Services and Programs for Older Adults (and Others) in the City of Falls Church

By Martha Cooper, Fairfax County Commission on Aging. SHAPE: E Committee, and Peng Si Highnam

Notes on eligibility and availability

Eligibility for specific services depends on a person’s income and, in some cases, assets as shown on their tax return, bank accounts, IRAs, and other retirement accounts. Eligibility does not include a person’s home or its value, however. Services provided vary by program and funding source. Note that the financial limits also change from year to year. Please inquire directly. Both City and Fairfax County staff may refer you to the services that meet your needs. Some programs consider seniors to be 65+ years of age, while others start at 62+.

Many programs also have limits on the number of participants. It is, therefore, important to get onto the waitlist early for services. Waitlist lengths provide information for the City about where funds are needed during the budgeting process.

Fairfax Area Aging Services

Through a contract with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services/Older Adults, Falls Church City residents may access home-based care, Meals on Wheels, employment services, insurance counseling, volunteer opportunities, mandatory adult protective services, and more. For FY2026, the City has budgeted $1.2 million to contract these services from Fairfax County.

Housing

Affordable housing for independent living (all adults)

The City of Falls Church Housing program includes programs for all residents that qualify based on income limits, but some prioritize older residents. The City supports independent older residents in the Winter Hill Apartments and other locations. Many of the mixed-use developments have apartments designated as affordable for the City’s Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) program as part of the Special Exception agreement negotiated by the City Council when these projects were approved.

These apartments provide below-market-rate prices for rentals at lower than the Area Median Income (AMI). Rents are set at various levels, e.g. for 80% AMI or for 60% AMI. The table below shows the income levels for various AMI limits. In 2025, an individual earning $91,784 is at the 80% AMI limit. The ADU program works from a waitlist. Priority is given to current residents or workers in the City with liquid assets less than $40,000. There are no age limits on the ADU programs, although seniors are given the highest priority.

Click here for the City’s AMI table

The City also has a rental subsidy program where, if the landlord agrees, the City subsidizes the rent month by month. This means the individual can remain at his/her current lodging. However this program currently does not have funds for additional applicants.

Assisted living programs (62+)

Assisted living programs are designed for individuals who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) but do not require skilled nursing care. Sunrise Senior Living and The Kensington have agreements with the City of Falls Church to offer some beds to low (up to 50% AMI) and moderate-income (50%-80% AMI) City residents 62 years of age and older, or members of their immediate families (parents, grandparents, parents-in-law, children). Assets are not considered.

The Sunrise program can accommodate 18 residents. Participants pay for room and board at a rate of 80% of their income, less health insurance premiums. Extra nursing care is not subsidized.

The Kensington program is for one qualified resident and includes extra nursing care. The Kensington Special Exception agreement negotiated with the City provides up to $107,120 of credits that can be used to pay for additional nursing care of this resident. In addition, the resident must pay 80% of their income, less health insurance premiums, to the Kensington. The resident must be low-income with no more than $40,000 in assets.

Real estate and property tax relief for older adults and persons with disabilities

The City of Falls Church provides real estate tax relief and personal property relief to City residents who are either 65 years old or older, or are permanently and totally disabled, and who meet the income and asset eligibility requirements. Applications are available beginning in mid-February of each year with a due date of April 15^th for the next tax year. Missing the deadline can be costly as it will require waiting until the following year. Tax relief ranges from 100% for those earning $60,000 or less with assets $500,000 or less, to deferrals for those earning $90,000 or less with assets of $500,000-$800,000.

In all cases, if the assessed value of the dwelling plus up to one acre of land upon which it is situated exceeds 125% of the average assessed value in the City for all single-family residences for that year, then no exemption is permitted. For FY2026, the average assessed value is $1,250,000, excluding condos, and $1,025,400, if condos are included.

This program is administered by the Treasurer’s Office at 703-248-5046 (TTY 711). Applicants must be residents of the City as of December 31^st of the previous year.

Dental care (low income)

The City works with the Northern Virginia Dental Clinic to help low-income residents access dental care. This clinic is a project launched by the Northern Virginia Dental Society and offers low-cost care to patients with limited incomes. Services are provided by volunteer private-practice dentists who freely give their time to help those individuals in need who would otherwise be unable to access dental care.

A referral from HHS is needed to be seen at this clinic. To be eligible, individuals must be 18+, without dental insurance, and below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. There are no asset limits. The amount paid per visit depends on the individual’s income level and may be as low as $30 but is typically $50 per visit.

Seniors tend to require major dental work, so this affordable care is especially vital. A senior resident of the City reached out to HHS staff after being told by his dentist that his molar had fractured, and he was facing a few thousand dollars of dental work. HHS was able to refer him to the clinic where he had the tooth extracted, followed by a root canal and other major dental work. The resident said, “The work I had there was fantastic!” For him, the bill was $30 each visit.

Click here to see the 200% federal poverty income limits

Transportation options

For seniors who want to reduce their need to drive or to stop driving altogether, there are a variety of options, and some do not have income or asset qualifications.

WMATA Metrobus and rail 50% reduced-fare program (65+, low-income, disabled)

Regardless of income, those 65+ can procure free Metro Senior SmartTrip cards at Metro’s Commuter Store kiosks. The closest Commuter Store is on the street level of the Ballston Metro station. A form must be completed. A driver’s license can serve as proof of age. You will add some money before you receive your card. The cards allow seniors to access Metrobus and Metrorail at 50% of the normal fares all day.

Disabled individuals of any age are eligible for a 50% reduced-fare SmartTrip Photo ID Card, available at the Metro Accessibility Transit Center in Washington, DC. Applicants need to provide one of the following:

• An original, Reduced Fare Application for People with Disabilities in English or Spanish signed by a licensed medical professional within the past 60-days; or
• Medicare (not Medicaid) card for individuals under age 65; or
• Veteran Disability Certification letter with 60% or greater disability rating per the original letter issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs or a DD2765 Uniformed Services card; or
• Audiogram performed within the past five years with a pure tone average of 70dB or greater in both ears, regardless of whether the individual uses hearing aids.

Families that are on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can also access WMATA’s reduced-fare program, called Metro Lift. An application must be submitted to WMATA directly. Both adults and children are able to receive the 50% fare discount cards once approved.

Fare Wheels transportation (62+, disabled, low-income)

Fare Wheels provides taxi coupons worth $40 with a co-pay of $10 per month for residents over 62 or who are totally disabled and who have incomes of less than $44,000/year. The coupons are in $2 denominations, and a list of local taxis is provided on the coupon book.

To request a ride, call the taxi and inform them that you will be using coupons. Pay the driver with the coupons and supplement with cash, if desired. Tips can be paid with the coupons, but drivers will not give change for the coupons.

Transportation Options Programs and Services (TOPS) (50+, disabled, low-income)

This Fairfax County program subsidizes transportation for low-income adults, age 50+, and disabled adults. It is a flexible program that allows eligible City of Falls Church residents to stretch their transportation dollars. With a $20 co-pay, approved residents receive a $100 debit card every six months to be used for any mode of transport – taxis, Uber, Lyft, Capital bikeshare, and to add funds to SmartTrip cards.

To be eligible, one of the following criteria must be met:

• 50 years of age or older, with an annual income of $50,000 or less per individual.
• Registered user of MetroAccess.
• Recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• Annual income that meets the 225% federal poverty levels by household size.

MetroAccess (Disabled)

MetroAccess is a shared-ride, door-to-door, paratransit service for people whose disabilities prevent them from using Metro or Metrobus in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. MetroAccess vans are able to accommodate wheelchair users and other mobility-impairments.

To be eligible for MetroAccess service, applicants must have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and be unable, as a result of their disability, to utilize accessible fixed-route transportation such as Metrobus and Metrorail or be unable to travel to/from a bus stop or rail station due to their disability. Eligibility is determined by submission of a completed application and completion of a functional assessment.

Medical certification is needed from a medical practitioner to use this service, but it is not income based. Rides need to be scheduled in advance as it is not a same-day service. The City’s HHS staff can help residents complete the application.

One-way MetroAccess fares start at $2 (base fare) and go up to a maximum of $4.50. Drivers are required to collect fares before the trip departs. Exact fare is required, because drivers do not carry or make change. MetroAccess customers ride free on the Metrorail and bus.

Community volunteers (50+)

Shepherd’s Center of McLean, Arlington, and Falls Church offers a variety of services, including transportation, classes, phone calls, visits, and food delivery, provided exclusively by volunteers and free of charge to anyone age 50 or older who resides in the local community. There are no income-level requirements. Call 703-506-2199, and a volunteer will get back to you.

Keeping active

Community Center class discounts and senior centers

Seniors (65+) who are City residents receive 50% discounts on all registration fees for Falls Church Community Center classes, unless stated otherwise. Materials fees are not included. The brochure for Fall 2025 classes is available here.

Financial aid for all low-income City residents is also available by application.

The Falls Church Community Center houses the City’s Senior Center. The center offers a variety of programs Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. These services include painting, history, games, pickleball, discussion groups in foreign languages, field trips, and discussions on topics of interest, such as artificial intelligence. You must join the Senior Center to participate in its programs. Annual membership is free for City residents and $12 for non-residents, The program year begins September 1. Find the latest Senior Center calendar here.

Falls Church City residents are welcome at Fairfax County Senior Centers, too. The Senior Center at James Lee Community Center, on Annandale Rd. near the Clock Tower Thrift Shop, is the closest Fairfax center.

Other resources

The Golden Gazette magazine

This free monthly Fairfax County publication (online and in print) offers information on many services and highlights volunteer opportunities, community activities, and issues affecting seniors. Subscribe at this link. Click here for  the latest issue of the Golden Gazette .

Support for people with dementia and their caregivers

A range of services is available to people with dementia and their caregivers. Learn about Insight Memory Care and other resources at 703-324-7948, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. A knowledgeable person will always answer your call.

Volunteer Solutions

Volunteer Solutions offers meaningful opportunities to become involved and to receive services. This program matches the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. These services vary from one-time to regular opportunities to call, visit, get groceries, perform light yardwork, and more. Bilingual volunteers are needed, too. Senior Centers and Adult Day Healthcare Centers need activity assistants and skilled leaders. Background checks are required for all volunteers.  You are invited to form new connections, decrease social isolation, and expand your horizons by contacting VolunteerSolutions@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-5406 (TTY 711).

SHAPE the Future of Aging

In May 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted SHAPE, the Future of Aging Plan 2023-2028. This plan guides the County, the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, and community-based organizations in better meeting the needs of older residents. The growing number of residents aged 65 and older in this region impacts us all.

The SHAPE acronym stands for:

• Services for Older Adults and Family Caregivers
• Housing and Neighborhood Support
• Access to Mobility Options
• Personal Well-Being
• Economic Stability and Planning

Stay tuned as existing programs are reinforced and new strategies are implemented to support older adults in these important areas. The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging plays a role in this ongoing planning effort.