Delaware Purchase of Care Program for Kinship Caregivers

Childcare is one of the fastest-growing costs when you suddenly find yourself raising a grandchild or relative's child. If you're working, training for a new job, or enrolled in school, Delaware's Purchase of Care (POC) program can cover a significant portion of childcare costs through direct payments to licensed providers.

How POC Works

The Division of Social Services administers POC. Instead of giving you cash, DSS pays subsidized rates directly to the licensed childcare provider you choose. You may be assigned a sliding-scale co-payment based on your household income, but for many kinship families, the co-payment is modest.

Income Eligibility

POC has two income thresholds:

• At application: household income must be at or below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level
• At redetermination: if income is between 200% and 325% FPL, child-care assistance continues through a graduated 12-month phase-out. A case closes if income exceeds 85% of State Median Income or the family no longer needs care.

When a child lives with a non-parent caretaker, DSS excludes the caretaker from the child-care assistance family group and counts the child's income.

These thresholds are significantly higher than TANF or SNAP limits, so many kinship families who don't qualify for cash assistance can still get childcare help.

You Need a "Purpose for Care"

POC requires a qualifying reason for care. This can include wages from employment, participation in TANF or Food Benefit Employment and Training, approved job training or education, DFS protective services, or a documented special need. A caregiver's condition may qualify when it prevents the caregiver from caring for the child for part of the day, with medical documentation. Age or retirement status alone doesn't qualify.

Applying for POC

Apply through the ASSIST portal (assist.dhss.delaware.gov) or at a State Service Center. You'll need proof of income, proof of your purpose for care (pay stubs showing employment, school enrollment verification, or medical documentation), and the child's identity documents.

POC and TANF Together

If the child receives a TANF child-only grant and the caregiver is not the child's natural or adoptive parent, DSS waives the POC co-payment. The two programs work together — TANF covers the child's basic cash needs while POC helps with the childcare that lets you maintain employment or training.

The Delaware Financial Help for Kinship Caregivers guide explains how POC eligibility works alongside other benefits and helps you figure out whether your situation meets the "purpose for care" requirement.

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