Housing & Rent Help
- Housing Alliance Delaware — Centralized Intake
The single front door for shelter and homeless services statewide. If you're homeless or about to be, call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-346-3233).
- Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
The state's housing agency: rental vouchers, affordable apartments, first-time homebuyer help, and foreclosure prevention counseling referrals. Call 302-739-4263.
- NCALL
Statewide HUD-approved housing counseling — free help if you're behind on your mortgage or trying to avoid foreclosure. Call 302-678-9400.
Emergency Bills & Cash Assistance
- Delaware TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Monthly cash assistance for very-low-income families with children. Apply online through Delaware ASSIST.
- General Assistance
Small cash payments for adults who can't work and don't qualify for other programs — Delaware is one of the few states that still has this. Apply through Delaware ASSIST.
- First State Community Action Agency
Delaware's community action agency; emergency help with rent, utilities, and household crises, plus budgeting and housing counseling. Call 302-856-7761.
- Catholic Charities — Diocese of Wilmington
Emergency financial assistance, food, and counseling for people of any faith across all three counties. Call 302-655-9624.
Medical Bills & Debt
- Hospital financial assistance (charity care)
Delaware's hospital systems (ChristianaCare, Bayhealth, Beebe, TidalHealth) all have financial assistance programs that can reduce or erase bills — ask the billing office for a "financial assistance application," or call 2-1-1 for help.
- Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI) — debt help
Free legal help if you're being sued over medical debt or facing aggressive collectors. Call 302-575-0660.
- Delaware Medicaid retroactive coverage
If you qualify for Medicaid, it may pay medical bills from up to three months before you applied — apply through Delaware ASSIST even if the bill has already arrived.
Utilities
- Delaware Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Helps pay heating and cooling bills and can stop a shut-off in a crisis. Applications are handled by Catholic Charities — call 302-654-9295 (New Castle), 302-674-1600 (Kent), or 302-856-9578 (Sussex).
- Division of the Public Advocate — Utility Bill Assistance
State office listing every utility hardship program in Delaware and helping customers deal with Delmarva Power and other utilities. Call 302-241-2555.
- Weatherization Assistance Program
Free home energy repairs and insulation for low-income households to permanently lower bills; ask about it when you apply for energy assistance, or call 2-1-1.
Food
- Delaware SNAP (Food Supplement Program)
Monthly grocery money on an EBT card. Apply online at Delaware ASSIST.
- Food Bank of Delaware
The statewide food bank; find pantries and mobile distributions, and get free help applying for SNAP. Call 302-292-1305.
- Delaware WIC
Free healthy food, formula, and nutrition support for pregnant people and children under 5. Call 1-800-222-2189.
Healthcare Coverage & Free Care
- Delaware Medicaid (Diamond State Health Plan)
Free health coverage for low-income adults, families, and people with disabilities. Apply through Delaware ASSIST.
- Delaware Healthy Children Program (CHIP)
Low-cost health insurance (25/month, no copays) for uninsured kids under 19. Call 1-800-996-9969.
- Choose Health Delaware
The state's guide to signing up for marketplace insurance on HealthCare.gov, with free local enrollment helpers.
- Westside Family Healthcare
Community health centers that see patients with or without insurance on a sliding-fee scale, at sites in New Castle and Kent counties.
Mental Health & Crisis
- Delaware Hope Line
1-833-9-HOPEDE (1-833-946-7333), free 24/7 line for mental health and substance use support, staffed by counselors and peers.
- Help is Here Delaware
The state's one-stop site for finding addiction treatment and recovery services, including where to get naloxone.
- Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)
The state behavioral health agency; runs mobile crisis teams and publicly funded treatment for people without insurance.
Childcare & Family
- Purchase of Care (child care assistance)
Delaware's child care subsidy; pays most of your child care bill while you work or attend school/training. Apply through Delaware ASSIST.
- My Child DE
The state's family-friendly site for finding licensed child care, early intervention, and financial help for young children.
- Children & Families First
Statewide nonprofit with parenting support, kinship care help for relatives raising children, and Head Start / Early Head Start programs. Call 1-800-220-3092.
Transportation & Employment
- Delaware Unemployment Insurance
File a claim online for weekly payments after losing a job or losing hours. Claims: 302-761-8446.
- Delaware Department of Labor — Employment & Training
Free American Job Center services: resume help, job leads, and paid training programs. Search jobs at Delaware JobLink.
- DART First State — Reduced Fares
Statewide bus system with reduced fares for seniors and people with disabilities, and travel training to help you get around.
Legal Aid & Immigration
- Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI)
Free civil legal help for people with low incomes, disabilities, or age 60+, including housing, benefits, and immigration cases. Call 302-575-0660 (New Castle), 302-674-8500 (Kent), 302-856-0038 (Sussex).
- Legal Services Corporation of Delaware
Free legal help with evictions, debt collection, bankruptcy, and utility shut-offs. Call 302-575-0408.
- Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
Volunteer lawyers handling family law, guardianship, and other civil cases for people who can't afford an attorney. Call 302-478-8680.