While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Table of Contents
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Delaware, LIHEAP is administered by the Division of State Service Centers (DSSC) with Catholic Charities, Inc.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Delaware, click here.
The Division of State Service Centers oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Delaware, see the Delaware state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of Delaware defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household with young children, elderly members or disabled individuals:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is $15,000.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 13 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Division of State Service Centers will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount in Delaware is $1,627 for heating and $1,000 for cooling, and the minimum benefit amount is $100 for heating and $1 for cooling.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Delaware, you must meet the following requirements:
The Division of State Service Centers prioritizes households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Delaware here by scrolling down to the table that displays income at 200 percent of the FPL.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP heating assistance from July 1st until March 31st each year and LIHEAP cooling assistance from April 1st until August 15th. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.
To apply for LIHEAP in Delaware, complete the following three steps:
To apply online, click here.
To apply by phone or in person, find your nearest Catholic Charities, Inc. location and contact information here.
Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted year-round.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Catholic Charities, Inc. Find the contact information for your nearest Catholic Charities, Inc. here.
When applying for Delaware LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.
You can call the Catholic Charities, Inc. where you applied to directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The Division of State Service Centers will notify you within 7 to 10 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied Delaware LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your local Catholic Charities, Inc. where you applied within 5 days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local Catholic Charities, Inc. location and contact information here.
If the Catholic Charities, Inc. representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Division of State Service Centers. To begin this process, write a letter requesting an appeal and mail it to:
Department of Health and Social Services
Herman Holloway Campus
Charles Debnam Building
1901 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, Delaware 19720
Once the Department of Health and Social Services receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.
If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the Department of Health and Social Services:
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Delaware or require further assistance, contact your local Catholic Charities, Inc. Find your nearest Catholic Charities, Inc. location and contact information here and below:
You can also contact the Delaware Helpline at 211 or (800) 464-4357.
Or, call the Division of State Service Centers benefits phone line at (302) 255-9875.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 16, 2022