Rent
Payments that can help prevent eviction and keep a family safely housed.
Our services
Neighbors helping neighborsthrough a crisis.
When rent, utilities, prescriptions, or another urgent expense threatens stability, FISH works with Fairfax County to provide timely financial help.
Financial assistance
Help directed to the expenses that cannot wait.
An unexpected bill can place a household at risk of eviction, utility shutoff, or going without necessary medicine. FISH helps address the immediate expense so neighbors can regain stability.
Utilities
Urgent assistance to prevent disconnection of electricity, water, gas, or other essential service.
Prescriptions
Help obtaining necessary prescription medicines and certain medical items.
Other urgent needs
Carefully reviewed short-term expenses that could otherwise cause serious household disruption.
Additional support
Food Assistance Program
Herndon-Reston FISH provides grocery-card assistance to community members and their families who are experiencing food and financial instability. Grocery cards allow each household to choose the food that best meets its nutritional and cultural needs.
To request a referral: If a crisis is affecting your ability to obtain food, contact your social worker or case manager at your children's school, Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP), or another nonprofit or medical organization. They can submit a referral to FISH on your behalf.
How assistance works
A clear path from request to response.
- 1
Call Fairfax County
A social worker gathers information and assesses the immediate need.
- 2
Receive a referral
Eligible Herndon or Reston cases may be sent to FISH or another nonprofit partner.
- 3
FISH reviews the request
Staff and trained volunteers evaluate the referred need promptly.
- 4
Payment resolves the crisis
Approved assistance is generally paid directly to a landlord, utility, pharmacy, or other provider.