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Delaware utility help for older adults
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Delaware has several ways to help with electric, gas, heating fuel, water, phone, and internet costs. The right path depends on the bill, your utility company, your household income, and whether you already have a shutoff notice. Most programs are not limited to seniors, but older adults can use them when they meet the rules.
Bottom Line
If you need help with heating or cooling costs, start with Delaware’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, called the Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP). The current winter heating period runs from October 1 through March 31, and crisis help is available year-round for qualifying households. If you have a shutoff notice, call your utility the same day and ask about a payment arrangement while you apply for assistance.
There is also an important 2026 change: Energize Delaware says the Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund has exhausted its money. Its broader Delaware Energy Fund is currently available, and qualifying Delmarva customers may now be able to use that fund. Do not rely on an older announcement saying the Delmarva-only fund is still open.
If Shutoff Is Close
- Call your utility first. Tell the company you have a shutoff or disconnection notice and ask what payment arrangement can stop or delay termination.
- Apply for DEAP crisis help. Delaware lists crisis assistance as available year-round for qualifying households with a shutoff notice, very low fuel, or past-due energy bills.
- Use Delaware 211. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to find local utility-payment resources.
- Use medical protection if it applies. Delaware law can block termination when loss of gas, water, or electricity would harm an occupant’s health and a qualified medical professional provides the required signed certification.
Start Here
- Open your latest bill and write down the utility name, amount past due, shutoff date, account number, and service address.
- For heating, cooling, or energy crisis help, use the official Delaware utility assistance page or apply through the ASSIST portal.
- If you are unsure which program fits, call the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074 or use the Delaware 211 utility directory.
For broader benefit screening, the GFS guide to the Delaware ASSIST portal explains how Delaware’s online benefits system fits with other assistance.
| Problem | Best first route | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Heating or cooling bill | DEAP / LIHEAP | Seasonal assistance and current application rules |
| Shutoff notice or past-due energy bill | Utility + DEAP crisis assistance | Payment arrangement, crisis help, and shutoff protections |
| Electric or gas balance beyond LIHEAP | Delaware Energy Fund | Current funding, income screening, and required energy checkup |
| Water bill | Water provider + State Service Center + 211 | Payment plan and locally funded bill assistance |
| Home wastes energy | Weatherization Assistance Program | Free energy audit and eligible efficiency work |
| Phone or internet cost | Federal Lifeline | Monthly service discount and participating providers |
How Utility Help Works in Delaware
Delaware does not have one senior utility grant for every bill. Help is split among DEAP, State Service Centers, Energize Delaware, utility companies, weatherization, and local resources.
The provider matters. Delmarva Power is the electric distribution company regulated by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC), while some households use Delaware Electric Cooperative or municipal systems. The DPA consumer information page explains PSC-regulated utilities.
If you are an older adult and the utility system feels hard to sort out, Delaware’s Aging and Disability Resource Center can help you find the right agency. Its statewide number is 1-800-223-9074. The GFS Delaware aging agencies guide also explains the senior-service network.
DEAP and LIHEAP: The Main Energy-Assistance Route
Delaware uses federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) money through the Delaware Energy Assistance Program, or DEAP. Delaware Health and Social Services says eligibility is income-based and capped at 60% of Delaware’s State Median Income. DEAP is supplemental, so it may not pay the whole bill.
Winter Heating Assistance
Winter Heating Assistance is available from October 1 through March 31. It can help eligible homeowners and renters with electricity, natural gas, oil, kerosene, propane, coal, or wood used for heating. Because this article was verified October 3, 2026, the current heating window has begun.
Crisis Assistance
Crisis Assistance is available year-round. Delaware lists a shutoff or disconnection notice, a fuel tank at or below 10%, and past-due energy bills as crisis situations. Crisis help may be used with Winter Heating Assistance.
Summer Cooling Assistance
Summer Cooling Assistance provides a one-time payment to offset summer electricity costs. Delaware also says a household with a demonstrated need may qualify for a free window air conditioner. A household must have applied for LIHEAP during the program year before qualifying for the cooling benefit.
How to apply
You can apply online through ASSIST. Delaware also lists Catholic Charities as a DEAP partner. Current LIHEAP contact numbers are 302-654-9295 for New Castle County, 302-674-1782 for Kent County, and 302-856-6310 for Sussex County. First State Community Action Agency is listed at 1-800-372-2240. For DEAP information, the Division of Social Services lists 302-255-9875.
If you need a wider view of emergency help beyond utilities, see GFS’s Delaware emergency assistance guide.
The Delaware Energy Fund Is an Important 2026 Route
The Delaware Energy Fund is separate from DEAP. Current rules require an eligible residential utility customer to have household income below 350% of the federal poverty level and to complete an approved Energize Delaware efficiency program before receiving a bill credit, such as HEC2 or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.
The fund can provide a one-time credit of up to $300 per household. Awards are first-come, first-served and continue while funds remain. The credit goes to the utility account when applicable. Energize Delaware lists 888-735-1510 for relief-fund questions.
Delmarva customers: check the current fund
The Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund opened earlier in 2026, but the current Energize Delaware homepage says that fund has expended all its money. Energize Delaware’s fund rules say that after the Delmarva-only fund is exhausted, Delmarva Power customers may qualify for the broader Delaware Energy Fund if they meet its qualifications. Call 888-735-1510 before assuming an older Delmarva relief application is still active.
| Route | Main use | Key 2026 point |
|---|---|---|
| DEAP / LIHEAP | Heating, cooling, and energy crisis help | Income cap is 60% of Delaware SMI; crisis help is year-round |
| Delaware Energy Fund | Extra utility-bill relief | Below 350% FPL; up to $300; efficiency participation required; funds limited |
| Delmarva-only relief fund | Past-due Delmarva balances | Current Energize Delaware notice says funds are exhausted |
| Weatherization | Lower future energy use | Free for eligible households; waiting list and annual funding matter |
Ask Your Utility About Its Own Help
Call the company on the bill before service is disconnected. A payment plan is not a grant, but it can buy time. Ask the exact amount needed to stop termination, whether an installment plan is available, and whether a pending assistance application changes the shutoff process.
Chesapeake Utilities natural gas
Chesapeake’s SHARE Fund says customers who are elderly, disabled, or living on a fixed income may receive a grant toward a heating bill each calendar year. The fund is donation-supported, so assistance depends on available money. Applications go through the local Energy Assistance Office. Chesapeake also tells customers having trouble paying to call for possible payment-plan and assistance options.
Delaware Electric Cooperative
The cooperative’s DEC payment help page directs members to local agencies and asks members to call 855-332-9090 immediately when they cannot pay. The page warns that disconnection can lead to deposits and restoration fees, which is another reason to call before the shutoff date.
For broad national guidance on programs that may appear on an electric or gas bill, see GFS’s utility-bill help guide.
Water Bills Need a Different Plan
Do not assume an old Delaware water-assistance form is still funded. As of October 3, 2026, GFS could not verify a current state source confirming an open statewide Low Income Household Water Assistance Program application. The DPA water guidance instead lists the water provider, Delaware 211, Catholic Charities, and State Service Centers as help routes.
A State Service Center can be especially useful when a water bill is part of a larger emergency. Current center pages describe Emergency Cash Assistance as possible help for rent, utilities, emergency shelter, and other critical needs after an unexpected emergency. Use the State Service Center finder because not every DHSS office offers the same emergency services.
Ask your water company about payment plans, a second-party notification option, and any local hardship fund. If you need more background on water-bill programs and questions to ask, GFS has a national water-bill assistance guide.
Delaware Shutoff Protections Can Buy Time
Delaware does not have a blanket winter shutoff ban. Under current Delaware utility law, gas, water, wastewater, and electric service generally requires at least 72 hours’ notice before nonpayment termination. Gas and electric customers get stronger seasonal notice rules.
| Protection | Current rule | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal notice | Gas/electric: at least 14 calendar days during heating or cooling season | Call before the shutoff date and ask about an installment agreement |
| Cold day | No gas/electric nonpayment shutoff when the county’s 8 a.m. temperature is 35°F or below | Confirm the utility has applied the weather protection |
| Extreme heat | No electric nonpayment shutoff when the 8 a.m. forecast says county heat index may reach 95°F or more | Ask for deferral and make payment arrangements |
| Holiday period | No shutoff from December 21 through January 1 unless there is a safety emergency | Use the delay to arrange payment or assistance |
| Medical need | A qualifying signed medical statement can prevent termination for 120 days | Ask the utility for its medical-certification process immediately |
The medical rule applies when termination would harm an occupant’s health or recovery. A licensed physician, physician associate, or advanced nurse practitioner can provide the signed statement. Renewal requires a new statement and a good-faith effort to pay toward service.
Gas and electric utilities must also offer voluntary third-party shutoff notification. This can be useful for an older adult who wants an adult child, caregiver, case manager, or trusted person to receive termination notices too. That person does not become responsible for the bill merely by accepting notice.
If a regulated utility does not follow its rules, start with the utility. Then use PSC customer assistance. The PSC’s formal complaint guidance says customers should first try the utility and then the Division of the Public Advocate before filing a formal PSC complaint. Municipal electric customers have parallel municipal electric protections, but their complaint route may differ from PSC-regulated utilities.
Weatherization Can Reduce Future Bills
Bill assistance solves an immediate shortage. Weatherization tries to reduce the home’s energy waste. Delaware’s Weatherization Assistance Program is free for eligible homeowners and renters statewide. A trained professional evaluates the home and may recommend work such as air sealing, weather-stripping, broken-glass replacement, insulation, ventilation, and other approved efficiency measures.
Current published annual income limits are $31,920 for one person, $43,280 for two, $54,640 for three, and $66,000 for four. The limit rises with household size. Call the Energy Coordinating Agency at 302-504-6111 to set up an appointment; DNREC lists 302-735-3480 for program questions.
This program has a waiting list. Delaware says priority depends on need, the age and special needs of residents, and annual funding. Not every eligible applicant is served in one year. If service is not provided within 12 months, the household must reapply to verify income. Weatherization is also not a general home-repair fund. For structural or safety repairs that fall outside energy work, see GFS’s Delaware home-repair guide and the national energy-efficiency guide.
Phone and Internet: Check Lifeline
The federal Lifeline program can reduce a qualifying household’s monthly phone, internet, or bundled-service cost by up to $9.25. Only one discount is allowed per household.
You may qualify through Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, or by income. For 2026, income eligibility is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines: $21,546 a year for one person and $44,550 for four people in Delaware.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
Gather the core documents before you call or start an online application. Exact requirements depend on the program, but having the following ready can prevent a second trip or missed deadline.
- Photo identification and proof of Delaware residence.
- Utility bill showing the account number and service address.
- Shutoff or disconnection notice, if one was issued.
- Proof of household income for every person counted by the program.
- Recent benefit letters for Social Security, SSI, pension, SNAP, Medicaid, or other income/benefits when relevant.
- Lease or proof of homeownership if the program asks for housing status.
- Fuel-delivery record or tank level if you use oil, propane, kerosene, coal, or wood.
- Medical certification information if loss of utility service would threaten an occupant’s health.
If online forms are difficult, a State Service Center, Catholic Charities, ADRC, or 211 may help you find an in-person route. For other Delaware benefit programs that may free up money for utilities, GFS’s Delaware senior assistance guide covers food, healthcare, housing, tax, and other support.
Reality Checks
- DEAP may not erase the whole bill. Delaware describes it as supplemental help.
- Relief-fund money can run out. The Delmarva-specific fund already did in 2026. Check the current status before relying on it.
- Weatherization can take time. Eligible households may wait, and annual funding affects who is served.
- Water help is less centralized. Your provider, locality, State Service Center, or nonprofit may matter more than a single statewide program.
- A shutoff protection is not debt forgiveness. A weather or medical delay gives you time, but the balance normally remains due.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the day of shutoff to call the utility or assistance office.
- Assuming LIHEAP is only for seniors. It is mainly income-based, so age alone does not establish eligibility.
- Assuming every utility uses the same relief fund or complaint system.
- Using an old Delmarva relief-fund notice after the current fund status changed.
- Paying a private company to “unlock” LIHEAP, DEAP, or a government utility benefit.
- Ignoring mail, email, or portal notices asking for missing proof.
- Assuming a medical shutoff delay cancels the balance owed.
Denied, Delayed, or Still Short?
First, ask for the reason in writing. If DEAP or another DSS benefit is denied, reduced, delayed, suspended, or terminated, Delaware provides a fair-hearing process. The DSS contact page lists Customer Relations at 1-866-843-7212 and gives the email DHSS_DSS_FHRequest@delaware.gov for fair-hearing requests. Follow the deadline stated in your notice rather than guessing how much time you have.
Second, use a backup route while the dispute is pending. Ask the utility for a payment arrangement, contact Delaware 211, ask a State Service Center about Emergency Cash Assistance, and check local charities. GFS’s Delaware charities guide can help you identify community options when a government benefit does not cover the full bill.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
DEAP crisis assistance
“I live in Delaware and I have a past-due energy bill or shutoff notice. I want to apply for DEAP crisis assistance. What documents do you need from me, and what is the fastest way to submit them?”
Your utility company
“I cannot pay the full balance before the shutoff date. What payment arrangement can stop disconnection? Please tell me the minimum amount due, the deadline, and whether you can note that I am applying for assistance.”
Energize Delaware
“I am a residential utility customer and need bill help. Which relief fund is open for my utility today? Do I meet the income screen, and which energy-efficiency appointment must I complete before a credit can be issued?”
Water or local help
“I need help with a water bill in ZIP code _____. Which programs are funded and accepting requests now? If there is no direct water grant, can you connect me to emergency utility help or a local charity?”
Resumen en Español
Si necesita ayuda con calefacción, electricidad o una crisis de energía en Delaware, empiece con DEAP/LIHEAP. La ayuda de calefacción de invierno está disponible del 1 de octubre al 31 de marzo, y la ayuda de crisis puede estar disponible durante todo el año para hogares que cumplen los requisitos. Puede solicitar LIHEAP por el portal ASSIST.
Si tiene un aviso de corte, llame también a su compañía de servicios públicos de inmediato y pregunte por un plan de pago. Delaware tiene protecciones especiales contra cortes en ciertos días de frío o calor extremo. Una certificación médica válida también puede impedir temporalmente el corte cuando perder el servicio afectaría la salud o recuperación de una persona en el hogar.
El Delaware Energy Fund está disponible para clientes residenciales que cumplen los requisitos de ingresos. Puede dar un crédito único de hasta $300 mientras haya fondos y exige participación en un programa de eficiencia energética de Energize Delaware. El fondo separado para clientes de Delmarva Power agotó sus fondos; los clientes de Delmarva que cumplan los requisitos pueden preguntar si ahora califican para el Delaware Energy Fund.
Para ayuda general, llame al Delaware ADRC al 1-800-223-9074 o marque 211. Tenga a mano su factura, aviso de corte, comprobantes de ingresos, identificación y cualquier carta de beneficios. Si DSS niega o reduce un beneficio, lea el aviso y siga la fecha límite indicada para pedir una audiencia imparcial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DEAP the same as LIHEAP in Delaware?
DEAP is Delaware’s state energy-assistance program funded through the federal LIHEAP program. It includes winter heating help, year-round crisis assistance, and summer cooling assistance under Delaware’s current rules.
Is there a special utility grant only for Delaware seniors?
There is no single statewide utility grant that every senior receives because of age. Most major programs use income, crisis, utility, or household rules. Some programs, such as weatherization, give priority based partly on age and special needs.
Is the Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund still open?
No. As of October 3, 2026, Energize Delaware says the Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund has expended all its funds. Qualifying Delmarva Power customers may now be eligible for the broader Delaware Energy Fund, subject to its rules and remaining funding.
Can a Delaware utility shut off service in winter?
Delaware does not have a blanket winter ban. State law has specific notice, temperature, holiday, medical, and seasonal protections. Gas and electric shutoffs for nonpayment are barred on certain cold days, and utilities cannot shut off service from December 21 through January 1 unless there is a safety emergency.
Can a medical condition stop a utility shutoff?
Yes, when losing gas, water, or electricity would adversely affect an occupant’s health or recovery and the utility receives a qualifying signed medical statement. The certification is effective for 120 days, and renewal requires a new statement plus a good-faith effort to make payments.
Where should I start for a water bill?
Call the water provider first and ask about payment arrangements and hardship resources. Current Delaware guidance also points residents to Delaware 211, Catholic Charities, and State Service Centers for possible financial help with utilities.
Can Lifeline lower a phone or internet bill?
Yes. The federal Lifeline program can provide qualifying households up to $9.25 per month toward phone, internet, or bundled service. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
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.
Corrections
Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will 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, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: October 21, 2026 · Next review: January 19, 2027
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