Government Programs
Visit http://www.delaware.gov/ for a listing of online Delaware government services and information.
Go to http://www.benefits.gov/ or call 800-FED-INFO for federal government benefits information.
Delaware Health and Social Services
Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd for information of interest to older persons, adults with physical disabilities, caregivers, service professionals, and others in Delaware.
Case Management
DHSS Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
NEW CASTLE COUNTY
302-453-3820
KENT/SUSSEX COUNTY
302-424-7310
STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE
1-800-223-9074
MEDICAID
DHSS’ Division of Social Services administers the Medicaid Program (also known as Medical Assistance or Title XIX of the Social Security Act). This is a federal/state insurance program that covers specified medical expenses for the low-income aged, blind, and disabled. There are distinct eligibility criteria for participation in the program.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY
302-368-6610
KENT/SUSSEX COUNTY
302-424-7210
STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE
1-800-372-2022
MEDICARE
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older, qualified disabled persons, and persons with chronic kidney disease. Local Social Security Administration offices take applications for Medicare and provide information about the program. For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or 1-877-486-2048 (TTY) or visit http://www.medicare.gov/.
SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME (SSI)
The Social Security Administration manages the Social Security and SSI programs. Eligibility and benefits for Social Security depend upon one’s employment history. Benefits are also payable to spouses, widow/widowers, and minor or disabled children of retired, disabled, or deceased workers. The federally guaranteed income program for the elderly, blind, and disabled, Supplemental Security Income, provides a guaranteed minimum income for individuals whose incomes are below a certain level.
The Social Security Administration also processes applications for Medicare, and forwards applications for Medicaid to appropriate agencies. For more information about Medicare and Medicaid please refer to the Medicare and Medicaid chapters of this guide. Their website is http://www.ssa.gov/.
WILMINGTON/NEW CASTLE COUNTY
302-323-0304
KENT COUNTY
302-674-5162
SUSSEX COUNTY
302-856-9620
STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE
1-800-772-1213
For more information about the State of Delaware agencies, call the Delaware Helpline at 1-800-464-4357.
Veterans Administration
Benefits and information: 1-800-827-1000
For a copy of “Federal Benefits for Vets and Dependents” call 1-866-512-1800 or go to http://www.va.gov/.
Delaware Housing
These agencies provide housing for persons with low to moderate incomes. Call each agency for the income guidelines, a list of housing options, and placement on a waiting list, if necessary. Also, request a copy of the “Housing in a Hurry” resource guide from the Delaware Housing Coalition at 302-678-2286 or http://www.housingforall.org/.
Delaware State Housing Authority
302-577-5001
302-739-6940
Dover Housing Authority
302-678-1965
Kent County Department of Community Development and Planning
302-774-2480
New Castle County Department of Community Services
302-395-5610
Newark Housing Authority
302-366-0826
Sussex County Community Development and Housing Authority
302-429-6700
HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
302-573-6300
ARC of Delaware
(Homeownership opportunity for persons with cognitive disabilities)
302-996-9400
B’nai B’rith Housing
(Housing for seniors and persons with disabilities)
302-798-6846
Connections CSP
1-866-477-5345
Complaints of Fair Housing Act violations may be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information, call 1-800-669-9777 (voice), 1-800-927-9275 (TTY), or visit www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm.
Information and Assistance
Contact Delaware
(24-hour crisis intervention helpline)
302-761-9100
1-800-262-9800
Delaware Helpline
(Statewide information and referral to over 2,100 health and human service programs, including government offices and personnel.)
1-800-464-4357
1-800-273-9500 (out of state)
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
302-761-8275 (V/TTY)
If you need to call a person who uses a TTY, call the Delaware Relay Service. These services act as a facilitator for the two-way conversation. The operators use a TTY to express your message to the deaf person and verbally deliver the response back to the caller. Call 711 (V/TTY) universal access or 1-800-232-5470.
Practice Without Pressure Center
Practice Without Pressure Pike Creek prepares fearful clients for medical, dental, and personal care. The Practice Without Pressure Practice Model™ provides a framework for people to become comfortable with procedures they once feared, resisted, or avoided. This step-by-step approach promotes trust and learning. Visit https://www.pwppikecreek.com/.
Prescription Assistance Programs
The State of Delaware offers a prescription assistance program for qualified low-income adults with disabilities and seniors over the age of 65 who do not have prescription drug coverage as part of their health insurance. The plan covers up to $3,000/year and requires a $5.00 or 25% co-pay based on the drug cost (whichever is higher).
Prescription Assistance Program (EDS/DPAP)
1-800-996-9969, press 2, then 1
FREE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY
Free Medicine Foundation
573-996-3333
Also, many drug companies have Patient Assistance Programs to help low-income persons pay for the drugs they need. The websites listed below are some resources to access lower-cost or free prescription medicines:
RX Assist
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Benefits Checkup
RX Hope
Needy Meds
Disability Rights Laws
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. Click here to review all Titles of the ADA. For general sources of Disability Rights information, call or visit http://www.ada.gov/.
Charges of employment discrimination on the basis of disability can be directed to a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission field office. To find an EEOC field office in your area, call 1-800-669-4000 (voice), 1-800-669-6820 (TTY), or visit http://www.eeoc.gov/. Publications and information on EEOC-enforced laws may be obtained by calling 1-800-669-3362 (voice), or 1-800-800-3302 (TTY).
For information on how to accommodate a specific individual with a disability, contact the Job Accommodation Network at: 1-800-526-7234 (voice/TTY) or visit http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
Questions and complaints about public transportation (Title II) should be directed to: 1-888-446-4511 (voice/relay) or visit www.fta.dot.gov/office/civ.htm.
Federal law under the ADA requires closed captioning of federally-funded public service announcements. For more information about Telecommunications Relay Services (Title IV), contact the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) at 1-888-225-5322 (voice), 1-888-835-5322 (TTY), or visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.
