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Veterans Benefits in Delaware

10 benefit programs available in Delaware.

Healthcare

Delaware Veterans Home (Milford)

Subsidized skilled nursing and long-term care

The Delaware Veterans Home in Milford provides skilled nursing and long-term care for veterans who were DE residents for at least one year, served 180+ days active duty, and require nursing home level care.

Agency: Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs

Note: Located in Milford. 1-year DE residency and 180 days active duty required.

Education

Delaware Dependent Education – Free College for Children of KIA/POW

Up to 4 years of free college tuition

Children of military members killed on active duty or who died from service-connected causes, as well as children of POW/MIA members, are eligible for up to four years of free college at Delaware state institutions.

Agency: Delaware Office of Veterans Services

Note: Child must be age 16–24 and DE resident for 3+ years. Interaction with federal education benefits varies — contact school financial aid office for details.

Delaware Free Tuition for Purple Heart Recipients

Free tuition at Delaware public colleges

Delaware Purple Heart medal recipients who are state residents are entitled to free tuition at any Delaware public college or university, honoring their combat sacrifice with full educational support.

Agency: Delaware Department of Education

Note: Exclusively for Purple Heart recipients — no disability rating or income requirement. Covers tuition at all DE public institutions including University of Delaware. Interaction with federal GI Bill varies — contact school financial aid office for details.

Employment

Delaware Veterans Employment Preference

5–10 point employment preference

Delaware provides hiring preference for state employment with 10 points for disabled veterans and 5 points for other eligible veterans on civil service examinations.

Agency: Delaware Department of Human Resources

Note: Disabled veterans get 10 points, other veterans get 5 points on state civil service exams.

Financial

Delaware Paraplegic Veteran Annual Pension

$3,000 annual pension ($250/month)

Paraplegic veterans whose disability resulted from wartime military service receive a pension of $3,000 per year paid in monthly installments.

Agency: Delaware Office of Veterans Services

Note: For paraplegic veterans from wartime service. $3,000/year in monthly installments.

Delaware Veterans' Pension

State pension supplement for qualifying low-income veterans

Delaware provides a state pension supplement to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who meet income and residency requirements, complementing federal VA compensation for low-income veterans.

Agency: Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs

Note: Income-tested benefit for wartime veterans. Surviving spouses also eligible. Complements federal VA pension — check if you qualify for both. Contact DCVA for current income limits and application process.

Tax

Delaware Military Retirement Income Tax Exclusion

Up to $12,500 state income tax exclusion on military retirement

Delaware excludes up to $12,500 of military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments from state income tax. Military disability retirement pay is fully excluded.

Agency: Delaware Division of Revenue

Note: Up to $12,500 excluded. Military disability retirement fully excluded. Delaware also has no state sales tax.

Delaware Disabled Veterans School Property Tax Credit

Full school property tax credit

Delaware veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating and their surviving spouses are eligible for a full credit on the school portion of their property tax, which is typically the largest component of the tax bill.

Agency: Delaware Division of Revenue

Note: Covers the school portion of property tax, which is typically the largest component. Surviving spouses also qualify. Apply through your county assessment office with VA 100% disability documentation.

Recreation

Delaware Free Hunting, Trapping & Fishing for Disabled Veterans

Free hunting, trapping, and fishing license

Active duty members stationed in Delaware and veterans with a disability rating of 60% or more can obtain a no-fee hunting, trapping, and fishing license.

Agency: Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Note: 60% disability threshold. Also available to active duty stationed in DE.

Delaware State Parks 50% Discount for Veterans

50% off annual state park vehicle entrance fee

Veterans who honorably served, including Delaware National Guard members, receive a 50% discount on the annual vehicle entrance fee to Delaware state parks and recreational areas.

Agency: Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation

Note: Available to all honorably discharged veterans. Vehicle must be registered in Delaware.

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