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Other Resources in Delaware for Grandparents and Relative Caregivers

The following support services are available to grandparent and relative caregivers if they meet eligibility requirements.

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is Delaware’s main cash assistance program. You can apply for TANF in three different ways:

  1. for yourself;
  2. for yourself and the child you are raising; or
  3. for the child only.

You do not have to have custody or guardianship of the child, but you must be related to him or her. If you are applying for a child-only TANF grant, only the assets and income of the child are considered. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office .

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

General Assistance (GA) is cash payment that can be used for an unemployable adult or for people caring for unrelated children. Only the assets and income of the child are considered when you apply for GA. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office .

KINSHIP CARE PROGRAM

The purpose of the Kinship Care Program is to assist caregivers during the 180 day transition period when a child initially moves into the non-parent caregiver's home. The program assists caregivers in meeting the child's immediate need for clothing, shelter, health, safety, and educational supplies.  For more information, contact the Delaware Helpline (1-800-464-4357) or the State Service Center closest to you.  The Delaware General Assembly provides funding for the Kinship Care Program and it is limited to available state funds.

MEDICAID

Medicaid is medical insurance that pays for doctor’s visits (including well child visits), in-patient and out patient hospital services, lab tests, behavioral health services, prescription medicines, eye exams, glasses, dental care for children, and over-the-counter medicines prescribed by your doctor. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined by income.

Almost any child whose parent is not in the home and who has little or no income of his or her own can get Medicaid health insurance coverage. Low-income children can get Medicaid even if they cannot get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps. If you or the child is eligible, Medicaid coverage may begin immediately. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance office.

DELAWARE HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM

This is a health insurance program for children . If you have not been able to afford medical insurance for your child and you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to purchase very low cost medical insurance through the State of Delaware. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance office .

HELP PAYING YOUR MEDICARE PREMIUM

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible for help with paying all or some of their Medicare premium and, in some cases, payment of Medicare coinsurance and deductibles. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance office.

FOOD STAMPS

Food Stamps help single people and families with little or no income purchase food they need for good health.  A food stamp household consists of people who live together and buy food and prepare meals together.  Spouses and children under the age of 22 who live with their parents must be included in the same food stamp household.  The income of all the household members counts towards the food stamp income limit and determines how many food stamps they get.  You may be eligible for food stamps even if you cannot get assistance from other programs.  For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office .

CHILD CARE (Also known as Purchase of Care)

The purpose of the Division of Social Services Purchase of Care childcare program is to provide support to families who need child care but who cannot pay for all or part of the cost. This service is available to parents, grandparents, or other related adults responsible for the child’s care.

You may get help with day care if you are working full-time or part-time and your income is low enough. If eligible, you will choose among the licensed childcare centers and childcare family or group homes that accept the Purchase of Care reimbursement rate. You may also create your own self-arranged childcare, with the help of your social worker. For more information or to apply, please contact your local Division of Social Services office .

CHILD SUPPORT

The Division of Child Support Enforcement is the State agency that helps custodial parents and caregivers to establish paternity and obtain child support from obligated parents. Services are free to those parents and caregivers that receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or Foster Care services. For more information contact the Division of Child Support Enforcement .

PUBLIC HOUSING

Public housing in Delaware is provided by several different agencies, operating with different regulations. The waiting period for housing varies greatly from one housing agency to the other. You will need to meet income eligibility requirements. You may also be required to have custody of the child you are raising, even it he or she is a relative.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DHSA) Community Relations staff can provide you a with list of affordable housing in your area. They will also provide information for many services, including assistance with one-time rental help, such as a security deposit help, or help with energy bills. DSHA also has section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, as well as other affordable rental and home-ownership programs. For more information, contact DSHA .

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

Behavioral health services (substance abuse and mental health treatment) are available for children in Delaware. For further information contact the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services (DPBHS) .

Last Updated: Thursday April 05 2012
 
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