Fee Reductions & Financial Hardships: We’re Here to Help

Access for All: Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day 

Parks & Recreation classes, camps, fitness memberships, preschool, programs and more are at a price you can afford! Our fee reduction program helps Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day! Access for All. Whether you have a short-term set back or something longer term.   

The Arlington County Fee Reduction Policy bases discounts on total household income and size relative to the currently-published HUD’s Section 8 income limits. If your household income is below the threshold, most of Parks & Recreation fees could be reduced. Any member in a household that has qualified for a fee reduction can receive a fee reduction.

All Arlington County Parks & Recreation programs, fees and services are eligible for fee reduction except for personal training, private swim sessions for adults, adult leagues, payment for events or renting a facility (picnic shelters are included for fee reduction).  

Fee reductions, payment plans, and financial hardships are available if you qualify and live in or own property in Arlington County or if you are an Arlington County employee or member of these households.

Share information about fee reductions in English(PDF, 2MB), Spanish(PDF, 2MB), Arabic(PDF, 927KB), Amharic(PDF, 4MB), and Mongolian(PDF, 2MB).

Questions? Email us at AccessDPR@arlingtonva.us.

Fee Reductions

How to Apply for a Fee Reduction

(Please note we are required to make copies of your documentation for our files)
  • Complete the online application form or fill one out at a community center.
  • Required documents needed for fee reductions (you will need to provide at least one document from Sections A, B, and C)
    • SECTION A: Proof of identity (For all adults listed on the application that reside in the household)
      • U.S. driver’s license or passport from any country.  
    • SECTION B: Proof of residency
      • Driver’s license (with Arlington County address) or lease agreement/recent utility bill with the applicant’s name.  
    • SECTION C: Proof of financial need
      • Letter from Arlington County Department of Human Services client can ask their caseworker to inform the Department of Parks & Recreation of status to qualify.
      • Documents that prove income for an entire household. PLEASE NOTE: Only individuals listed on the letter will qualify. Additional documentation will be needed for family members not listed:  
        • Current Arlington Public School letter verifying eligibility for free or reduced lunch. We will accept the letter for the previous school year through September 30th. After that date, you will need the approval letter for the current school year.
        • Department of Human Services Woman, Infant and Children Program (WIC) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps (Benefit Letter required)
        • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Qualifying letter from DHS employee in Child & Family or IDD Services  
        • Tax returns (1040 or 760) filed within last 12 months  
        • Medicaid (Benefit Letter required)
        • Letter from a governmental agency as proof of unemployment in addition benefit letter that states monthly income, “adult individual enrollments only.”    
      • Documents that prove income for an individual. 
        • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Unemployed adult (as long as any other income does not exceed the Section 8 guidelines). Accepted for verification is showing a valid unemployment check or statement or a letter from the previous employer.  
All fee reductions must be renewed annually.

Fee Reduction Schedule Chart

Section 8 Definitions of % of Median Income Income Limits Effective April 2025

% Household Pays

Household Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 or More

25% of Fee

$34,450

$39,350

$44,250

$49,150

$53,100

$57,050

$60,950

$64,900

50% of Fee

$57,400

$65,600

$73,800

$81,950

$88,550

$95,100

$101,650

$108,200

75% of Fee

$74,800

$85,450

$96,150

$106,800

$115,350

$123,900

$132,450

$141,000

*Information based upon Federal Section 8 Medium Income Determinations for Arlington County, VA.

Have questions or need further assistance, call 703-228-4747. 

Where to Process Your Fee Reductions Application In Person

The Following Locations are Open to Process Fee Reductions in Person: 

 
Financial Hardships

Apply for Financial Hardship

Fees are not intended to stop you from participating in Parks & Recreation programs. If your household is experiencing a financial hardship but does not meet the fee reduction eligibility requirements, a separate process is available whereby you may apply for a hardship exemption for certain fee-based programs for a period of up to six months. Eligible households facing recent reduction in income due to job loss, reduction in work hours, change in benefits (ex. Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability) may qualify for a flat 20% fee reduction. Requests for temporary financial hardships must be made in writing by completing the Financial Hardship Request form. Hardship approvals will be determined based on documented inability to pay the published fee. Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day! Access for All. Let us work together. NOTE: Due to the review process, Financial Hardship requests take longer than fee reduction requests for a decision to be made.

Required documents needed for financial hardship (you will need to provide at least one document from Sections A, B, C, D, and E)

  • SECTION A – Completed application
  • SECTION B – Proof of Identity
    • U.S. driver’s license or passport from any country
  • SECTION C - Proof of Residency
    • Driver’s license (with Arlington County address)
    • Lease agreement/recent utility bill with the applicant’s name
  • SECTION D – Proof of Income (In addition to the items below we may request your last 3 pay stubs)
    • Tax returns (1040 or 760) filed within last 12 months
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Benefit Letter required)
  • SECTION E – Proof of Hardship
    • Unemployment Letter/ Letter of Separation
    • Eviction notice, notice of foreclosure, or other documentation that would prove recent housing insecurity
    • Proof of change in monthly Supplemental Security Income benefits
    • Proof of change in monthly or Social Security Disability benefits

We may ask for additional documentation to show proof of hardship.

Financial Hardship Fee Schedule Chart

Household Discount

Maximum Income of Household Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 or more

20% discount in programming fee

$112,200

$128,175

$144,225

$160,200
$173,025 
$185,850 
 $198,675
 $211,500

 

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