If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Delaware-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: handle cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen Unemployment Insurance (UI) through the Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) and certify weekly online through the UI Benefits Portal.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Supplement Program) and Delaware Medicaid through Delaware ASSIST.
Check if your family qualifies for WIC through local public health clinics. - Keep the lights and heat on: Apply for Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP) through the Division of State Service Centers (DSSC)and check Delmarva Power or Chesapeake Utilities for hardship programs.
- Housing stability: Connect with the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) for rent and mortgage support, and contact HUD Delaware for emergency housing resources.
- One-stop referrals: Call 2-1-1 Delaware or visit online for help with utilities, food, healthcare, housing, and mental health services.
🔗 Links & Resources (Delaware)
Income & Jobs
Delaware Unemployment Insurance Benefits (DOL):
🔗 https://ui.delawareworks.com/
Delaware JobLink (employment & training):
🔗 https://joblink.delaware.gov/
Delaware Department of Labor (main site):
🔗 https://labor.delaware.gov/
Food Access
SNAP (Food Supplement Program) — Delaware Health & Social Services (DHSS):
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/foodstamps.html
Apply for SNAP, Medicaid, and more (Delaware ASSIST):
🔗 https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children Program):
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/chca/dphwicmain.html
Food Bank of Delaware (food pantries statewide):
🔗 https://www.fbd.org/get-help/
Health Coverage
Delaware Medicaid:
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/
Delaware Healthy Children Program (CHIP):
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/dhcp.html
Choose Health Delaware (Marketplace):
🔗 https://www.choosehealthde.com/
Community Health Centers (Federally Qualified):
🔗 https://www.delawarechc.com/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP):
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/liheap.html
Delmarva Power — assistance programs:
🔗 https://www.delmarva.com/MyAccount/MyBillUsage/pages/AssistancePrograms.aspx
Chesapeake Utilities — payment & emergency support:
🔗 https://www.chpkgas.com/residential/assistance-programs/
Weatherization Assistance Program (State of Delaware):
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/weatherization.html
Housing
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA):
🔗 https://www.destatehousing.com/
HUD Delaware — emergency housing resources:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/delaware
Homeless Planning Council of Delaware (HPDC):
🔗 https://www.hpcdelaware.org/
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 Delaware (United Way):
🔗 https://delaware211.org/
Division of State Service Centers (DSSC):
🔗 https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/
Legal Help
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI):
🔗 https://www.declasi.org/
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services (DVLS):
🔗 https://dvls.org/
Legal Services Corporation of Delaware (LSCD):
🔗 https://lscd.com/
Delaware State Bar Association Referral Service:
🔗 https://www.dsba.org/
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.