1) What type of memberships are available?
- NCS General Membership – Is a free membership for all Fairfax County Residents who wish to attend activities at either a Community Center, Teen Center or Technology Center. Residents must provide proof of residency in order to receive an NCS General Membership. This membership is only valid at Community, Teen and Technology Centers.
- NCS Senior Center Membership –Is a paid membership for eligible Fairfax County Residents ages 50 years and older who wish to attend activities at an NCS Senior Center. Fairfax County residents can purchase a membership to the county's network of 14 Senior Centers at an annual fee of $62 per person (based on household income). Residents below specified income levels may request a partial or full-fee waiver with required documentation. This membership can utilize any of our NCS facilities (Senior Centers, Community Centers and Technology Centers).
- Non-county residents can purchase a membership to access NCS Facilities for an annual fee of $150 per person. The Out of County Membership fee allows non-county residents to participate in programs and activities in NCS facilities.
2) What is the eligibility for a senior center membership?
- Our senior center facilities have been designed for independent seniors. To qualify for membership at Neighborhood & Community Services (NCS) Senior Centers, a participant must be 50 years of age or older and with minimal support to be:
- Able to orient correctly to person, place, and time.
- Able to independently navigate to programs and through center facilities safely.
- Able to receive, follow and respond appropriately to instructions and emergency directives independently.
- Able to maintain personal care (eating, restroom usage, personal hygiene, medication management) independently.
- Able and willing to follow the Code of Conduct.
- An individual who requires assistance with activities of daily living may be able to join in center activities if he/she has a companion or family member with them at all times and approval from center director.
- All program applicants must meet eligibility requirements, participation guidelines, and adhere to the Code of Conduct for senior centers. NCS reserves the right to deny access to senior centers or to discharge a participant when program eligibility requirements are no longer met.
3) What is the eligibility for a community center membership?
- Our community centers are open to all Fairfax County Residents ages 6 and up and you must adhere the Fairfax County Code of Conduct.
4) What is the eligibility for a teen center membership?
- Our teen center facilities have been designed for youth in grades 7 through 12 and you must adhere the Fairfax County Code of Conduct.
5) What is the eligibility for a technology center membership?
- Our technology centers are open to all Fairfax County Residents ages 6 and up and you must adhere the Fairfax County Code of Conduct.
6) I have been a member for a long time. Do I have to sign-up in the new system?
- If your account profile in our system and your account was in good standing (active/current), your information should be reviewed annually. There may be some information our staff may ask you to update. If it has been more than two years since your last membership expired, your account may be inactive in our system, and you will need to renew your membership to continue using our system and NCS facilities.
7) What is the fee for NCS memberships?
- NCS General Membership is free.
- NCS Senior Center memberships range from $31 to $62 annually based on household income.
- $31 Membership Fee*: Annual income is $57,720 and below for individuals single or married.
- $62 Membership Fee: Annual income is $57,721 and above for individuals single or married.
* Proof of Income: Fees are based on the participant or participant/spouse’s gross income. Applicants requesting a waiver of the annual registration fee must provide documentation to the Senior Center Director. A list of eligible documentation may be obtained from Senior Center staff.
- Non-county residents may purchase either membership for $150 per person per year and are not eligible for a fee waiver.
8) What payment types are accepted?
- We accept the following payment types: Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, Master Card , Discover and American Express. We DO NOT accept Pin required Debit Cards, Flexible Spending Cards, EBT Cards and Diners Club.
9) How will the payment show on my credit card statement?
- All memberships and other fees charged by credit cards at Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) Centers will appear on the credit card statements of the credit card holders, as either “NCS – Program Services” or “NCS – Senior Center Fees”.
10) What do I need to bring to a NCS site to finalize my registration process?
- Picture ID
- Proof of residency may include a bank statement, tax document, utility bill, official government document with your mailing address affixed. Information is required to ascertain whether out-of-county membership fees apply.
- For Senior Center members, a list of eligible documentation may be obtained from Senior Center staff.
11) Can I changes the type of membership I have?
- If a customer has an NCS General Membership and wishes to become a member of a senior center, they can visit a local senior center to start the application process to include purchasing a new NCS Senior Center membership.
- If a customer in no longer interested in being a member of the senior center, when the current membership expires they can sign up for the NCS General Membership.
12) How do I know when my membership has expired?
- When you scan your membership card at the center, the screen will show scan invalid/expired with the date of expiration.
- Staff can look up your account information in the system and inform you.
- If you have a valid email address on your account, you may receive an email reminder about renewing your membership.
13) Can I purchase a membership online?
- At this time all membership must be purchased on site at an NCS Facility
14) Why am I being charged $100 if I am a Fairfax County resident?
- Our memberships are based on a classification in the system. If your classification is incorrect, you can visit your local center and the staff will verify your residency and make any appropriate adjustments to your account.
15) Can I pay for multiple memberships at the same time?
- Yes, if all the members are on one account. If each member is on a different account, then each membership must be sold separately.
- Yes, if your form of payment is cash or check.
- Paying with credit cards will have different results, some banking/credit card institutions have security levels that may prevent us from processing the credit card payments back to back.
16) Will my membership with the Fairfax County Park Authority work at NCS sites?
- No. The Park Authority has a similar system, but the systems are not connected.