Delaware DSS Service Centers for Medicare Savings Program Help

Figuring out which state office handles Medicare Savings Programs in Delaware takes longer than it should — the Division of Social Services operates 15 State Service Centers and 4 Social Services offices across three counties, and the Medicare counseling arm operates through a completely different department. Here's every office that matters, organized by what they can actually do for you.

Where to Apply: DSS State Service Centers and Offices

The Division of Social Services (DSS) handles all MSP applications and eligibility determinations. DSS describes its network as 15 State Service Centers and 4 Social Services offices. Its current location directory lists 20 address entries, including separate Milford Annex and Riverwalk sites. The listed locations accept applications in person, and cases are handled through the statewide eligibility system. Pick the location closest to your parent — there's no assigned office based on address.

New Castle County

Kent County

Sussex County

Statewide phone line: 1-866-843-7212 (DSS Customer Relations Unit)

You can also apply online through Delaware ASSIST at assist.dhss.delaware.gov without visiting any office. Paper forms are available at every center or by calling the statewide line.

Free Medicare Counseling: DMAB (formerly ELDERinfo)

DSS handles the application, but they don't provide counseling on which program fits your situation or help you compare Part D plans. That's the job of the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB), housed in the Delaware Department of Insurance.

DMAB is Delaware's official SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) — the same service previously known as ELDERinfo. Their trained volunteer counselors provide free, unbiased help with:

• Screening for QMB, SLMB, QI, and DPAP eligibility
• Medicare plan comparisons (Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage)
• Extra Help applications
• Understanding denial or renewal notices

DMAB contact: 1-800-336-9500 or (302) 674-7364

Appointment wait times lengthen during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7). If you need help outside that window, scheduling is typically faster. DMAB counselors cannot act as legal representatives, file appeals, or manage ongoing case documentation — those require DSS directly or legal aid.

Other Free Resources

Delaware ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center): 1-800-223-9074. Broad aging services referrals, including connections to Area Agency on Aging programs, home care options, and caregiver support. Not Medicare-specific, but helpful when the MSP question is part of a larger care planning conversation.

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI): Free legal representation for low-income Delawareans in administrative fair hearings. If your parent's MSP application was denied or benefits were terminated and you need to file a formal appeal, CLASI provides attorneys who handle these cases.

Choosing Your Office

For in-person visits, the most relevant factor is wait time. New Castle County offices see heavy foot traffic; the county's main access hubs include Robscott, Porter, Hudson, and Churchman's Corporate Center. Sussex County offices serve rural areas with longer drive times.

All locations handle the same application. Your case is processed through the statewide eligibility system regardless of which listed location receives the paperwork.

Our Delaware Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help & DPAP Guide maps every office with the complete document checklist and appointment preparation worksheet, so you arrive with everything DSS needs in a single visit.

See more Delaware guides →