Delaware Kinship Care Program 180-Day Application

When a child first moves into a relative's home in Delaware, the immediate costs hit fast — a bed, clothes that fit, school supplies, formula. The state's Kinship Care Program exists for exactly this transition period, but it comes with a deadline most caregivers don't hear about until it's too late.

The 180-Day Window

Delaware's Kinship Care Program, authorized under 31 Del. C. § 356, provides a one-time emergency subsidy for clothes, furniture, and other items needed to accommodate the child, subject to available funds. The hard rule: the child's transition must have occurred within 180 days of your application. Miss that window and the program is off the table for that placement, regardless of how much you need the help.

Eligibility Requirements

The program is administered through DHSS State Service Centers and requires:

• The child must be under 18
• The caregiver must be a relative (within the 5th degree of kinship)
• The caregiver must have guardianship of the child or actively pursue guardianship
• Household income must be no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• The biological parents cannot be living in the home
• The child must have moved in within the last 180 days

What the Program Covers

The Kinship Care Program provides one-time financial help for immediate transition needs. This includes beds, bedding, clothing, educational supplies, shelter-related costs, and health and safety items. It is not a monthly stipend; the program provides one-time assistance to stabilize the placement.

How It Differs from TANF

The Kinship Care Program and child-only TANF serve different purposes. TANF provides ongoing monthly cash grants with no time limit for relative caregivers. The Kinship Care Program covers one-time emergency costs during the first 180 days. You can and should apply for both simultaneously. A TANF child-only grant will continue long after the Kinship Care Program's transition window closes.

How to Apply

Contact your local DHSS State Service Center. Delaware has locations across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Bring proof of the child's identity, your relationship to the child, household income documentation, and evidence of when the child moved into your home (school enrollment records, medical records, or a caregiver statement showing the date of transition).

The Delaware Financial Help for Kinship Caregivers guide includes a document checklist and timeline tracker to help you gather everything before your appointment and apply before the 180-day cutoff.

See more Delaware guides →