| **Stock-based Compensation, Equity Grants, and Warrants (Tables)**                             | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
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| **Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]**                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Stock-based Compensation Expense                                                               | Stock-based compensation expense, shown in the table below, is recorded in general and administrative expenses included in our statement of operations:    (in thousands)   Year Ended Ref September 30,   2016 2015DLH employees $90 $302Non-employee directors(a) 376 177Total stock option expense  $466 $479Ref (a): Equity grants of restricted stock to non-employee directors, in accordance with DLH compensation policy for non-employee directors.    Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense   (in thousands)   Period Ended   September 30, Ref 2016 2015Unrecognized expense for DLH employees(a) $18 $44Unrecognized expense for non-employee directors(b) 24 96Total unrecognized expense  $42 $140Ref (a): Compensation expense for the portion of equity awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered is recognized as the requisite service is rendered. The compensation expense for that portion of awards has been based on the grant-date fair value of those awards as calculated for recognition purposes under applicable guidance. For options that vest based on the Company’s common stock achieving and maintaining defined market prices, the Company values the awards with a binomial model that utilizes various probability factors and other criterion in establishing fair value of the grant. The related compensation expense is recognized over the derived service period determined in the valuation. This expense is expected to be recognized within the next twelve months.Ref (b):  Unrecognized stock expense related to prior years equity grants of restricted stock to non-employee directors, based on performance criteria, in accordance with DLH compensation policy for non-employee directors.  The shares will vest and expense will be recorded within the next twelve months. |
| Stock Option Activity                                                                          | This amount will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock.       (in years)         Weighted       Weighted Average (in thousands)   (in thousands) Average Remaining Aggregate   Number of Exercise Contractual Intrinsic Ref Shares Price Term ValueOptions outstanding, September 30, 2014  2,380 $1.40 7.8 $1,589Canceled  (56) $1.40    Options outstanding, September 30, 2015  2,324 $1.40 6.8 $3,649Granted(a) 25 $2.80    Exercised  (123) $1.40    Options outstanding, September 30, 2016  2,226 $1.43 5.8 $7,581Ref (a): Option grants to DLH employees were valued using a binomial model, under the following criteria:Risk free interest rate1.01%Contractual term10 yearsDividend yield—%Expected lives10 yearsExpected volatility106%Fair value per option$2.55                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] | Ref (a): Option grants to DLH employees were valued using a binomial model, under the following criteria:Risk free interest rate1.01%Contractual term10 yearsDividend yield—%Expected lives10 yearsExpected volatility106%Fair value per option$2.55                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Stock Option Shares Outstanding, Vested and Expected to Vest                                   | Stock options shares outstanding, vested and unvested for the period ended:   (in thousands)   Number of Shares   September 30, Ref 2016 2015Vested and exercisable(a) 1,909 1,093Unvested(b) 317 1,231Options outstanding  2,226 2,324Ref (a): Weighted average exercise price of vested and exercisable shares was $1.48 and $1.40 at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value was $6.4 million and $1.6 million at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Weighted average contractual term was 6.0 years  and  7.3 years at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.Ref (b): Certain awards vest upon satisfaction of certain performance criteria.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the allocation of equity-based compensation costs to a given line item on the balance sheet and income statement for the period. This may include the reporting line for the costs and the amount capitalized and expensed.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the number and weighted-average exercise prices (or conversion ratios) for share options (or share units) that were outstanding at the beginning and end of the year, vested and expected to vest, exercisable or convertible at the end of the year, and the number of share options or share units that were granted, exercised or converted, forfeited, and expired during the year.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the significant assumptions used during the year to estimate the fair value of stock options, including, but not limited to: (a) expected term of share options and similar instruments, (b) expected volatility of the entity's shares, (c) expected dividends, (d) risk-free rate(s), and (e) discount for post-vesting restrictions.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the number of fully vested share options (or share units) and share options expected to vest at the date of the latest statement of financial position, weighted-average exercise price (or conversion ratio), aggregate intrinsic value (except for nonpublic entities), and weighted-average remaining contractual term for both options (or share units) currently outstanding and options (or share units) exercisable (or convertible).
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