Delaware Emergency Assistance for Kinship Caregivers

When a Child Shows Up and You Have Nothing Ready

A grandchild arrives at your door tonight because a parent was arrested, hospitalized, or simply could not cope. You have no crib, no clothes in the right size, no car seat, and no idea how to pay for any of it on a fixed income. This is the reality for thousands of Delaware kinship caregivers, and the state does have emergency resources — but they have rules and timelines you need to know about before the window closes.

The 180-Day Kinship Care Program

Delaware's Kinship Care Program, authorized under 31 Del. C. § 356, may provide a one-time emergency subsidy, within available funding, for immediate transition needs like clothing, furniture, and other items needed to accommodate a child during the 180-day transition period. This is not a monthly stipend.

Eligibility requirements:

• The child must be under 18
• You must be a relative within the fifth degree of kinship
• The child's parent or parents must not live in your home
• Your household income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• The child must have moved into your home within the last 180 days
• You must have guardianship of the child or actively pursue guardianship

That 180-day clock is strict. If six months pass before you apply, the program cannot help you for that placement. You do not need to wait for a final court order if you are actively pursuing guardianship, but the program does require guardianship or active pursuit of it. Contact your local State Service Center as soon as the child arrives.

The program is administered through DHSS State Service Centers. Delaware has 19 locations across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. You can find the nearest one through the DHSS website or by calling the general DSS number.

Delaware 211

Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Delaware to reach the statewide helpline that connects residents with local social services. The 211 operators can direct you to:

• Emergency food pantries and clothing closets
• Utility assistance programs
• Emergency shelter resources
• Local nonprofit agencies that serve kinship families

211 is not a state benefits program — it is a referral service that knows which community organizations in your county have immediate resources available. For a grandparent who needs diapers and a winter coat tonight, 211 can often point you to a church pantry or community agency faster than the state benefit application process.

TANF Emergency Access

While TANF child-only grants are ongoing monthly payments (approximately $241 per month for one child), the application itself can move quickly when circumstances demand it. SNAP benefits have an expedited processing track: if your household's gross monthly income is under $150 and liquid resources do not exceed $100, DSS must make a SNAP determination and issue benefits within 7 calendar days.

The standard DSS processing deadline for non-medical applications, including TANF and SNAP, is 30 calendar days from the filing date. For a paper application, DSS defines the filing date as when you complete, sign, and return at least the first page to the correct DSS location. If DSS causes a SNAP delay and later finds the household eligible, SNAP benefits are retroactive to the month of application. For a new TANF case, cash assistance begins when DSS has reviewed and verified eligibility and the payee has signed the application.

Title III-E Caregiver Support

If you are 55 or older and raising a minor relative child, the Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program (administered by Delaware's Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities) provides respite care funding — temporary childcare, summer programs, or adult day services to give you a break. Contact the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 to ask about available caregiver supports.

The Children's Choice Kinship Navigator

The statewide Kinship Navigator Program, operated by Children's Choice, provides peer support and system navigation specifically for kinship families. For referrals, call Children's Choice at 302-678-0404. The navigators can help you identify which programs you qualify for and how to apply, especially during those chaotic first weeks.

Do Not Wait for Paperwork

The most common mistake kinship caregivers make is assuming they need a court order before applying for any assistance. A final order is not required for every benefit, but Delaware's Kinship Care Program does require guardianship or active pursuit of guardianship. Eligible specified relatives may apply for child-only TANF without a court order.

Apply first. Gather documents as you go. For a new TANF case, cash assistance begins when DSS has reviewed and verified eligibility and the payee has signed the application. The filing date starts the DSS processing period.

For a full walkthrough of every program — what to bring, which agency handles each benefit, and how to track your applications — the Delaware Kinship Financial Help Guide organizes the entire process into clear steps.

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