Press Releases - Department of Recreation

Montgomery County Recreation Increasing Financial Aid to $400 per Individual, will Begin Accepting 2024 Applications on Dec. 11

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Montgomery County Recreation will begin accepting applications for 2024 Rec Assist, the department’s financial assistance program, on Monday, Dec. 11. Rec Assist provides County residents who receive eligible public assistance an opportunity to receive a scholarship to use toward most Recreation classes, activities and memberships that have a cost associated with them.  

“Access to recreational activities is important to every resident, and it is imperative for us to assist those who can’t afford the fees for the programs we offer” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are providing additional funding available to residents for financial aid to participate in Montgomery County Recreation programming in 2024. With this new funding, we hope to see more County residents signing up for the many great offerings available and taking advantage of County resources. Ensuring that everyone has access to recreation services is a key component of our equity efforts. I encourage all those who are eligible for this funding to apply.” 

County residents who currently receive public assistance from any of these programs are eligible for Rec Assist: Care for Kids; Free and Reduced-Price Meal Services (FARMS); Housing Assistance from a Shelter; Maryland Energy Assistance; Maryland Medicaid; Montgomery County HHS Rental Assistance Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Supplemental Social Security Income; Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and WIC. 

Once approved, each eligible family member will receive $400 placed on the qualifying individual's ActiveMONTGOMERY account for use. This is an increase in amount from years past. Rec Assist 2024 funds are available for use from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024, or until the funds are depleted. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. 

Rec Assist applications will be accepted online, by mail to Montgomery County Recreation Attention Rec Assist, 2425 Reedie Drive, 10th Floor, Wheaton, MD, 20902, or can be dropped off at that same address Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applications are available in English and Spanish. 

Once your application is approved, the amount of eligible assistance will be placed on your ActiveMONTGOMERY account within 10 business days. Funds will be available for use beginning Jan. 1, 2024.  

If you applied and received Rec Assist in 2023, it can be used on your account until the end of the year, Dec. 31, 2023. For more information, or to apply online, visit mocorec.com/recassist.

Montgomery County Recreation's free RecFit membership program for County residents will also continue in 2024. To apply for the free pass, County residents must visit a center near them and bring proof of residency. Learn more here.

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Release ID: 23-534
Media Contact: Monika Hammer 240-463-2442