State benefits
Delaware veterans are eligible for 10 state and federal benefit programs, including Healthcare, Education, Employment, and more. Most state programs require state residency and a VA-issued disability rating; eligibility thresholds vary by program. This page lists every benefit with source URLs and application paths.
10 programs6 categoriesOfficial source linked on every program
Healthcare
Value: 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.
Note: Located in Milford. 1-year DE residency and 180 days active duty required.
Education
Value: 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.
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.
Value: 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.
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
Value: 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.
Note: Disabled veterans get 10 points, other veterans get 5 points on state civil service exams.
Financial
Value: $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.
Note: For paraplegic veterans from wartime service. $3,000/year in monthly installments.
Value: 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.
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
Value: 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.
Note: Up to $12,500 excluded. Military disability retirement fully excluded. Delaware also has no state sales tax.
Value: 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.
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
Value: 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.
Note: 60% disability threshold. Also available to active duty stationed in DE.
Value: 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.
Note: Available to all honorably discharged veterans. Vehicle must be registered in Delaware.
“Up to $12,500 excluded. Military disability retirement fully excluded. Delaware also has no state sales tax.”
Questions
Delaware offers 10 veteran benefit programs spanning Healthcare, Education, Employment, Financial, Tax, Recreation. Eligibility requirements vary by program — most require a VA-issued disability rating and state residency.
Many Delaware benefit programs require a minimum VA disability rating — commonly 10%, 50%, or 100%. Some programs, such as education assistance or employment preference, have no rating requirement. Check each benefit listing on this page for the specific threshold.
Most Delaware state benefits require current state residency. Some programs require continuous residency for one or more years. Federal VA benefits are available to all eligible veterans regardless of state of residence.
Yes — in most cases, state and federal veteran benefits are stackable. For example, a property tax exemption from Delaware does not reduce your federal VA disability compensation. Some federal needs-based programs may offset certain state payments; review each program's terms.
Applications for Delaware state benefits are typically submitted through the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs or the administering state agency. Application links are listed directly on each benefit card on this page. Federal VA benefits are applied for at VA.gov.
Yes — Delaware has at least one property tax benefit listed for veterans. Eligibility typically requires a minimum disability rating and state residency. See the Tax section on this page for the current threshold and application link.
Yes — Delaware offers education benefits for veterans. These may include tuition waivers, National Guard tuition assistance, or supplemental GI Bill top-ups. See the Education section on this page for current programs and eligibility.
Most Delaware state benefit programs require an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Most federal VA benefits require a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, but the GI Bill is stricter: the Montgomery GI Bill for active duty requires an honorable discharge, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill ordinarily does too. With an other-than-honorable discharge, VA makes a character-of-discharge determination, and some benefits may still be available; consult a VSO or accredited claims agent for individual eligibility.
Agency · Healthcare benefit source — Delaware
Agency · Education benefit source — Delaware
Agency · Tax benefit source — Delaware
Agency · Recreation benefit source — Delaware
Agency · Recreation benefit source — Delaware
CFR · Federal regulations governing VA disability compensation and pension
Agency · Official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits portal
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