Emergency Financial Assistance

Herndon-Reston FISH has assisted local residents in short-term crises since 1969. FISH provides Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help by responding to emergency requests for rent, utilities, medical prescriptions, and other critical needs to stop destabilizing events..

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Approximately 75% of FISH clients have incomes below the federal poverty level. They often work multiple low-paying jobs and live paycheck to paycheck. FISH helps those neighbors when they are in crisis. We work closely with social workers from Fairfax County, local schools, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations.

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During fiscal year 2023, FISH's traditional assistance program provided assistance for 357 cases for a total of $467,055 in payments. Approximately 90% of funds go to help with rent and utilities.

 

During the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, FISH has taken on additional responsibilities to provide financial assistance for people in need. FISH was again one of 21 community-based agencies chosen by Fairfax County to distribute funds from the major federal programs funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and from the Emergency Rental Assistance programs funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have assisted Fairfax County in distributing over $7.6 million of this funding to our neighbors in economic distress. 

 

Financial details are included in the 2022-23 Annual Report here. 

 

For information about how to get assistance, click here.)

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The FISH Emergency Assistance Program accepts referrals from our partners at Fairfax County on all week days except holidays. If you need emergency financial assistance and are a resident of Herndon or Reston, please call 703 222-0880 to begin the process or click here.  County social workers will communicate your needs to FISH.