Domestic Violence Resources and Safety for Single Mothers in Delaware

Where to start in Delaware

If you can only do one thing, call a domestic violence hotline. Hotlines are not only for shelter. Advocates can explain shelter, court support, food, housing, child care, transportation, and children’s resources.

If you need papers later, see the safe document checklist below. You do not need to risk your safety to collect every form before asking for help.

Quick reference table

Use this table to choose the first call.

Advocates, hotlines, and shelters

Delaware domestic violence advocates can help with shelter referrals, court support, counseling, children, case management, legal referrals, and local resources. Services and openings can change, so call before going anywhere.

The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence lists five confidential crisis shelters. Two are run by CHILD, Inc. in New Castle County, and three are run by People’s Place in Kent and Sussex Counties. The DCADV shelter page says these services are free. Access is through the domestic violence hotlines, not a public walk-in address. Beds are not guaranteed.

One People’s Place program is Abriendo Puertas, which serves Latina women and children. Ask the hotline about language help, children, pets, medicines, disability needs, transport, and what to do if shelter is full. Do not travel to an unconfirmed shelter location.

Protection From Abuse orders in Delaware

A Protection From Abuse order (PFA) is a Family Court order that may order someone to stop abuse or contact and may give other relief. Delaware says who may file depends on the relationship between the people involved. Some orders may cover the home, children, support, pets, or access to key documents. The Family Court PFA guide explains these rules. A PFA is not the same as a criminal case or a guarantee of safety.

You may file without a lawyer. The usual forms are Form 450 (petition) and Form 240 (information sheet). Family Court takes filings in person 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or by email at FC_PFA@delaware.gov. Use the court’s official PFA forms. If email or shared accounts may be watched, ask an advocate for a safer filing route.

For an emergency order: Ask about Forms 656 and 654 in addition to the petition forms. The court says an emergency request filed after 3:30 p.m. will be heard the next business day, so do not rely on an after-hours filing for immediate protection. A judge decides if an emergency order is issued. Family Court handles service on the other person. Ask about the next case review or hearing and how you will receive notice safely.

Know the limits: An initial emergency order may last up to 15 days, subject to court action. Longer protective parts of final orders may last up to two years or more in some cases, while some custody, support, and property terms have different limits. Ask an advocate or lawyer which rules apply to your order.

The Domestic Violence Advocacy Program can explain the process. Delaware Family Court lists 302-255-0420 as a PFA advocacy contact; county contacts may differ. Ask the clerk or advocate for safe ways to submit sensitive papers and receive court notices.

Shelter and housing safety

If you are fleeing domestic violence, call a 24-hour domestic violence hotline first when it is safe. Housing Alliance Delaware’s Centralized Intake can provide information and referrals to emergency shelter openings and housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness, but its page also tells people fleeing domestic violence to use a 24-hour DV hotline.

For general emergency shelter, Housing Alliance Delaware’s Centralized Intake accepts calls or texts at 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-346-3233), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. It is an intake and referral service, not a guarantee of a bed. Ask about urgent motel aid through a Delaware State Service Center if safe and needed; funding and eligibility vary. Delaware 211 can also refer you to local aid.

If you live in covered federally assisted housing, the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) may protect you from being denied housing or evicted because of abuse. You may have rights to privacy, a lease split, or an emergency transfer. Coverage and paperwork rules matter. See HUD’s VAWA housing guide. A private home without covered federal assistance may follow different rules.

Ask your housing authority, landlord, advocate, or legal aid about emergency transfers, lease-split options, confidentiality, and what proof is needed. For broader rent, shelter, and voucher paths, use ASMOM’s Delaware housing help guide. If you need local agency referrals, ASMOM’s community support guide may help after you have a safe contact plan.

Legal and court help

Legal help can matter when abuse overlaps with custody, visitation, divorce, housing, immigration, benefits, or criminal cases. You do not have to know which legal aid office is correct before you ask. Legal Help Link screens civil legal problems in Delaware and routes people to nonprofit legal resources.

The Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) provides free legal help for eligible survivors in Kent and Sussex Counties in certain family matters: PFA orders, custody, visitation, divorce, support, property issues, and Sexual Violence Protection Orders. It refers New Castle domestic violence matters to DVLS. Call the local CLASI office for screening; help depends on the case and staff capacity.

Delaware Volunteer Legal Services (DVLS) may help eligible New Castle County survivors with PFAs and domestic-violence-related custody or visitation. Its divorce services are very limited; it says it cannot help with property division or alimony. Use its intake process to ask about your case.

The Delaware Department of Justice lists victim resources, court advocacy contacts, rape crisis lines, Family Court numbers, legal services, and victim/witness contacts. Use the DOJ victim list if you need a county contact. ASMOM’s Delaware legal guide can help you compare civil legal starting points.

Money, food, health coverage, and child care

If you leave abuse, you may need food, diapers, medical care, child care, heat, cash, phone access, or safe housing. Delaware’s ASSIST portal lets you check or apply for several state benefits, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, WIC screening, child care, and LIHEAP. Applying is not the same as being approved. If you cannot use a shared device safely, ask a DSS worker or advocate about other ways to apply.

Delaware TANF cash assistance is for eligible families with children. DSS lists work-related rules, income limits, and payment amounts for October 1, 2026–September 30, 2027. These vary by family size and case status. If abuse makes a requirement unsafe, tell your worker privately and ask what relief or safe process may apply. Do not assume every requirement will be waived.

SNAP is called Delaware’s Food Supplement Program. It may help eligible households buy food with an EBT card. WIC is a separate nutrition program for eligible pregnant or postpartum people, babies, and children under 5. For energy bills, Delaware’s LIHEAP is also called the Delaware Energy Assistance Program. Its heating, cooling, and crisis help have different rules; see the state utility assistance page.

The Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) may pay eligible violent-crime costs, such as counseling, medical bills, lost wages, temporary housing, moving, or lock changes. It is not emergency cash and does not pay losses covered by insurance or ordinary stolen property. The state generally requires a crime report within 72 hours and an application within one year of the injury. There are important legal exceptions: a PFA, a report to a court or protective agency, cooperation in a domestic-violence case, or a hardship-based decision may affect the 72-hour rule. The agency may extend the one-year limit in some cases. Do not rule yourself out because you missed a deadline. Ask VCAP at 302-255-1770 and refer to 11 Del. C. § 9010 or a legal advocate about exceptions.

ASMOM has more Delaware-specific pages for Delaware TANF, Delaware WIC, health coverage, child care help, and utility assistance when you are ready to compare programs.

Children, school, and health needs

If your child saw or heard abuse, ask a domestic violence advocate about counseling, school support, and a safe pickup plan. Share only what the school needs, and ask how records, addresses, and pickup lists will be kept private. An advocate or attorney can help if custody orders make school contact hard.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect child abuse or neglect in Delaware, the state lists the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line at 1-800-292-9582. The child abuse line page explains reporting and what to expect.

For an urgent child or teen mental health crisis in Delaware, the state lists 1-800-969-4357 for its 24-hour Child Mental Health Crisis Services. The 988 line is also available for suicide or mental health crises. For ongoing care, ask your child’s doctor, school counselor, Medicaid plan, or domestic violence program. Families who lost housing may ask the school’s homeless liaison about school enrollment and travel under McKinney–Vento protections. Lack of school papers should not stop you from asking for help.

Documents and information checklist

Only gather papers if it is safe. You can call a hotline without these documents. Do not go back for IDs, records, or belongings if doing so puts you in danger. Ask an advocate, court, or DSS worker about other ways to show what you need. If an account is shared or watched, ask about a safe mailing address and private contact methods.