Government assistance from DSS in Delaware.
People living in or near poverty can get assistance from the Delaware from the Division of Social Services as well as other state organizations. A number of public assistance programs are focused on helping people provide for their basic needs, including cash or food benefits, GA, medical insurance and more. Find details on the government benefit programs provided by DSS in Delaware including those available on the ASSIST portal.
Government benefits to help pay bills from Delaware Division of Social Services
The main DSS program that provides people with money from the government is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This is one of Delaware’s main public assistance programs that provides help to very low-income families with children, including single moms or dads. While the program is funded by the federal government, it is managed locally by the Division of Social Services (DSS), Delaware Economic Development Office, as well as the Department of Labor. All of these government organizations partner together to help the low income.
- As a result of TANF in Delaware, the state will provide both cash as well as positive incentives for the family to become self-sufficient over the long term. The cash benefits from the government can go towards paying a variety of bills ranging from utilities to housing, food and others. So this can include job training, career counseling, and similar support.
Delaware General Assistance is for individuals, including single people, that can’t get TANF. This is a state of DE created public assistance program as a so called program of last resort, and can help people who do not qualify for any other federal government programs or public aid. For example, general assistance may be able to help if you do not qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or social security benefits, per below. It is also a cash benefit for single people that may or may not have kids.
Households living in/or near poverty can get help from the government to pay for groceries. The Delaware Food Supplement Program (SNAP) is a resource that will enable low-income families and individuals to buy a variety of food that can help keep them healthy over the long term and that is the basis for better nutrition.
- Financial help to pay for food as part of SNAP is issued electronically to the family's Delaware Food First card (Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card) every month. The individual then needs to bring this EBT card to their local grocery store to purchase food.
Many food pantries administer the Community Food and Nutrition Program. This is other public resource that will distribute free food, groceries, and meals to households through mobile pantry programs as well as food banks across Delaware. In addition to your local pantry, all State Service Centers will be able to distribute emergency food to households and families in need of help.
Cash assistance for Child Care Expenses is another DSS benefit. If you have a young child and need help to pay for child care while you work or attend job training, the state may be able to help. This service provides financial support so that the child’s parent or caretaker can obtain training, hold a job, or meet the special needs of the child.
- If you are training for a job or are currently working, then the state of Delaware may be able to pay for a portion of your child care expenses. Only certain child care provided can be paid for, and individuals may get a list of Child Care and Day Care Centers and homes in your area from your DSS Case Manager. Read more on government help with daycare in DE.
The Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP) is the states version of LIHEAP. It is a federally funded program for low-income families with children, seniors, and disabled that need help in paying for the costs of their home energy bills. The Division of State Service Centers (DSSC) administers this utility and electric bill program on a contractual basis with local partners across Delaware. More on DEAP Delaware energy help.
- All of these public assistance programs from DEAP help pay utility costs. Three main parts of the program include the Summer Cooling Bill Assistance Program which helps pay electric bills during the summer months. The main part of DEAP is the Winter and Fuel Assistance which helps income eligible households to help pay for propane, home heating, electricity bills, natural gas, kerosene, coal, or wood. The last part of the Delaware DSS benefit is the emergency and crisis assistance for people with a disconnection.
Emergency government housing is for homeless people in Delaware and people close to eviction or foreclosure. The Division of Social Services partners with local service centers to help people find a place to live. Options range from transitional housing to homeless shelter, emergency free motel rooms and other options.
Additional public assistance from DSS in Delaware
Medical assistance may be offered in Delaware by government insurance such as Medicaid. This federal government program, which is run at the state level, provides free or low cost healthcare to eligible low-income families and to seniors, eligible aged, blind and/or disabled people. Find more on Delaware government insurance programs.
Delaware Healthy Children Program provides health insurance coverage to children and teens. The amount of coverage and services provided by the Division of Social Services is comparable to what is offered from some of the best private health insurance carriers.
Another DSS benefit is the prescription drug assistance program known as DPAP. A focus of this service is to help pay for medications for low income disabled and elderly individuals who cannot afford the full cost paying for their own medications.
Transportation can be provided for a doctor visit or people with a medical condition. Receive access to public transport, or maybe transportation from volunteers to health care and doctor appointments for persons 60 years of age or older. Or look here for free medical rides.
Contact information for benefits in Delaware
There are in person and online applications, including from ASSIST in Delaware. Or call the Delaware Division of Social Services at 1-800-464-4357 to apply for any of these or other public assistance programs.
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