LIHEAP Delaware: Heating, Crisis and Cooling Help Through DEAP

In Delaware, LIHEAP assistance is delivered through the Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP). Unlike programs that focus only on winter heating, DEAP can help with seasonal heating costs, urgent energy crises, and certain summer cooling expenses. Delaware Health and Social Services works with community partners, including Catholic Charities, to connect eligible households with assistance.

Delaware residents can find current information on energy assistance, income rules, the 2026–27 heating season, application options, emergency support, and other help with energy bills.

97 Options is an independent energy comparison and educational service. It is not a government agency and does not administer LIHEAP or DEAP.

Delaware Uses LIHEAP in Three Different Ways

A useful way to understand LIHEAP Delaware is to look at the three main forms of assistance available through DEAP.

The state currently provides Winter Heating Assistance, Crisis Assistance, and Summer Cooling Assistance. These programs address different situations rather than providing one identical payment to every household.

Winter Heating Assistance

Winter Heating Assistance helps eligible homeowners and renters manage seasonal heating expenses. Delaware currently lists the heating-assistance period as October 1 through March 31.

Qualifying heating sources can include:

• Electricity

• Natural gas

• Heating oil

• Kerosene

• Propane

• Coal

• Wood

That means DEAP is not limited to households using one specific type of furnace or fuel.

The program is supplemental assistance. Receiving LIHEAP does not necessarily mean every heating charge for the season will be covered. Delaware DHSS specifically notes that DEAP may reduce household energy costs without paying the entire amount.

The Current Income Rule Is 60% of Delaware's State Median Income

Income is one of the most important factors in determining DEAP eligibility.

Current Delaware DHSS guidance caps eligibility at 60% of Delaware's State Median Income (SMI), after federal and local taxes.

This is especially important because older Delaware energy-assistance pages and third-party articles may still show outdated poverty-level standards. For current applications, residents should rely on the eligibility rules being used for the present program year rather than an older table found online.

A household's actual eligibility can depend on more than a single income figure. The number of people living in the home, the income counted by the program, and the household's energy circumstances can all affect the determination.

For this reason, a household that appears close to the limit should not automatically rule itself out before completing the current eligibility process.

The 2026–27 Heating Season Is Already Open for Applications

For Program Year 2027, Catholic Charities began accepting Delaware Energy Assistance Program applications on August 1, 2026. The current heating-assistance period runs from October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.

That early application window matters. Residents do not need to wait until the weather becomes cold or until a fuel bill becomes unmanageable before starting the process.

Current program guidance also encourages people who need an intake appointment to contact their local office early because offices become busier as temperatures fall.

Applicants who want the current heating-season instructions can review the Delaware DEAP heating application information.

First-Time Applicants May Need an Intake Appointment

Current Catholic Charities guidance says first-time LIHEAP applicants, as well as applicants with 10 or more household members, must contact a DEAP location to schedule an intake appointment.

Other applicants may be able to complete the available application process without the same intake requirement.

The important point is to follow the instructions for the current season instead of assuming every household follows exactly the same application route.

Applying for LIHEAP Delaware: Online or Through a Local Office

Delaware provides an online route through ASSIST, the state's benefits application system. ASSIST includes LIHEAP among the programs residents can apply for and also offers eligibility screening for supported benefits.

Residents who prefer to start online can use the Delaware ASSIST benefits portal.

DEAP assistance is also available through Catholic Charities offices serving Delaware's three counties.

These current county contacts are listed by both Delaware DHSS and Catholic Charities.

Delaware DHSS also lists First State Community Action Agency as an assistance contact and provides a statewide DEAP information number at 302-255-9875.

A Complete Application Matters

Submitting an application does not automatically mean it can be processed.

Current Catholic Charities guidance states that an application must be completed, electronically signed when submitted through its online process, and supported by the required documents. Applications missing required information will not be processed until those issues are resolved.

Depending on household circumstances, applicants may need documents related to:

• Photo identification for adults

• Social Security information for household members

• Citizenship or qualifying immigration status

• Delaware residency

• Employment or other household income

• Utility and heating accounts

• Public benefits

• Housing arrangements

• Other household-specific circumstances

The exact documentation can differ from one household to another, so applicants should use the current checklist provided during the application process rather than relying on an older list from a previous LIHEAP season.

It is also important to continue paying energy bills when possible while an application is under review. Current program guidance warns that DEAP is not intended to cover every energy cost and that eligibility does not guarantee a benefit will ultimately be paid if funding is unavailable.

Already Facing a Shutoff or Almost Out of Fuel?

Delaware's Crisis Assistance is different from ordinary winter heating help because it is designed for urgent situations.

Unlike Winter Heating Assistance, Crisis Assistance is listed as available year-round. Current Delaware DHSS guidance identifies situations such as:

• Receiving a utility shutoff or disconnection notice

• Having a fuel tank at or below 10%

• Owing past-due energy bills

as circumstances that may qualify a household for crisis help.

Crisis Assistance may also be used alongside Winter Heating Assistance when the household meets the applicable requirements.

Someone facing imminent disconnection should not simply submit an application and assume the shutoff will automatically stop. The household should also contact the utility or fuel supplier directly, explain the situation, and ask what payment arrangements or service protections may be available.

Delaware LIHEAP Can Help During Hot Weather Too

One of the most distinctive parts of Delaware's LIHEAP program is that assistance is not limited to winter.

The Summer Cooling Assistance component can provide a one-time payment toward summer electricity costs. Delaware also says households with a demonstrated need may qualify for a window air conditioner.

There is an important condition: households must have previously applied for LIHEAP during the program year to be considered for Summer Cooling Assistance.

This makes it useful to think about DEAP as a broader household-energy program rather than simply a winter fuel grant.

A resident who receives heating assistance in winter may therefore want to ask whether summer cooling support could also apply later in the program year.

Renters Can Also Seek Delaware Energy Assistance

DEAP Winter Heating Assistance is available to qualifying homeowners and renters.

However, renter eligibility can depend on how energy costs are handled. A renter who pays a utility or fuel supplier directly may have a different situation from someone whose heating expense is included within rent.

Applicants should clearly explain their housing arrangement and who is responsible for purchasing residential energy when completing the application.

This is particularly important for subsidized housing, shared households, or rental arrangements where utility costs are not billed directly to the person applying.

LIHEAP Is Not the Only Option for Utility Bill Help

Some Delaware households need assistance that goes beyond the DEAP benefit.

A person struggling with an electric, natural-gas, water, or other utility bill can use Delaware 211 utility assistance resources to find additional programs. Delaware 211 connects residents with utility-payment assistance and local community services, and residents can also dial 211 for help.

Individual utility providers may also offer:

• Payment arrangements

• Budget billing

• Extended payment periods

• Hardship programs

• Customer relief funds

• Other account-specific assistance

The Delaware Division of the Public Advocate advises customers who are having trouble paying a bill to contact their utility provider as early as possible rather than waiting until service is about to be terminated. Its Delaware utility bill assistance guide also identifies LIHEAP, Catholic Charities, weatherization, and other financial resources.

This is useful because a household can need immediate bill relief even if DEAP does not cover the full amount owed.

Weatherization Can Reduce Future Energy Costs

Paying a current heating bill solves an immediate problem, but a poorly insulated home can continue creating high energy expenses every season.

Delaware's Weatherization Assistance Program can help qualifying households improve energy efficiency. Current DHSS guidance lists possible improvements such as:

• Insulation

• Weather-stripping

• HVAC upgrades

• Window and door improvements

These services are intended to reduce energy loss and make homes more affordable to heat and cool over time.

Weatherization is separate from the direct LIHEAP benefit, so residents interested in longer-term energy savings can ask whether they qualify in addition to DEAP assistance.

Compare Energy Plans by ZIP Code With 97 Options

Public energy assistance and energy-plan comparison are separate services.

Households looking for LIHEAP or DEAP benefits should use Delaware's official assistance channels. Residents who also want to review available electricity or energy-plan options can use 97 Options where competitive energy choice applies.

Enter your ZIP code below to view available energy plans.

The 97 Options ZIP tool does not search for LIHEAP benefits, determine DEAP eligibility, or process Delaware Energy Assistance Program applications.

Understand Your Current Energy Bill With Maya

An energy bill can be difficult to evaluate when supply charges, usage, delivery costs, and other fees all appear together.

Maya by 97 Options can help users review information already shown on an energy bill, including:

• Energy usage

• Current rate

• Supplier or provider information

• Supply charges

• Other bill charges

• Overall energy costs

Understanding these details can give a household a clearer picture of its current costs before considering other energy options.

Maya is a bill-analysis tool. It does not determine LIHEAP eligibility, approve DEAP assistance, or process public-benefit applications.

Delaware Energy Assistance Resources

These organizations and programs are separate from 97 Options. Eligibility decisions and government assistance applications must be handled through the appropriate administering organization.

Important Disclaimer

97 Options is an independent energy comparison service and is not a government agency or affiliated with LIHEAP or DEAP. We do not determine eligibility or process assistance applications. Program rules, funding, and benefits may change, so applicants should confirm current details through official Delaware resources.