Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters
22 programs listed · 21 verified against the program's own website
Delaware delivers most of this help through a few central doors. The single most useful first call is the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-223-9074, run by the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), which handles in-home supports, long-term care, and referrals. For home repair, the statewide intake is Milford Housing Development Corporation at 1-844-413-0038. For energy and utility help, Catholic Charities is the statewide LIHEAP intake agency, and Energize Delaware (1-888-735-1510) runs efficiency and Delmarva relief programs. Property tax relief is filed with your county assessment office. One recurring theme worth flagging up front: several of Delaware’s biggest benefits (the Senior School Property Tax Credit, the Disabled Veterans credit) have NO income test, so homesharing does not jeopardize them, while the income-tested programs (repair, weatherization, energy, county exemptions, SRAP) do count household income.
Everything below, in one file you can print or take to an appointment.
Home modification and aging in place
Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP Plus) Medicaid long-term care - home modifications and PERS
state
Who it is for
Homeowners (or renter with landlord permission)
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA), with the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD)
What you get
Long-term services and supports authorized in the care plan, including minor home modifications (ramps, grab bars, handrails), personal emergency response systems, specialized medical equipment, personal care, and consumer-directed attendant care
Who qualifies
65+, or any age with a qualifying physical disability (nursing-facility level of care)
Income limit
Medicaid long-term care limits (2026: about $2,485/month income, 250% of the Federal Benefit Rate; $2,000 assets for a single person, $3,000 for a couple both applying)
How to apply
Apply through ASSIST at assist.dhss.delaware.gov, or call the DMMA Central Intake Unit at 1-866-940-8963; the ADRC (1-800-223-9074) can help start the assessment
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
University of Delaware, Center for Disabilities Studies (funded by the Administration for Community Living)
What you get
Free assistive technology device demonstrations, short-term device loans (over 1,900 items) to try before buying, the AT Exchange reuse marketplace, and funding navigation
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none (free to all Delaware residents)
How to apply
Call 1-800-870-3284 (800-870-DATI) or 302-831-0354; resource centers in Newark and Milford
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), delivered by Milford Housing Development Corporation (MHDC)
What you get
Repairs of immediate health and safety threats: plumbing, electrical, heating repair or replacement, roofing, and accessibility items (safety bars, ramps); air conditioning with a medical-necessity letter
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
How to apply
Call MHDC at 1-844-413-0038 or 302-491-4010 for prequalification and intake
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
loan and grant
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development (Delaware/Maryland State Office)
What you get
Loan up to $40,000 at 1% fixed for 20 years; grant up to $10,000 (age 62+); combined up to $50,000
Who qualifies
any for the loan; 62+ for the grant
Income limit
Very-low income (county-specific limits via the USDA eligibility site, 2026)
How to apply
Contact the Delaware Rural Development Single Family Housing Direct office at 302-857-3595 or SFHDirect-DE@usda.gov; confirm the property is in an eligible rural area
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
CDBG-funded housing rehabilitation (state and local)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
grant, loan
Who runs it
Delaware State Housing Authority (state CDBG for non-entitlement Kent and Sussex areas); City of Wilmington and New Castle County run their own entitlement CDBG programs
What you get
Owner-occupied rehabilitation and accessibility repairs; amounts and terms set by the local administering jurisdiction
Who qualifies
any (some local programs prioritize older adults)
Income limit
Low- and moderate-income, generally at or below 80% of Area Median Income
How to apply
In Kent/Sussex non-entitlement areas contact DSHA (1-888-363-8808); in Wilmington contact the City's Real Estate and Housing office; in New Castle County contact the County community development office
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Owners or renters (renters eligible with landlord permission)
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy; delivered by contracted local agencies (Energy Coordinating Agency)
What you get
Free energy audit plus weatherstripping, insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, hot-water pipe insulation, and efficient lighting (typically 30 to 50% bill reductions)
Who qualifies
any (priority given to age and special needs of residents)
Income limit
At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (2025: about $30,120 for 1 person, $40,880 for 2, $62,400 for 4; add $10,280 per additional person)
How to apply
Call the Energy Coordinating Agency at 302-504-6111 (coletted@ecasys.org); general DNREC questions 302-735-3480 or DNREC.WAP@delaware.gov
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Energize Delaware income-qualified energy services (Home Energy Check-up)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (Energize Delaware)
What you get
Home Energy Check-up and Counseling (HEC2) with free direct-install measures and energy counseling; a path into further efficiency and bill-relief programs
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Income-qualified (limited income aligned with LIHEAP/60% state median income; moderate income up to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level for some offerings, 2025)
How to apply
Schedule an HEC2 appointment at energizedelaware.org or call 1-888-735-1510
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP / LIHEAP) - heating and cooling
federal-in-stateOwners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Social Services; delivered statewide by Catholic Charities
What you get
Winter heating assistance and summer cooling assistance paid toward energy bills; amount varies by household size, income, and fuel type
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (about 60% of state median income), program year 2025-2026
How to apply
Apply through Catholic Charities: New Castle 302-654-9295, Kent 302-674-1782, Sussex 302-856-6310; DSS general line 302-255-9040 or ASSIST at assist.dhss.delaware.gov
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Delaware has no permanent legislated percentage-of-income or ongoing bill-discount rate for limited-income customers at Delmarva Power. Help is delivered as annual/one-time grants (LIHEAP/DEAP, the Customer Relief Fund, Good Neighbor Energy Fund) rather than a standing monthly discount.
Property tax relief
Senior School Property Tax Credit
stateHomeowners
Type of help
credit
Who runs it
Delaware Dept. of Finance (Division of Revenue); applications processed by county assessment/finance offices
What you get
Credit of 50% of school property taxes on the primary residence, up to a maximum of $500 per year (2025-2026; HB 73, which would have raised the cap to $1,000, was defeated August 2025)
Who qualifies
65 or older (by June 30 before the county fiscal year)
Income limit
None (no income test as of 2026)
How to apply
File with your county: New Castle 302-323-2600, Kent 302-744-2341, Sussex 302-855-7871; statewide deadline April 30
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Delaware Dept. of Finance (Division of Revenue); applications processed by county assessment offices
What you get
Credit of 100% of the non-vocational school district property tax on the primary residence (no $500 cap)
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
None
How to apply
File with your county assessment office (Disabled Veterans School-Property Tax Credit application); New Castle County Office of Assessment 302-395-5520
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
County property tax exemptions for older adults and people with disabilities
county-cityHomeowners
Type of help
exemption
Who runs it
County assessment offices (New Castle, Kent, Sussex)
What you get
Partial exemption of assessed value on the primary residence for qualifying owners 65 and older and owners with disabilities; amount and income cap set by each county
Who qualifies
65+ (age-based exemption) or any age if disabled
Income limit
Income-based, limit set by each county (New Castle County over-65 and disability exemptions are means-tested)
How to apply
Contact your county assessment office; New Castle County Office of Assessment 302-395-5520 (filing deadline commonly June 1)
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Delaware has no statewide property tax deferral (lien/repay-with-interest) program, no income-based circuit-breaker credit, and no assessment freeze for older adults. Relief comes through the Senior and Disabled Veterans School Property Tax Credits (state) and county exemptions for older adults and people with disabilities.
Insurance-related help
Delaware FAIR Plan (last-resort property insurance)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Delaware FAIR Plan (association of property insurers; overseen by the Delaware Dept. of Insurance)
What you get
Basic property insurance (fire, wind, and other essential coverages) for owners unable to obtain coverage in the standard market
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none
How to apply
Apply through a licensed Delaware insurance agent or the FAIR Plan online portal; office 215-629-8800; consumer questions to the Delaware Dept. of Insurance 1-800-282-8611
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling: Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance, low-income subsidies, Medicaid/Medicare Savings Programs, and billing help
Who qualifies
Medicare-eligible (65+ or disabled under 65)
Income limit
none
How to apply
Call 1-800-336-9500 or 302-674-7364 for one-on-one help by phone or in person
Delaware has no state-run homeowners insurance premium assistance or discount program. Discounts come from private insurers (age 55+/retiree, security systems, bundling). The Dept. of Insurance Consumer Services Division (1-800-282-8611) can help with rate comparisons and complaints.
HomeShare-relevant extras
Delaware Senior Home Shares (homeshare matching)
nonprofitOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Delaware Senior Home Shares (nonprofit)
What you get
Matching of older home providers who have a spare room with older home seekers needing affordable housing, with background checks, reference verification, and interviews
Who qualifies
home providers 55+; home seekers are older adults seeking affordable housing
Income limit
none
How to apply
Call 302-434-2856 or email support@deseniorhomeshares.org (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
Delaware has no statewide accessory dwelling unit (ADU) mandate; ADU rules are set by each county and municipality, so check local zoning. Delaware also has no statewide renter property tax credit or rebate. Renters can still access LIHEAP/DEAP, WAP (with landlord permission), and SRAP.
Programs that work the same in every state
Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the Delaware contacts.
One more option
Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.
Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.