Delaware Veterans Benefits
Delaware Veteran Benefits
The State of Delaware offers many benefits to military members and their families. You can also learn about veterans’ benefits in other states.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Delaware
In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are veterans’ benefits programs provided by the state of Delaware. Find colleges in Delaware with our School Finder. Use the filters to sort schools by state.
Education Benefits Dependents Of Those Who Died As A Result of Military Service, POWs and MIAs
Qualifying school-age dependent children of military members who died while on active duty or as a result of active duty may qualify for tuition assistance at Delaware state-supported schools. Dependent children of POWs and MIAs may also qualify.
To qualify, the applicant must be no older than 24 and must have been a resident of the state for three years or more at application time. These benefits are issued by the Delaware Postsecondary Education Commission.
RELATED: Scholarships for Gold Star Families
Delaware National Guard Tuition Assistance
Qualifying members of the Delaware National Guard may be eligible for up to 100% tuition at state-supported colleges and universities. Assistance may also be available for certain private colleges in the state.
This program funds one degree, and the program is available as long as state funding for it is also available.
To qualify you must be a Delaware National Guard Service member in good standing and serve a minimum of six years. Once you begin using these benefits you have 10 years before they expire. State assistance can be used in conjunction with federal tuition assistance up to the total cost of tuition.
RELATED: National Guard Tuition Assistance
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Delaware
The Delaware State Housing Authority offers first-time home buyers and experienced homeowners alike the opportunity to apply for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with options for down payment assistance and other help.
These loans are offered via a network of participating lenders, and application requirements may vary depending on the type of loan and down payment help you seek.
These mortgages are not specifically offered to veterans and their families, but they often have a VA mortgage option you can choose when working with a participating lender. The loans may be need-based and frequently include income restrictions and other guidelines. Minimum FICO scores and maximum loan amounts may apply.
Health Care Benefits for Veterans in Delaware
Delaware Veterans Home
The Delaware Veterans Home is a 150-bed long-term care facility established in 2007. The facility offers skilled nursing services and a special needs unit for those who suffer from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Admission requirements include being honorably discharged from active duty service. You may qualify as a member of the National Guard or the reserve.
To be admitted, the veteran must have been a resident of the state of Delaware for three years or more prior to the application date.
Those who need to discuss pre-need planning or who want to begin the application process should contact the Denver Veterans Home to speak with an Admissions Nurse. You must submit an application packet and supporting documentation such as medical records, discharge paperwork, etc. A medical assessment of the new patient is also required.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Delaware
Veterans’ Preference
The State of Delaware offers Veterans’ Preference points for competitive state job examinations. This preference is offered to Honorably discharged veterans, members of the Delaware National Guard, or a Reserve unit located in Delaware.
The duration of the service commitment may vary depending on status as active duty, Guard, or Reserve. Spouses may also qualify if the service member meets one of four statuses for 90 days or more:
- Missing in action
- Captured in the line of duty
- Forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power
- Some spouses may also qualify
Veterans Preference is offered only in the initial exam and is not offered for promotion or job retention.
Qualifying disabled veterans may be eligible for 10 points, all others may qualify for 5 points of preference.
Spouses are entitled to the same amount of preference points as the veteran. Furthermore, State of Delaware employees who leave their state employment to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces are offered seniority credit (up to three years) for the time served.
Financial Benefits For Veterans In Delaware
Military Retirement Pay Tax Exclusions
Veterans who are Delaware state residents may exclude up to $12,500 of military retirement pay from state taxes. The state also excludes Military Disability Retirement Pay from taxable income, which may include:
- Disability compensation/pension payments for disabilities
- Grants for qualifying specially adapted homes
- Grants for motor vehicle adaptation
- Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program
Delaware residents who qualify for a military survivor’s pension and who are 60 or older may be allowed to exclude up to $12,500. For residents under age 60 the exclusion amount is limited to $2,000.
Other Military Tax Benefits In Delaware
The Delaware Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit is offered to disabled veterans for a tax credit up to 100% of any “non-vocational school district property tax” against a primary residence. To qualify veterans must meet the following requirements:
- The veteran draws compensation from the VA for a service-connected 100% permanent and total disability, OR;
- The veteran gets compensation from the VA at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability AND;
- The veteran has been a resident of Delaware for three years.
After the initial approval for this tax credit, you are not required to reapply. Applications for this tax credit must be filed with your local Tax Assessor’s office.
Per Diem Payment For Delaware National Guard Members on State Active Duty
Delaware National Guard Service members activated for duty at the state level during an emergency are paid per diem “equal to twice what would be authorized for federal active duty Service members of the same grade and time in service” according to Army.mil..
For state active duty including training or other non-emergency response, Delaware National Guard Service members should expect per diem “equal to what is authorized for active duty Service members of the same grade and length of service in the U.S. Armed Forces” according to Army.mil.
Delaware State Pension Benefits for Paraplegic Veterans
Qualifying Delaware residents who are paraplegic veterans may be eligible for a pension from the state, listed in 2022 worth $3000 per year. This benefit is paid in monthly installments and the applicant must file paperwork with the Delaware Pension Office showing the disability is the direct result of military service in a time of war.
Delaware State Burial Benefits For Veterans
Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
There are two Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemeteries in the state, one located in Bear, the other in Millsboro.
Qualifying veterans, spouses, and dependent children under 21 years of age may qualify for burial in one of these locations. Qualifying criteria includes but is not limited to the following:
- A Delaware resident who was honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, other than active duty for training Or;
- A reservist who has served more than 180 days of active federal service.
- Spouses may also qualify, “upon pre-qualification of eligible Veteran” according to the State of Delaware.
- Members of the Delaware National Guard and Reservists may also qualify if they are eligible for retirement pay at age 60 regardless of residency and who served for more than 180 days on active duty.
For more information regarding Delaware veterans benefits, please visit the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs
Related state military and veteran information: