There are few things as destabilizing then losing your home or access to water and electricity. Because of this, Housing Stability is one of our program pillars.

LCS works with local government programs, community networks, and individual donors to provide emergency financial assistance when its needed most. Our goal is to keep as many families in their homes as possible, while also maintaining access to critical utilities.

But with any system comes complexity. So to help take some of the confusion out of the process, we sat down with Housing Stability Manager, Morgan Williams, to talk about how the assistance process works, along with some tips to make it easier.

What kind of assistance do you help with?

LCS typically assists with past due rent or utilities bills for Delaware residents. This is dependent on funding from 3rd party sources, so we may be limited with what we can assist with. We occasionally have funds for security deposits, dependent on our partners.

How do you apply for assistance?

Applications are made on our website. Someone from Housing Stability team will review and follow up with any needed information including proof of income, proof of Delaware residence, and either a late letter from a landlord or utility disconnect notice

A case worker will reach out to follow up with any additional information.

If you are ineligible to receive assistance for any reason, we will provide a resource list of other potential avenues of assistance.

How much can we help you?

We distribute funds on a case-by-case basis. Our funds are limited, so we may not be able to fully cover your need. If LCS can’t cover the complete balance, we may require proof that another agency will cover the difference

Why aren’t you accepting applications?

The LCS team responds to requests in the order they are received. If we are at capacity for case load, we will pause applications until the pending cases are processed. If you need immediate assistance, we can provide resources to other aid organizations

What happens if LCS runs out of funds?

LCS constantly works to ensure a steady stream of assistance funds, but we are dependent on Government Agencies and 3rd Parties for the bulk of our funding. We often are restricted on where these funds can be used and for which purpose. We strive for transparency whenever funds are available and when they are depleted.

How long does the process take?

When we receive your application, a housing stability team representative will contact you in 3-5 business days. If you meet the initial eligibility requirements, you will be provided a list of required documents to complete your application. After the application is completed and approved, your landlord or utility company will be mailed an assistance check within 1-2 business days.

Note: until all documents are completed and returned to the housing stability team, we can not move forward with your application and your application is considered incomplete. Funds are allocated when your application is completed, NOT when it was received. Funds can only be released upon your application’s completion, so communicate any issues with your case worker to ensure a smooth process!

LCS is here to help you

While we can’t control the requirements for assistance, we do our best to make the process as painless as possible. We are always happy to answer any questions, and want your emergency resolved quickly.