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.

Delaware LIHEAP FAQ Sheet

Table of Contents 

What Is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?

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.

What Does LIHEAP Cover in Delaware?

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:

  • Past-due utility bills
  • Deliverable fuel (propane and wood)
  • Disconnection/reconnection fees

For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Delaware, see the Delaware state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.

About LIHEAP Crisis Assistance

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:

  • Is in danger of having their utilities disconnected
  • Has already had their utilities disconnected by their service provider.
  • Is dangerously low on fuel.
  • Is impacted by a natural disaster.

A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:

  • A member of the household is a medical or health risk because of energy loss.
  • A member of the household has a condition that requires the use of a medical device/medication that requires energy.

For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is $10,000.

Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 13 of the Detailed Model Plan here.

How Much Assistance Does LIHEAP Provide in Delaware?

To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Division of State Service Centers will consider:

  1. Your household size and income for the month prior to your application
  2. The fuel type you need (electricity, propane, natural gas, or heating oil)

Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.

As of 2024, the maximum annual benefit amount in Delaware is $4,973 for heating and $1,000 for cooling, and the minimum benefit amount is $200 for heating and $1 for cooling.

How to Qualify for LIHEAP in Delaware

To qualify for LIHEAP in Delaware, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of the state
  • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident
  • Have an out-of-pocket energy expense from an account opened in the name of the head of the household or their spouse
  • Have an annual income that is less than the LIHEAP income limit for your household size, which is no more than 150 percent of the established Federal Poverty Level (FPL). To view the annual income limits, click here.

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:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more here.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Learn more here.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Learn more here.

How to Apply for LIHEAP in Delaware

Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP heating assistance from October 1st - April 30th each year and LIHEAP cooling assistance from May 1st until August 31st. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.

To apply for LIHEAP in Delaware, complete the following three steps:

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.
    Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.
  2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, by phone or in person. 

To apply online, click here.

To apply by phone or in person, find your nearest Catholic Charities, Inc. location and contact information here.

  1. Submit the LIHEAP application and other required documents. Access the Delaware LIHEAP application 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.

What You Will Need to Apply

When applying for Delaware LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:

  • Personal and financial information about yourself and the members of your household
  • Details about your home and its heating

The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:

  • Names, birth dates and Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Utility bill information (vendor name and account number)
  • Residence information (landlord’s name, address and phone number, if renting)
  • Income verification for the last three months (pay stubs)

Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.

How to Check Your Application Status

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.

What Happens After You Apply for LIHEAP in Delaware?

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.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

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:

  • Phone: (302) 255-9744 
  • Fax: (302) 255-4463

Need More Help?

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:

  • Kent County: (302) 674-1782
  • New Castle County: (302) 654-9295
  • Sussex County: (302) 856-6310

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.

View or Download Our Free Guide

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 our free guide here.

Last Updated: January 24, 2024