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Kinship Care Program

The Kinship Care Program provides in-kind assistance for clothing, shelter, health, safety, and educational supplies to non-parent relative caregivers such as grandparents caring for children under 18 during the 180-day transition period, with eligibility requiring family income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Eligibility

  • Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
  • Care recipient age: under 18
  • Must live with care recipient
  • Relationship: grandparent, other relative

Questions to ask the program

These are questions to ask the program, not a verdict on your eligibility. Confirm the current rules directly with the program.

  • Does the person receiving care live in Delaware? — Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
  • Does your relationship to the person — grandparent or other relative — count for this program?
  • What are the current income and asset limits, and whose income counts? — Our record lists 200% of the federal poverty level — limits change, so confirm the current figures.
  • Is the person receiving care in the covered age range (up to 18)?
  • Do you need to live with the person receiving care, and how is that verified?
  • Is there a caregiver-specific department, coordinator, or support line? Ask for it by name. — Many agencies have one that isn’t advertised on the website.
  • What documents do you need from us to start an application?
  • Is there a waitlist right now, and how long is it?

How to apply

  • Visit a Delaware State Service Center, call 302-255-9040, or email DHSS_DSSC@delaware.gov to speak with a DSS case manager; apply online through the ASSIST self-service portal or complete a paper application

Use the official program page for application details: official program page.