Last updated: May 20, 2026
Urgent help first
If you or your children are in danger right now, call 911. Use the safest phone or device you can. If your phone, car, email, or browser may be watched, ask a trusted person, library, clinic, school, or advocate for help using a safer device.
For Delaware domestic violence help 24 hours a day, call the hotline for your area: New Castle County at 302-762-6110, Kent and Sussex Counties at 302-422-8058, Abriendo Puertas Spanish hotline at 302-745-9874, or TTY at 1-800-232-5460. These numbers are listed by the DVCC hotline list.
You can also contact the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use chat when it is safe.
Bottom line
Delaware has 24/7 domestic violence hotlines, confidential shelters, court advocates, Protection From Abuse orders, victim compensation, legal aid, and benefit programs that may help a single mother get safer and stabilize her children. You do not need to figure out every office first. Start with a domestic violence advocate, then use court, housing, legal, and benefit help as needed.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice, safety advice, medical advice, or a promise that a program can help in every case. Domestic violence situations can change fast. A trained local advocate can help you think through safe next steps for your own situation.
Where to start in Delaware
If you can only do one thing, call a domestic violence hotline. Hotlines are not only for shelter. They can talk through safety, explain shelter openings, connect you to a court advocate, and point you to local help for food, housing, child care, and legal issues.
If you need a safe place
Call the county domestic violence hotline first. Ask about shelter, transportation, children, pets, medicines, documents, and what to do if beds are full.
If you need court protection
Ask about a Delaware Protection From Abuse order. A court advocate may be able to help before, during, and after the PFA process.
If you need money or food
Use Delaware ASSIST for SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, child care, and other programs. A 211 navigator may help you find local emergency support.
If you feel overwhelmed
Pick one safe call. You can say, “I am a single mother in Delaware. I need help planning safe next steps for me and my children.”
For a broader Delaware benefits path, use ASMOM’s Delaware help guide. For crisis costs, see emergency help. For the full topic family, use ASMOM’s domestic violence help page.
Quick reference table
Use this table to choose the first call. Do not wait to have paperwork ready before asking for help.
| Need | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Police response and urgent safety help for you and your children. |
| Domestic violence hotline | DCADV hotlines | Shelter, safety planning, advocacy, court support, and referrals. |
| Emergency shelter openings | Centralized Intake | Call or text 1-833-FIND-BED for shelter and housing referrals during listed hours. |
| Food, bills, local aid | Delaware 211 | Ask for food, utility, legal, shelter, transportation, and local nonprofit referrals. |
| Protection order | Family Court PFA | Ask how to file, whether emergency forms are needed, and how to reach an advocate. |
| Crime-related costs | Delaware VCAP | Ask about counseling, medical bills, lost wages, temporary housing, relocation, or lock changes. |
Protection From Abuse orders in Delaware
A Protection From Abuse order, often called a PFA, is a Family Court order that can tell a person to stop abuse and stay away. Depending on the case, a PFA may also deal with contact, weapons, temporary child-related issues, temporary use of the home, or support. The court decides what can be ordered.
Delaware Family Court says a person can file a PFA petition without an attorney. Court staff can provide forms, and the forms can also be printed from the PFA forms page. Family Court lists in-person filing during court hours and filing by email at FC_PFA@delaware.gov.
If you believe you are in immediate danger, you can ask for an emergency, or ex parte, hearing. Delaware Family Court says requests filed after 3:30 p.m. are usually heard the next business morning, so try to file early in the day when it is safe and possible. If an emergency order is granted, it stays in place until the next court proceeding.
Reality check
A PFA is a court order, not a physical shield. It may be very important, but you should also talk with an advocate about shelter, safe communication, children, transportation, pets, work, and school. If someone violates a PFA or you are in danger, call police.
Shelter and housing help
Delaware domestic violence shelters are confidential. The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence says the state has five crisis shelters for survivors. Shelters can provide physical safety and connect people to supportive resources. Services are free and accessed through the domestic violence hotlines, according to DCADV shelter information.
CHILD, Inc. operates shelters in New Castle County. People’s Place operates shelters in Kent and Sussex Counties, including Abriendo Puertas, a shelter for Latina women and their children. Shelter staff may help with safety planning, children’s needs, counseling or support groups, employment, housing, legal referrals, and other services.
If you are homeless or may become homeless, Delaware’s Centralized Intake can refer people to emergency shelter openings and housing assistance. If you are fleeing domestic violence, use the domestic violence hotline first when it is safe. You can also ask Delaware 211 or a State Service Center for help reaching shelter intake.
If you live in public housing, a Housing Choice Voucher unit, or another federally assisted housing program, the Violence Against Women Act may protect you from being denied housing or losing housing because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. HUD explains survivor housing rights and forms on its VAWA housing page. Ask your housing authority, landlord, or legal aid about an emergency transfer, lease split, or other covered housing option.
For more housing paths in the state, use ASMOM’s Delaware housing help guide. If you need rent, shelter, utility, or local agency referrals, ASMOM’s community support guide can help you find the next office to call.
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. Delaware Legal Help Link screens civil legal problems and routes people to a fitting nonprofit legal resource through Legal Help Link.
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. provides free legal assistance to survivors in Kent and Sussex Counties for some family law matters, including PFAs, custody, visitation, divorce, support, property division, and Sexual Violence Protection Orders. CLASI says New Castle County survivors should contact Delaware Volunteer Legal Services for help. Start with CLASI DV services if your case is in Kent or Sussex.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services says it may help with family law for victims of domestic violence, including custody or visitation when there is domestic violence, PFA matters, and limited divorce paperwork help. New Castle County survivors can start with DVLS legal help.
The Delaware Department of Justice lists victim resources, court advocacy contacts, legal service contacts, rape crisis lines, Family Court numbers, and the Delaware State Police Victim Center. Use the DOJ victim list if you need a victim advocate, case notification, or county contact.
For a broader court and civil legal map, see ASMOM’s Delaware legal guide. For child support questions that are separate from immediate safety, see child support help.
Money, food, health coverage, and child care
Leaving abuse can create fast needs: food, diapers, medicine, gas, phone access, child care, rent, utility bills, locks, or moving costs. Delaware uses ASSIST for several benefits, including Medicaid, Food Supplement Program/SNAP, cash assistance, child care services, LIHEAP, WIC, and other programs. Start with Delaware ASSIST when it is safe to apply online.
Delaware TANF is the state’s main cash assistance program for families with children. The Division of Social Services says TANF is meant to give temporary help while a family works toward employment. Many families have work rules and time limits, but domestic violence may affect what is safe or possible. Ask a DSS worker, advocate, or legal aid office how to document barriers safely.
SNAP, called the Food Supplement Program in Delaware, can help buy food through an EBT card. WIC can help pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, and young children. Child care assistance may help with child care costs so you can work, look for work, attend training, or manage other approved activities. Rules can change by household, income, and program.
Victim compensation may also help after a violent crime. Delaware VCAP says it may cover eligible crime-related costs such as medical or dental bills, counseling, lost wages, funeral costs, temporary housing, moving or relocation, lock changes, and other approved costs. It also says the crime generally must be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours, the application filed within one year, and losses documented. If reporting fast was not safe, ask VCAP or legal aid before assuming you cannot apply.
| Need | Possible help | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Food | SNAP, WIC, food pantries, school meals, 211 referrals. | SNAP and WIC have rules. Food pantries vary by location and supply. |
| Cash | TANF or other DSS cash assistance if eligible. | Cash aid is not guaranteed and may have time limits or work rules. |
| Medical care | Medicaid, Delaware Healthy Children Program, clinics, crisis services. | Eligibility depends on income, household, and other rules. |
| Child care | Delaware child care services through ASSIST. | Provider openings and approval timing can vary. |
| Moving costs | VCAP, shelter advocates, local nonprofits, housing programs. | Save documents if safe. Programs may pay only certain costs. |
ASMOM has more Delaware-specific pages for TANF in Delaware, Delaware WIC help, health coverage, child care help, and utility assistance.
Children, school, and health needs
If your child saw, heard, or was affected by abuse, you can ask a domestic violence advocate about children’s counseling, support groups, school safety needs, and help talking with a school in a safe way. You do not need to tell every staff member what happened. Ask who needs to know for safety and attendance support.
If your child has urgent mental health needs, call 988 for crisis support or ask Delaware 211 for youth crisis options. For non-urgent counseling, start with a domestic violence program, a pediatrician, Medicaid plan, school counselor, or a community mental health provider. ASMOM’s Delaware mental health guide can help you find care paths.
If you are pregnant, postpartum, or caring for a baby, ask about WIC, Medicaid, diapers, safe sleep items, transportation, and home visiting. ASMOM’s postpartum support guide covers Delaware maternity and newborn resources.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for the “perfect” plan. A hotline advocate can help you sort out the safest next step, even if you are not ready to leave.
- Assuming shelter is the only help. Domestic violence programs may also help with court advocacy, safety planning, counseling, housing referrals, and children’s needs.
- Posting plans online. If your accounts may be watched, avoid sharing moves, court dates, new addresses, or benefit appointments on social media.
- Missing court dates. If you have a PFA, custody, criminal, or housing date, ask an advocate or legal aid what to do if you cannot attend safely.
- Giving up after one no. Shelter beds, legal aid capacity, and local funds can be limited. Ask for the next number, next county option, or backup plan.
If the first door does not open
If the hotline is busy, try the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Delaware 211, or another county domestic violence line. If shelter is full, ask for safety planning, transportation options, motel or temporary housing resources, and the next check-in time.
If legal aid cannot take your case, ask for self-help forms, court advocate contacts, a clinic, a referral to another office, or help with the most urgent filing. If a benefit office is slow, ask how to mark your application urgent, what documents are missing, and whether you can use a safe mailing address or phone number.
If you lost furniture, documents, clothing, or household items while leaving, ASMOM’s free household items guide may help after you are in a safer place.
Documents and information checklist
Only gather documents if it is safe. Do not risk harm to collect papers. An advocate can help you decide what matters most.
| Helpful item | Why it may help | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| IDs for you and children | Benefits, school, shelter, medical care, and court forms. | Ask a shelter advocate or DSS worker about replacement steps. |
| Birth certificates | School enrollment, benefits, child support, and custody matters. | Do not delay urgent help. Replace later if needed. |
| Benefit cards | SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and other support. | Ask DSS how to report a lost card and protect benefits. |
| Protective orders | School, police, housing, and legal follow-up. | Ask Family Court or your advocate how to get a copy. |
| Proof of costs | VCAP, housing, utility, and nonprofit aid may ask for receipts or bills. | Use what you have. Ask whether a written statement can help. |
Phone scripts you can use
Calling a domestic violence hotline
“I am a single mother in Delaware. I may not be safe at home. I need help with safety planning, shelter options, and what to do for my children. I may need to speak quietly or call back from a safer phone.”
Calling Family Court about a PFA
“I need to ask about filing a Protection From Abuse petition. I may need an emergency hearing. Can you tell me the safest way to file today and whether a domestic violence advocate is available?”
Calling legal aid
“I am a Delaware survivor of domestic violence. I need help with a PFA and possibly custody, visitation, housing, or support. Can you screen me or refer me to the correct legal aid office?”
Calling 211 or shelter intake
“I am leaving an unsafe situation with children. I need emergency shelter or housing help, food, transportation, and benefit referrals. Please tell me the next safe number to call if you cannot place us.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. En Delaware hay líneas de ayuda de violencia doméstica las 24 horas: New Castle 302-762-6110, Kent y Sussex 302-422-8058, Abriendo Puertas 302-745-9874, y TTY 1-800-232-5460.
Un defensor puede ayudarle con un plan de seguridad, refugio, corte, una orden de protección, comida, beneficios, cuidado infantil y apoyo para sus hijos. Si puede, use un teléfono o computadora segura. Esta guía es información general y no es consejo legal ni de seguridad.
FAQs
What should I do first if I am not safe in Delaware?
Call 911 if danger is immediate. If you need planning, shelter, or advocacy, call the Delaware domestic violence hotline for your county or the National Domestic Violence Hotline from a safe device.
Can I get a Protection From Abuse order without a lawyer?
Delaware Family Court says a person can file a PFA petition without an attorney. Court staff can provide forms, and domestic violence advocates may be available to help with the process.
Are Delaware domestic violence shelters free?
DCADV says Delaware domestic violence shelter services are free and accessed through domestic violence hotlines. Beds and locations are confidential, and availability can change.
Can victim compensation help with moving costs?
Delaware VCAP says it may cover eligible crime-related costs such as temporary housing, moving or relocation, and lock changes. You may need a police report, an application, and documentation.
Can I apply for benefits if I leave with my children?
You can use Delaware ASSIST to apply for programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance, child care, LIHEAP, and WIC. Eligibility depends on program rules and your household situation.
What if I live in subsidized housing?
Federal VAWA housing protections may apply if you live in covered federally assisted housing. Ask your housing provider or legal aid about emergency transfers, confidentiality, and your rights.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.