilities, cooling bills, or other emergencies. Money may even be available for medical and dental expenses. Dial (703)284-2179.

Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. (phone (703)391-0105) is an organization that provides emergency financial assistance, on the behalf of low income individuals, in the form of cash grants and direct payments to utility companies, landlords, doctors and pharmacies and similar necessities for Herndon and Reston residents in short-term crisis. The agency will pay those expenses for you, if you are found to be qualified.

Helping Hands Emergency Assistance - Herndon, FAITH helps people regardless of their religion or faith. Assistance may be available and qualified applicants can receive free food, new or discounted clothing and temporary cash grants and financial assistance to qualified families and individuals. The agency can assist individuals with paying their rent, mortgages, medical bills, dental expenses and medicines, and utility and cooling bills. Dial (571)323-2199.

Another option is St. Vincent de Paul Society. Call them at (703)385-4010 and leave a message. The agency may be able to provide emergency heating fuel, funds for paying mortgage or rent, and/or utility bill assistance and food to those in need of help.

Alexandria Salvation Army offers qualified individuals a very limited amount of emergency financial aid, as funding allows. In addition, this Virginia branch also administers the Washington Area Fuel Fund and EnergyShare utility bill assistance program. (703)548-0579.

If you have no other options, and have already accessed all available assistance programs, then the Lorton Community Action Center may be your last option. This agency provides emergency financial aid when all other resources and services have been exhausted. In addition, they also supply free clothing and household goods to people in need. Phone (703)339-5161.

Our Daily Bread Inc. - The non-profit can provide qualified families and individuals with a one-time cash grant of up to $350. The grants are intended to provide an emergency payment toward paying for housing expenses, utilities and energy bills, prescriptions or medical assistance, and/or auto repairs. Fairfax Virginia. (703) 273-8829

Fairfax Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) - The federal government stimulus program created a service known as the Homelessness Prevention Fund. This can provide renters with emergency short or long term rent assistance, eviction prevention, and funds for paying security deposits. Call (703) 324-8122

Lamb Center - Over 50 local churches participate in this charity organization. The churches coordinate to provide limited financial aid for paying utilities, rent, transportation, food vouchers and prescription medicine. Also provides mental health and other medical outreach. Maybe most importantly the churches can provide referrals to other agencies, non-profits, and government programs.  Serves homeless and needy persons in Fairfax County. They can also help with job searches. 3220 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030. Phone (703)691-3178

Falls Church, Hispanic Committee of Virginia. A program of Hispanic Committee of Va./ Comite Hispano de Virginia. Staff, which is bilingual, may be able to assist low income clients with providing direct social services and information on government assistance programs, case management, mental, dental and physical health referrals, crisis intervention, emergency services, domestic violence and provides referrals for financial assistance for emergencies such as housing and energy bills. 5827 Columbia Pike, Suite 200, Falls Church, Virginia 22041. Call (703)671-5666.

Fairfax County Department of Family Services – Programs and financial aid can help pay for installation of cooling equipment, free fans, room air conditioners, utility and electric security deposit or back utility bills. Assistance is offered for families and individuals that meet the income requirements and include an individual who is permanently and totally disabled, age 60 or over, or families with children under age 6. They also have extensive information on federal government and state of Virginia financial assistance programs, such as health care, low income housing, rent help, and more. 12011 Government Center Parkway. Fairfax, Virginia 22035. Telephone (703)324-7604

Fairfax Area Agency on Aging - Assists low-income senior households with providing cooling equipment or money for the payment of electric bills. 12011 Government Center Pkwy., #708. Fairfax, Virginia 22035. Call (703)324-7948

Fort Myer Soldier and Family Assistance Center – This not for profit center can provide emergency financial assistance for paying bills and expenses to active duty and their immediate family members, reservist and national guard personnel, and retired military who are in need due to non receipt of pay; medical, dental or hospital expenses; loss or delay of funds or paychecks, funeral expenses for immediate family members; travel for emergencies; and free food and utilities for emergencies only. 201 Custer Road. Ft Myer, Virginia 22211. Call (703)696-3510

St. Veronica Catholic Church – This Fairfax County church can provide emergency fuel, mortgage/rent, money for heating and cooling bills, and/or utility assistance and food gift cards to those in need in the community. 3460 Centerville Road. Chantilly, Virginia 20151. Call (703)773-2030

United Community Ministries, Inc. –Another local charity organization/not for profit. Low income, unemployed, or those who need help can apply for financial assistance grants to put towards heating and cooling bills.  Must have cut off notice to be eligible for funds from the church. Some money may be offered to prevent an eviction from an apartment or home too. 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22306. Call (703)768-7106

Fort Belvoir Army Community Service – Another agency that can help military members, veterans, and/or their family members. 9800 Belvoir Rd, Bldg 200. Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060. Call (703)805-3130

Fairfax County assistance programs and organizations that cover all of Virginia

Get information on various Virginia non-profits and assistance programs that help people across all of Fairfax County. Get foreclosure and mortgage counseling, free legal aid, help with paying utility bills, other help.

• Virginia mortgage and foreclosure programs
• Virginia HUD foreclosure and housing counseling
• Virginia utility and energy bill help
• Virginia food banks
• Virginia Section 8 housing
• Virginia free community clinics
• Virginia free legal advice
• Free dental care in Virginia. Read more.

Vehicles For Change

The Vehicles for Change program was created to assist low and moderate income individuals in the local community as these families and individuals strive to become self-reliant. This program receives donations of used cars from local businesses and the community and then prepares these cars to be “road ready” for distribution to eligible recipients. So people can receive a fairly decent quality car, for little money or maybe even for free. Dial (410) 242-9674.

Ways to Work Loan Program

This program was created to provide low-interest loans to families to help them either repair or purchase a vehicle in order to help them maintain their employment. It is anticipated that the average purchase loan offered from Ways to Work will not exceed $4,000 and the loan will be repaid over 24 months. If you need to repair your car, the average car repair loan will not exceed $750 and this loan need to be repaid over 12 months. Find additional loan programs, including how to get help from payday lenders.

Help with paying energy bills

• Fuel Assistance Program - Will provide help to eligible low and moderate income Fairfax households. The funds provided will help them with the costs of heating or cooling their homes. The application period runs from late October to late November. Call Fairfax County at 703-324-7604 to apply.
   
• Crisis Assistance Program - This will assist households that are facing an emergency situation by providing primary with money to pay their bills if they are facing a disconnection. Money is also available for funding the repair or replacement of heating equipment and heat security deposits. The application period for a crisis grant runs from November to March of each year. You may also request an application by calling 703-324-7604.
   
• Another charity organization to turn to is Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services. They provide a cash grant of up to $250 that will prevent someone’s energy service from being disconnected or to pay an old utility bill. The phone number is above.

 

 

Child Care Assistance and Referral Program

This program offered in Fairfax county provides financial assistance to help families in need pay for child care. Assistance is offered to both low and moderate income families that reside in Fairfax County Virginia. The program supports families who are in education or job training programs, and families who are working in they need assistance with paying for the cost of child care. The child care assistance program pays for child care costs in family child care homes, child care facilities, or School-Age Child Care. Find other ways to get help with child care expenses. Contact the county government to learn more or apply. Call CCAR at 703-449-8484 for more information.

Rent Help from FAMILY PRESERVATION and Strengthening Service (Family PASS)

This organization provides a three-year rental assistance program, and they combine it with intensive case management, budgeting, debt management, and other resources. The Family PASS program requires that families be in the U.S. legally and adults also need to be working but are just struggling to stay current with their monthly rent. Many of the applicants need skills to find better employment, and to meet this need educational training is one of the organization’s ways of support. Some of the other services offered include intense counseling, from money management, debt management, and planning to housing assistance and access to grants.

The Family PASS program works with landlords who will accept its rental assistance and cash grants to help clients qualify for approval. In the assistance formula that the organization uses, no more than 31 percent of a family’s total household income will go towards paying rent. Family PASS subsidizes the rest by paying the landlord directly. 703-242-6474

Assistance from Reston Interfaith

This is a local nonprofit agency that offers rent help, serves as a shelter, child care provider, food pantry, and more for people in need of help.

Last year, Reston Virginia Interfaith (contact number is 703-222-0880) spent more than $5 million on various assistance programs, food aid, and shelter services, according to its tax records.

There are a multitude of programs offered. Last year the nonprofit offered rental assistance, self-sufficiency aid, child care services, and pantry services, and altogether they provided more than 2,000 families with relief and aid.

For example, the number of people who are seeking aid from its rental assistance program has spiked during the past 18 months. Just over the last 3 months almost 100 families were provided almost $60,000 in funds to either pay arrearages or future rent.

Low cost or free health and medical care

The County of Fairfax Virginia offers several affordable health care programs. Some of the services provided to children and others includes primary care and urgent care, prescription drugs, dental care, vision services, immunizations, and more. Dial 703-237-3446 to learn more or apply. Click here to find how to save and consolidate medical debts.

Low income and uninsured residents of Fairfax and Falls Church and Falls Church can turn to the Fairfax County Community Health Care Network (CHCN). Patients who can’t afford to pay medical and hospital bills can contact this organization of local doctors and medical professionals.

Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic offers free medical care for children, and some adults may also qualify if they have certain conditions. (703)481-8160

Women, men and children who live in Fairfax County and who do not have health insurance can contact Alexandria, Queen Street Clinic. They offer free medical care. Call (703)299-9701 for more information or an appointment.

Low income patients, senior citizens, the uninsured, and unemployed do have several other ways to get help with medical bills, medications, and health care. Several other government certified health centers operate in the region. Find more Fairfax clinics.

Debt elimination and credit repair

Yet one more resource provided by Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is debt reduction and financial education. These debt and credit services are offered for low-income families and individuals of Fairfax County. Participants in the debt assistance program clean up the credit history, learn new money management skills, reduce debt payments and interest rates, and gain financial independence. Dial (703) 768-9404 for more information. More on debt assistance programs.

 

 

Food aid and access to pantries

If you need assistance or help providing for your next meal, Food for Others (phone 703-207-9173) is the organization that may help. They provide food that is vitally needed by our unemployed and low-income people who live in northern Virginia. Click here for additional information on government food programs.

Vienna Committee for Helping Others - Offers emergency food aid. Dial (703)281-7614.

Columbia Center for Missions, in the Falls Church Virginia area, provides bags of groceries to those in need of assistance. (703)534-5700

McLean, Share, Inc. ((703)284-2179), provides emergency food and groceries to families in need.

Fairfax County Salvation Army - Distributes food to the needy. (703)385-8700

Several other churches, charities, and agencies provide free food in the Fairfax County region to the low income, senior citizens, and disabled. Read more food pantries in Fairfax.

Government Programs and Crisis Assistance

Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) (703-222-0880) provides low to moderate income, the unemployed, and others who are struggling assistance with basic needs issues, such as emergency food, utility help, clothing, housing and rent, furniture, and transportation to medical appointments, screening for emergency shelter, and access to other social services.