Last updated: June 18, 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, browser, or shared account 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 hotlines and are confidential.
You can also contact the National hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use chat when it is safe. For a mental health, suicide, or substance-use crisis, call or text 988.
Bottom line
Delaware has domestic violence hotlines, confidential shelters, court advocates, Protection From Abuse orders, victim compensation, legal aid, and benefit programs that may help a single mother and her children get support. You do not need to figure out every office first. Start with a trained domestic violence advocate, then ask about 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 any program will approve you. A trained local advocate or attorney can help with safer next steps.
For broader next steps, use ASMOM’s DV help hub, the Delaware help guide, and the legal help hub.
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 a safe place
Call the county domestic violence hotline first. Ask about shelter, transportation, children, pets, medicines, safe contact, and what to do if beds are full.
If you need court protection
Ask about a Delaware Protection From Abuse order, often called a PFA. 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, LIHEAP, and other programs. A 211 navigator may help you find local emergency support.
If you feel stuck
Pick one safe call. You can say, “I am a single mother in Delaware. I need help planning safer next steps for me and my children.”
For papers you may need later, ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you organize what is safe to gather.
Quick reference table
Use this table to choose the first call.
| Need | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Emergency response for you and your children. |
| Domestic violence hotline | DCADV hotlines | Shelter, safety planning, advocacy, court support, and referrals. |
| Emergency shelter intake | Centralized Intake | Call or text 1-833-FIND-BED for shelter and housing referrals during listed hours. |
| Food, bills, local aid | Delaware 211 | Food, utility, legal, shelter, transportation, diaper, and local nonprofit referrals. |
| Protection order | PFA page | How to file, how to request emergency relief, and how to reach an advocate. |
| Crime-related costs | VCAP page | Ask about eligible counseling, medical, housing, moving, or lock-change costs. |
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.
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence says the state has five crisis shelters for victims and survivors. The DCADV shelters page says shelters are confidential, have trained staff on site, and are accessed through the domestic violence hotlines. Services are free.
CHILD, Inc. operates shelters in New Castle County. People’s Place operates shelters across Kent and Sussex Counties, including Abriendo Puertas for Latina women and their children. Ask about language access, children, pets, medicine, transportation, and safe contact.
Safety-aware contact tip
Before leaving a message, ask whether it is safe for them to call back, text, or email. You can say, “Please do not leave a voicemail unless I say it is safe.”
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 abusing another person. Delaware Family Court says a PFA can also include other relief, such as ordering the person to stay away from the person being abused. The court decides what can be ordered.
Delaware Family Court says a person can file a PFA petition without an attorney. Court staff can supply forms, and advocates may be available to help. Use official PFA forms for required and emergency forms.
Family Court lists help for PFA filings through the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program at 302-255-0420. Ask the court or an advocate how filing works in your county before sending sensitive documents from an unsafe account.
Reality check
A PFA is a court order, not a physical shield. It may be 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 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.
Centralized Intake can be reached by call or text at 1-833-FIND-BED or 1-833-346-3233 during listed hours. Delaware 211 can also help connect people to Centralized Intake, State Service Centers, food, utilities, transportation, and other local help.
If you live in public housing, a Housing Choice Voucher unit, project-based Section 8, or another federally assisted housing program, VAWA may protect survivors from housing denial, eviction, or punishment because of abuse. HUD explains covered rights on its HUD VAWA page.
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.
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. says it 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. Start with CLASI services if your matter fits Kent or Sussex.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services says it may help victims of domestic violence with family law matters such as custody or visitation when there is domestic violence, PFA matters, and limited divorce help. Start with DVLS help if your case may fit its services.
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
Leaving abuse can create urgent needs: food, diapers, medicine, gas, phone access, child care, rent, utility bills, locks, or moving costs. Delaware uses the ASSIST portal for Medicaid, SNAP, cash assistance, child care, LIHEAP, WIC, and other help.
Delaware TANF is the state’s main cash assistance program for families with children. DSS says TANF gives temporary help while a family works toward employment. Domestic violence can affect what is safe, so ask how to document barriers safely. The official DSS TANF page is a starting point.
SNAP is called the Food Supplement Program in Delaware. It can help eligible households buy food through an EBT card. The Food Supplement Program page explains the program and application path through DSS. For energy bills, Delaware’s LIHEAP program is also called the Delaware Energy Assistance Program, and the state LIHEAP page explains heating, cooling, crisis, weatherization, and energy-related help.
Victim compensation may also help after a violent crime, but it is not immediate cash. Delaware VCAP may cover eligible costs such as medical care, counseling, lost wages, temporary housing, moving or relocation, and lock changes. VCAP says reporting, application, cooperation, documentation, and award-limit rules apply.
| Need | Possible help | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Food | SNAP, WIC, food pantries, school meals, 211 referrals. | SNAP and WIC have rules. Food pantries vary by supply. |
| Cash | TANF or other DSS cash assistance if eligible. | Cash aid is not guaranteed and may have work or time rules. |
| Health care | Medicaid, Delaware Healthy Children Program, clinics, crisis care. | Eligibility depends on income, household, and program 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. | Programs may pay only certain costs and may need proof. |
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, heard, or was affected by abuse, ask a domestic violence advocate about counseling, support groups, school safety needs, and help talking with a school. Ask who needs to know for pickup, attendance, records, or safety support.
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.
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, pediatrician, Medicaid plan, school counselor, or 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, the national pregnancy help guide may help you ask about WIC, Medicaid, diapers, safe sleep items, and newborn support.
Documents and information checklist
Only gather documents if it is safe. Do not risk harm to collect papers. If you cannot safely get a document, tell the advocate, DSS worker, court clerk, or attorney.
| 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. |
If help is denied, delayed, or closed
Survivors may face full shelters, legal aid waitlists, missing-document notices, benefit delays, or denied applications. That does not always mean the case is over.
- Ask for the reason. Ask what rule, document, or program limit caused the denial or delay.
- Ask for safe contact. Tell the office if mail, calls, or online notices could put you at risk.
- Watch deadlines. Use the deadline on the notice, not a guess from another program.
- Keep proof if safe. Save screenshots, upload receipts, fax confirmations, letters, and call notes.
- Ask for the next door. If one office cannot help, ask for another agency, county option, clinic, or advocate.
ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize appeal questions and call notes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for the perfect plan. A hotline advocate can help you sort out the next safer step, even if you are not ready to leave.
- Assuming shelter is the only help. Domestic violence programs may also help with court advocacy, counseling, housing referrals, and children.
- Posting plans online. If accounts may be watched, avoid sharing moves, court dates, new addresses, or benefit appointments.
- 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 left without diapers, baby items, or basic children’s supplies, ask 211 or a shelter advocate for local programs after you have a safer contact plan.
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 emergency help. 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 lÃneas 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 seguridad, refugio, corte, una orden de protección, comida, beneficios, cuidado infantil y apoyo para sus hijos. Si puede, use un teléfono o computadora más segura. Esta guÃa 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 safer 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 report, 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 June 18, 2026, next review September 18, 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.