Montgomery County Recreation Will Begin Accepting Applications for 2026 Financial Aid on Monday, Dec. 8

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Montgomery County Recreation will begin accepting applications for 2026 Rec Assist, the department’s financial assistance program, on Monday, Dec. 8. 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. 

“Every resident deserves access to the many great recreational activities and programs offered by our Recreation Department,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Rec Assist plays a key role in easing financial challenges for families. In 2025, once again, County residents utilized nearly $900,000 in funding to participate in programs, including swim lessons, karate classes and art activities. We hope to continue to see County residents take full advantage of this service and I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply.”  

County residents who receive public assistance from any of these programs are eligible for Rec Assist: Care for Kids; Free and Reduced-Price Meal Services (FARMS); Heat and Eat (H-EAT), 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. Any student who attends a Montgomery County Public School participating in Community Eligibility Provision is eligible.   

Once approved, each eligible family member will receive $400 placed on the qualifying individual’s ActiveMONTGOMERY account for use. Rec Assist 2026 funds are available for use from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, 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.  

Once your application is approved, the amount of eligible assistance will be placed on your ActiveMONTGOMERY account within 10 business days.  

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Release ID: 25-440
Media Contact: Monika Hammer 2404632442
Categories: Recreation