Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Delaware: Kinship Care, TANF, and Support

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: 7 April 2026

Bottom Line: In Delaware, most grandparents who privately take in a grandchild start with child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Delaware ASSIST applications for food and health coverage, and the Kinship Care Program if the child moved in within the last 180 days. If you need legal authority quickly, Delaware also has a school authorization affidavit and a separate medical authorization affidavit, while longer cases usually need a Family Court guardianship case.

Important Delaware point: As of 7 April 2026, Delaware clearly publishes short-term kinship help and child-only TANF for informal relative care, but not a broad long-term monthly kinship stipend for private grandparent caregivers outside the foster care system. If the child was placed with you by the Division of Family Services (DFS), ask right away whether you are a foster placement, because that can change payment, Medicaid, and court rules.

Emergency help now

Quick help

What this help actually looks like in Delaware

Do this first: Figure out which Delaware lane you are in. Private family care, court guardianship, and DFS foster care are not the same thing. They lead to different money, forms, and deadlines.

If this is your situation Best first move in Delaware Who handles it What it usually unlocks
The child moved in privately and no court order exists yet Open child-only TANF, SNAP, and health coverage in ASSIST DSS / State Service Centers Cash for the child, food help, and health coverage review
The child moved in within the last 180 days Ask for the Kinship Care Program DHSS / State Service Centers Short-term help with clothing, shelter, health, and school needs
You need school or doctor authority before court is finished Use the school and medical affidavits School district / health providers / DHSS caregiver forms School enrollment and routine medical consent
The child will likely stay with you long-term File for guardianship Delaware Family Court Legal authority and a path to child support
DFS or the court placed the child with you Ask if this is a foster placement DFS Foster Care Possible foster stipend and Medicaid

Quick facts

  • Best immediate takeaway: In Delaware, the first money questions are usually child-only TANF and the 180-day Kinship Care Program, not foster care payments.
  • One major rule: The Kinship Care Program requires the child’s move into your home to have happened within 180 days of the application.
  • One realistic obstacle: Missing birth certificates, parent signatures, and proof of relationship slow many cases down.
  • One useful fact: Delaware school law says a child can still be enrolled if you file for custody or guardianship and give the school the date-stamped petition within 10 business days.
  • Best next step: Start the benefits case now, then file for guardianship if the child is likely staying with you.

Legal custody vs kinship care vs informal caregiving

Do this first: Ask whether DFS placed the child with you, or whether the family arranged it privately.

  • Informal caregiving: The child lives with you, but there is no court order yet. In Delaware, this can still work for child-only TANF, the Kinship Care Program, and the school and medical affidavits.
  • Guardianship: Family Court guardianship gives you legal authority to act like a parent for most decisions, but the parent’s rights are not fully terminated.
  • Formal kinship foster care: If DFS has custody and places the child with you, you may qualify for the foster care stipend and child Medicaid. Do not assume private family care is the same as foster care.

Plain-English warning: In Delaware, “kinship care” can mean more than one thing. It may mean private relative care, a short-term DHSS kinship payment, or a DFS relative foster placement. Always ask the worker which one they mean.

Who qualifies in plain language

Most Delaware grandparents should check all of these:

  • Child-only TANF: Grandparents or other relatives caring for a minor child. The current TANF page says a non-parent caretaker can be the payee for related children in their care, and the caretaker’s income does not count, although the child’s income may count.
  • Kinship Care Program: The child must be under 18, the caregiver must be a relative within the 5th degree, family income must be below 200% of the federal poverty level, the parents cannot live in the home, and the move must have happened within 180 days of the application under the official program rules.
  • School and medical affidavits: These are for relatives named in Delaware law who are caring for the child but do not yet have legal custody or guardianship.
  • Guardianship: Any adult age 18 or older can ask Family Court for guardianship. If the person is not a relative, DFS must assess the placement.
  • Foster care stipend: Usually only when the child is in DFS custody and you are approved as the foster placement.

Best first steps after a grandparent takes in a child

Move fast in the first week: Delaware has a few tools that work best early.

  • Make the child safe: Get medicine, school records, names of doctors, and any court or DFS papers you can.
  • Open benefits right away: Use Delaware ASSIST or call 1-866-843-7212 for TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid.
  • Ask about the 180-day program: If the move is recent, contact the Kinship Care Program before that window closes.
  • Fix school and doctor authority: Use the school affidavit and medical affidavit if court is not finished.
  • Decide if you need court authority: If the child may stay for months, start a guardianship case sooner, not later.

Financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren

Do this first: In Delaware, the fastest realistic money path for most private caregivers is a child-only TANF case plus any short-term kinship help you can still claim.

Child-only TANF for grandparents raising grandchildren

  • What it is: Delaware’s TANF program lets a non-parent caretaker be the payee for related children in their care.
  • Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and other relatives caring for a minor child. Delaware’s TANF manual also says an adult getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may still be the payee for the child’s TANF grant.
  • How it helps: Delaware says the caretaker’s income does not count, although the child’s income may count. The state’s published 2025-2026 TANF standards also give a clear starting point for the maximum child-only amount.
  • How to apply or use it: Apply through ASSIST or call DSS customer relations at 1-866-843-7212. The TANF page says an application and interview are required.
  • What to gather or know first: Your ID, the child’s name and date of birth, proof the child lives with you, proof of relationship, and any child income such as child support or survivor benefits.
Children on the child-only TANF grant Delaware’s published maximum monthly amount for 2025-2026
1 $201
2 $270
3 $338
4 $407
5 $475
6 $544

Important: Those are Delaware’s published maximum figures from the 2025-2026 TANF standards. Your actual child-only grant can be lower if the child has countable income.

Kinship care payments and kinship navigator help in this state

  • What it is: Delaware’s Kinship Care Program helps relatives during the first 180 days after a child moves into their home.
  • Who can get it or use it: The child must be under 18, the caregiver must be a relative within the 5th degree, family income must be below 200% of the federal poverty level, the parents cannot live in the home, and the child’s move must be recent enough.
  • How it helps: The state says the program can help with clothing, shelter, health, safety, and educational supplies. It also says funding is limited to available state funds.
  • How to apply or use it: Start with the State Service Centers office finder, the Delaware HelpLine at 1-800-464-4357, or the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074.
  • What to gather or know first: The date the child moved in, proof of relationship, proof the parents are not living with you, income papers, and bills or receipts tied to the child’s immediate needs.

Guardianship assistance for older caregivers

  • What it is: Family Court guardianship gives a non-parent legal authority to care for a child until age 18, and the court says the order also includes custody.
  • Who can get it or use it: Any adult age 18 or older. If the caregiver is not a relative, DFS must assess the placement.
  • How it helps: Family Court says a guardian can make decisions about education, travel, medical treatment, legal matters, welfare, upbringing, and where the child will live. Parents may still be ordered to pay support, but the court says that requires a separate child support filing.
  • How to apply or use it: Use the Delaware Family Court guardianship page. If the child came through foster care and later reaches permanent guardianship, Delaware’s post-adoption supports are also available to permanent guardians of children who experienced foster care in Delaware.
  • What to gather or know first: Birth certificates, parent contact information, any existing court papers, and a short explanation of why the child is living with you now.

Important reality check: For most private caregivers, guardianship creates legal authority. By itself, it does not create a new monthly Delaware cash payment.

Can grandparents get foster care payments?

  • What it is: If the child is in DFS foster care and you are approved as the foster home, Delaware says foster parents receive a non-taxable stipend of about $20 to $55 a day per child.
  • Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and other relatives caring for a child through a DFS placement, not just a private family arrangement.
  • How it helps: Delaware says the stipend is meant to help care for the child, and Medicaid is also provided for the child’s medical, dental, and counseling needs.
  • How to apply or use it: If DFS is involved, call 302-633-2657 and ask if your home is being treated as foster care or kinship foster care. If DFS is not involved, start with child-only TANF and kinship-care options instead.
  • What to gather or know first: Any DFS placement papers, court orders, the caseworker’s name, and the child’s current insurance information.

School enrollment and medical consent issues

Do this first: Do not wait for the guardianship hearing if school or doctor visits cannot wait.

School enrollment without custody

  • What it is: Delaware’s Relative Caregivers’ School Authorization Affidavit lets a relative caregiver enroll a child in public school without custody or guardianship.
  • Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and other relatives listed in Delaware law.
  • How it helps: The affidavit makes you the school contact and lets you make school decisions, including special education decisions and school-based medical decisions.
  • How to apply or use it: Get the affidavit from the official DHSS page or your local district. Delaware says school personnel can help you complete it. If you cannot get every proof, Delaware law says the school must still permit enrollment if you provide a date-stamped custody or guardianship petition within 10 business days.
  • What to gather or know first: Proof of your age, proof of relationship, proof the child lives with you full-time, parent signatures or proof you tried to locate them, and a notary. Delaware’s official instructions also explain the January 1 filing rule and August 1 expiration rule.

If the district says no: Delaware law says you can appeal the district’s decision to the local board of education.

Medical consent without custody

  • What it is: Delaware’s Relative Caregivers’ Medical Authorization Affidavit lets a relative caregiver approve ordinary medical care for a child without custody or guardianship.
  • Who can get it or use it: Relatives named in Title 13, Sections 707 and 708 who are caring for the child in their home.
  • How it helps: The law covers routine medical and dental treatment, preventive care, and many ordinary health needs. Delaware law says the affidavit is valid for 1 year.
  • How to apply or use it: Use the official DHSS page, complete the affidavit, and have the caregiver signature notarized. Bring a copy to appointments.
  • What to gather or know first: Proof of relationship, proof the child lives with you, parent signatures or proof of reasonable efforts to locate them, and a notary. Under Delaware law, a parent, legal custodian, or guardian can override your decision.

Medicaid and health insurance for grandchildren in a grandparent’s care

Do this first: File the health coverage application the same day you file TANF or SNAP.

Delaware Medicaid and the Delaware Healthy Children Program

  • What it is: Children in a grandparent’s home may qualify for Delaware Medicaid or the Delaware Healthy Children Program, Delaware’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.
  • Who can get it or use it: Children under 19 who live in Delaware and meet the program rules. Delaware’s 2026 medical assistance income chart says the Delaware Healthy Children income limit at 212% of the federal poverty level is $5,830 a month for a family of 4.
  • How it helps: Delaware says coverage may include doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, vision, therapy, and mental health care. Most Delaware Medicaid members use one of three managed care organizations: AmeriHealth Caritas, Delaware First Health, or Highmark Health Options. Delaware also says prescriptions and non-emergency medical transportation are covered directly by Medicaid, not by the health plan.
  • How to apply or use it: Apply through ASSIST, call the Health Benefit Manager at 1-800-996-9969, or ask DSS for a paper application. If you do not pick a plan, Delaware says one can be assigned.
  • What to gather or know first: The child’s Social Security number if available, current insurance cards, income proof, and your current mailing address. If your address changes, update it through ASSIST or the Change Report Center so coverage notices do not go to the wrong place.

Food help and child benefits for kinship families

Do this first: Ask DSS to review the child’s food needs right away, but remember that SNAP household rules are not the same as child-only TANF rules.

SNAP, school meals, and SUN Bucks

  • What it is: Delaware’s Food Supplement Program is SNAP. School breakfast, lunch, and SUN Bucks can also help.
  • Who can get it or use it: SNAP eligibility depends on who lives and eats together. Delaware’s SNAP page says most households use a 200% federal poverty level gross-income test and that there is no resource test for most households under that gross limit.
  • How it helps: SNAP adds food money to an EBT card. Children receiving SNAP, TANF, certain Medicaid, or school meal approval may also qualify for SUN Bucks in summer.
  • How to apply or use it: Use ASSIST or call 1-866-843-7212. Also ask the school about breakfast, lunch, and summer meal paperwork.
  • What to gather or know first: Proof of income, who buys and cooks food together, and school information. SUN Bucks rules change each year, so use the current state page for the year’s amount and deadline.

Housing help for seniors raising grandchildren

Do this first: If taking in the child puts your housing or utilities at risk, contact Delaware’s housing and emergency-help system before you miss a payment or get disconnected.

Emergency housing, utility help, and longer-term rental options

  • What it is: Delaware’s State Service Centers handle Emergency Assistance, community resource help, and links to LIHEAP. For shelter emergencies, the state points people to Housing Alliance Delaware Centralized Intake.
  • Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and kinship families facing rent, utility, or shelter problems.
  • How it helps: The State Service Centers page says Delaware has 15 centers statewide and that four offices have Wednesday hours until 6 p.m.: Hudson in Newark, Northeast in Wilmington, Williams in Dover, and Adams in Georgetown. For longer-term public housing and voucher waitlists, Delaware’s housing authorities now use a shared application system.
  • How to apply or use it: Call DSS customer relations at 1-866-843-7212, use the office finder, call 211, or contact Centralized Intake at 1-833-346-3233. For housing waitlists, use Delaware Affordable Housing.
  • What to gather or know first: Lease papers, shutoff notices, eviction notices, and proof the child lives with you. The State Service Centers page says Canby Park, Churchman’s Corporate Center, and Robscott do not offer Emergency Assistance or LIHEAP emergency help. The DSHA guide also says some special voucher programs are referral-only.

Support groups and respite help for older caregivers

Do this first: Ask for support before you are burned out.

ADRC, community kinship help, and respite linked to foster-care cases

  • What it is: The Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center, Delaware 211, and the Grandparent Resource Center can help older caregivers find support. If your child has foster care history and you have permanent guardianship or adoption, Delaware’s post-adoption supports offer support groups, specialized child care, respite, counseling, and crisis help.
  • Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and other relative caregivers, especially older adults, plus permanent guardians of children who experienced foster care in Delaware.
  • How it helps: These resources can connect you to peer support, case guidance, parenting education, respite, and practical community help.
  • How to apply or use it: Call ADRC at 1-800-223-9074, call or text Delaware 211, or go directly to the post-adoption supports page if your family fits that program.
  • What to gather or know first: A short list of your biggest problems right now, such as child care, behavior, school, transportation, or respite.

How grandparents can apply for benefits in this state

Do this first: Use one folder, one notebook, and one calendar for every Delaware office you deal with.

  • Open ASSIST first: Start with Delaware ASSIST for TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid.
  • Call if the portal fails: DSS customer relations is 1-866-843-7212. If uploads fail, save screenshots and try the nearest State Service Center.
  • Tell DSS the exact setup: Say, “I am a grandparent raising my grandchild, the parent is not in my home, and I want to be screened for child-only TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid.”
  • Ask about the 180-day clock: Tell the worker the date the child moved in and ask whether the Kinship Care Program still applies.
  • Use school and medical forms while court is pending: Do not let a long court timeline stop school or doctor visits.
  • File guardianship if the placement is lasting: Use the Family Court guardianship page if the child is likely staying with you.
  • If an adult child is helping you: Put that helper on every call, keep copies of every notice, and write down the date, time, and name of each worker you talk to.

What documents grandparents need

Gather these before you call if you can:

  • ☐ Your photo ID and proof of Delaware address
  • ☐ The child’s birth certificate, Social Security number, and any insurance card you can find
  • ☐ Proof of relationship, which may be a birth-certificate chain, school records, medical records, or other proofs listed in Delaware’s school affidavit FAQ
  • ☐ Proof the child lives with you full-time, such as lease papers, school records, medical records, or a letter from a social worker or professional
  • ☐ Any court orders, police papers, DFS papers, or notarized family letters
  • ☐ Pay stubs, Social Security award letters, and any income the child receives
  • ☐ Parent contact information, or proof of your efforts to locate the parent if you need school or medical affidavits
  • ☐ Rent, utility, shutoff, or eviction papers if housing is unstable

Reality checks

  • TANF and SNAP are not the same: Child-only TANF may leave your income out, but SNAP looks at who lives and eats together.

  • The kinship program is time-limited: Delaware’s Kinship Care Program is tied to the first 180 days after the child moves in and is limited to available funds.

  • School and medical forms need proof and a notary: Many delays happen because caregivers do not bring proof of relationship or proof they tried to locate the parent.

  • DFS record requests take time: The DSCYF records page says records requests generally need at least 30 days. Do not wait on that process before applying for benefits or filing school papers.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting for a guardianship hearing before opening benefits
  • Assuming private family care automatically pays foster care rates
  • Going to the wrong DSS building for emergency housing or LIHEAP help
  • Forgetting the school affidavit’s 10-business-day court-petition rule when documents are missing
  • Not updating your address after a move

Best options by need

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

  • Ask for the exact reason in writing: Do not accept “you are not eligible” without a notice.
  • Check whether the wrong program was used: Some grandparents are screened as full-family TANF when they really need a child-only case.
  • Ask what proof is missing: If DSS or the school wants more papers, ask for the exact document name, not just “more proof.”
  • Fix address problems fast: Update your mailing address through ASSIST or the Change Report Center.
  • Use Delaware’s appeal paths: For school affidavit denials, appeal to the local board of education. For DSS benefits, read the deadline on your notice and ask how to request a fair hearing.
  • Call the right office: For foster care status questions, call 302-633-2657. For legal help, contact Legal Services Corporation of Delaware. For general navigation, call 211 or ADRC.

Plan B / backup options

  • If child-only TANF is delayed, push SNAP, school meals, and the Kinship Care Program at the same time.
  • If guardianship will take a while, use the school and medical affidavits now.
  • If housing is unstable, ask for emergency help first and waitlist help second.
  • If you feel stuck, ask Delaware 211 for a local kinship or grandparent resource instead of starting over alone.

Local resources

Access notes for seniors with disabilities, Spanish-speaking families, and rural families

Frequently asked questions

Can I get child-only TANF in Delaware if I do not have guardianship yet?

Often, yes. Delaware’s current TANF page says a non-parent caretaker can be the payee for related children in their care, and the caretaker’s income does not count, although the child’s income may count. That is why many grandparents ask DSS for a child-only case first and then work on guardianship after the child is safe and the benefits case is open.

Does Delaware have a separate monthly kinship care stipend for grandparents?

Delaware clearly publishes the Kinship Care Program, but that program is short-term and tied to the first 180 days after the child moves in. Delaware’s public pages do not clearly show a broad long-term monthly kinship stipend for private informal grandparent caregivers outside foster care. If DFS placed the child with you, ask whether you qualify for the foster care stipend instead.

How do I put my grandchild in school if I only have informal care?

Use Delaware’s Relative Caregivers’ School Authorization Affidavit. If you are missing some proofs, Delaware law says the school must still allow enrollment if you file a custody or guardianship petition and give the school the date-stamped petition within 10 business days. If the district denies the affidavit, you can appeal to the local board of education.

How do I take my grandchild to the doctor without custody?

Use Delaware’s Relative Caregivers’ Medical Authorization Affidavit. Under Title 13, Sections 707 and 708, this can let a relative caregiver approve ordinary medical treatment for a child in the caregiver’s home. The affidavit is valid for one year and should be kept with you for appointments.

Can my grandchild get Medicaid or Delaware Healthy Children while living with me?

Yes, many can. Start with Delaware ASSIST or call the Health Benefit Manager at 1-800-996-9969. If the child is uninsured and under 19, Delaware Healthy Children may be an option, and if the child is in foster care, Medicaid is included.

What should I do if DSS, the school, or another office keeps asking for more papers?

Ask for the exact missing item, get the request in writing if possible, and keep a copy of what you turn in. If DSS denies a benefit, read the deadline on the notice and ask how to request a fair hearing. If a school denies a caregiver affidavit, appeal to the local board of education. If you need help sorting it out, contact Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Delaware 211, or ADRC.

Resumen en español

Si usted es abuelo, abuela u otro familiar que está criando a un niño en Delaware, empiece con Delaware ASSIST para pedir TANF solo para el niño, SNAP y cobertura médica. Si el niño llegó a su casa hace menos de 180 días, también pregunte por el Kinship Care Program. No espere a terminar un caso de tutela para pedir ayuda básica. Si necesita inscribir al niño en la escuela ya, use la autorización escolar para cuidadores familiares.

Si necesita llevar al niño al médico y no tiene custodia legal, revise la autorización médica para cuidadores familiares. Si el niño va a quedarse con usted por más tiempo, mire la página de guardianship de Family Court. Si DFS colocó al niño con usted, pregunte de inmediato si el caso cuenta como foster care, porque eso puede cambiar los pagos y Medicaid. Para ayuda local, llame a ADRC al 1-800-223-9074 o a Delaware 211.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including Delaware Health and Social Services, the Delaware courts, the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, the Delaware State Housing Authority, Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, and Delaware 211.

  • Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
  • Verification: Last verified April 7, 2026, next review August 7, 2026.
  • Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.
  • Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, deadlines, and availability can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official Delaware program, office, school district, court, health plan, or provider before acting.

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About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.