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Delaware — Veteran Benefits

Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.

At a Glance — What Unlocks by Status / Rating

Veteran benefits unlocked at each service status and disability rating in Delaware
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
Active Duty Resident hunting/fishing at resident price; 50% state park pass (with DE-registered vehicle); titling doc fee waiver on relocation; free DL renewal by mail; TRICARE; salary continuation (state employees)
Guard / Reserve All Active Duty benefits; state tuition assistance up to 100% (direct payment as of July 1, 2026, 6-yr obligation); paid military leave 112.5–120 hrs/yr; line-of-duty death $200K + child tuition; 5-pt hiring preference at 20 yrs
Military Retiree $25,000 military retired pay exclusion (TY 2026); free veteran DL designation; 50% state park pass; 5-pt hiring preference; cemetery eligibility
Veteran (honorable, no rating) 5-pt state hiring preference; 50% state park pass; free veteran DL designation; free state cemetery; free notary; free death certificate; wartime-era high school diploma
0% SC Same as honorable no-rating — no additional state rating-based benefits below 60%
10–20% Same as honorable no-rating — no additional state rating-based benefits below 60%
30–40% Same as honorable no-rating — no additional state rating-based benefits below 60%
50–60% At **60%**: lifetime free hunting/fishing/trapping license; 10-pt hiring preference if SC disability exists
70–90% Free hunting/fishing/trapping (60% threshold met); 10-pt hiring preference; DAV plate (any SC with wartime service)
100% schedular DAV plate; 10-pt hiring preference; school property tax credit if also P&T
TDIU Same as 100% schedular; school property tax credit qualifies (TDIU = compensation at 100% rate)
P&T School property tax credit (100% of non-vocational school district taxes); surviving spouse inherits credit; all Tier 10 benefits
SMC (Housebound/A&A) No additional state-specific SMC tier benefits found; all P&T benefits apply
Surviving spouse / dependents May inherit school property tax credit (unremarried, remain in home); children of deceased vets (ages 16–24) get up to 4 yrs free college; DIC fully exempt from DE income tax; Gold Star plate free; cemetery eligibility

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

VA compensation at 100% P&T — either (a) 100% schedular service-connected disability rated permanent and total, or (b) Individual Unemployability (TDIU) paid at 100% rate. Delaware legal domicile for the past 3 years. No income limit. Must own the primary residence solely or jointly with a spouse. All prior property tax liabilities must be paid in full through the preceding tax year.

Authority: Delaware Code Title 9 (County property tax); finance.delaware.gov/disabled-veterans/

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

Delaware does not impose a vehicle personal property tax on motor vehicles. No veteran-specific vehicle tax exemption exists because the underlying tax does not apply.

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

Delaware has **no state or local sales tax** of any kind. No veteran-specific exemption is needed or exists.

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

**Benefit:** Active duty pay and allowances that are federally excluded from gross income (combat zone pay, BAH, BAS, etc.) follow federal treatment and are excluded from Delaware gross income. Delaware conforms to federal adjusted gross income as the starting point; federally excluded military income carries through automatically.

Authority: 30 Del. C. § 1106 (general conformity to federal AGI); IRS Publication 3.

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

**Benefit (TY 2026):** $25,000 exclusion of U.S. military retired pay for **all ages**, under the SB 201 phase-in schedule (enacted 2024).

Authority: 30 Del. C. § 1106; SB 201 (enacted, TY 2026 phase-in complete).

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

**Benefit:** SBP annuity payments qualify for the same $25,000 military income exclusion (age 60+) or $2,000 general pension exclusion (under 60) as military retired pay. See § 5 for the full phase-in schedule.

Authority: 30 Del. C. § 1106.

7. State Income Tax — General

- **Social Security benefits:** Not taxed in Delaware. - **Veterans disability compensation:** Not included in Delaware gross income (follows federal exclusion; 26 U.S.C. § 104). - **VA pensions and D

8. Sales Tax Exemption

Delaware has no state or local sales tax. No exemption card program exists or is needed.

9. Other State Tax Breaks

**Veterans' Opportunity Credit (employer-side):** Employers hiring veterans with 90+ days service in Iraq/Afghanistan (post-2001 hostile environment) earn a Delaware income tax credit of **10% of the veteran's wages, up to $1,500/year**, for the year of hire plus two subsequent tax years. This directly benefits newly-hired veterans by making them more attractive to Delaware employers. Authority: 30 Del. C. Ch. 20A (§ 20A-101).

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

**Adaptive-equipment vehicles — full fee waiver:** A motor vehicle owned by a veteran whose service-connected disability qualifies them for VA adaptive-equipment benefits (power steering, power brakes, power window lifts, power seats, special entry/exit devices) is **exempt from all vehicle registration fees**. Limited to **one automobile per eligible veteran** at any one time. Requires VA documentation of adaptive-equipment eligibility. Authority: 21 Del. C. § 2164.

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

Service-connected disability incurred during a period of war or armed conflict — honorable service required. VA documentation required. No minimum disability percentage is specified by Delaware primary sources; ⚠️ verify with DE DMV whether any minimum rating applies. - **Fee:** $10 administrative fee. - **Additional park benefit:** DAV plate holders receive a 50% discount on the annual vehicle entrance fee for Delaware state parks. See § 24. - **Surviving spouse:** May retain the plate upon the veteran's death. - **Application:** Any Delaware DMV office; submit VA documentation.
Verify locally: No minimum disability percentage is specified by Delaware primary sources; ⚠️ verify with DE DMV whether any minimum rating applies.

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

Delaware offers **37+ specialty plate designs** for military service members, veterans, and families. Notable plates:
Verify locally: | |---|---|---|---| | Purple Heart | $10 admin | Purple Heart recipients | Yes | | Honorably Discharged Military Veteran | $15 admin | DD-214 honorable discharge | Yes | | POW/MIA | No fee listed | Confirmed POW/MIA | N/A | | Gold Star Family | **Free** | Immediate family of KIA (Gold Star Lapel Button proof) | Yes (surviving spouse) | | National Guard / Retired Military / Korean War / Vietnam / OIF / OEF | Varies | Respective service criteria | Check at DMV | **Application:** Any Delaware DMV office with appropriate documentation.

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

No Delaware state toll exemption program for veterans was found. Delaware Memorial Bridge and Delaware River Bay Authority tolls charge standard rates for all vehicles. No program confirmed as of 2026-05-30.

14. Public Transit Discount

No Delaware statewide free or reduced transit program specifically for veterans was found. ⚠️ Verify with DART First State (Delaware's transit agency, 302-652-3278) for any local or county programs.

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

**Unavailable as a veteran-specific benefit.** Delaware issues standard disabled parking placards/plates through the DMV for qualifying individuals with mobility disabilities; veterans with qualifying disabilities apply through the same process as any resident. There is no veteran-specific overlay or fee waiver beyond the standard ADA/disability program. Authority: 21 Del. C. § 2134.

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

**Veteran designation on DL/ID card:** Free of charge. Any Delaware veteran with honorable discharge may have "VETERAN" printed on their driver's license or state ID.

Authority: dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/military-services/

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

- Licensed on a military vehicle similar in class to the CDL being sought for **at least 2 years** - Honorably discharged within **1 year** of application (former service members) - No more than one license (excluding military) - No license suspension, revocation, or cancellation in any state - No major traffic violations, multiple serious violations, or railroad crossing violations per 49 CFR § 385.51

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

Covered under § 16 above — free, requires DD-214 or equivalent at any DMV office. No separate application or fee.

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

**60%+ SC disability — lifetime exemption:** Veterans with a **60% or higher** service-connected VA disability rating and honorable discharge receive a **free, lifetime exemption** from hunting license requirements (no annual fee). Must obtain a free License Exempt Number (LEN) each year. Required safety/education courses still apply.

Authority: 7 Del. C. § 502.

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

**Same threshold as hunting:** 60%+ SC disability — lifetime free exemption from freshwater fishing license.

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

**Same threshold:** The Delaware 60%+ SC exemption covers all fishing (fresh and saltwater) within the state under 7 Del. C. § 502. ⚠️ Verify whether any federal coastal/saltwater stamp requirements are separate from the state license exemption.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify whether any federal coastal/saltwater stamp requirements are separate from the state license exemption.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

**The 60%+ SC exemption covers all three:** hunting, fishing, and **trapping** in a single exemption under 7 Del. C. § 502. No separate combo license needed.

23. Trapping License

**Included in the 60%+ SC lifetime exemption** — trapping license waived under 7 Del. C. § 502. Same application process as hunting/fishing (§ 19).

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

Delaware resident who is (a) active-duty U.S. Armed Forces or Delaware National Guard, OR (b) honorably discharged veteran, OR (c) 20+ years service with honorable discharge. - **Benefit:** 50% off the annual vehicle pass for Delaware state parks.

25. State Parks — Camping

**Unavailable as a separate discount** — the 50% Military Pass covers the annual vehicle entrance fee; no separate free or discounted camping fee program was found for veterans. ⚠️ Verify with Delaware State Parks (destateparks.com) whether the vehicle pass discount applies to camping fees.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify with Delaware State Parks (destateparks.

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

**Annual Military Pass** (50% off) is described in § 24. **DAV plate holders** are also eligible for 50% off the annual vehicle entrance pass. No separate lifetime park pass program for veterans was found beyond the annual Military Pass.

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No veteran-specific boat registration fee waiver or discount program was identified for Delaware. Standard fees apply through DNREC. ⚠️ Verify directly with DNREC Boat Registration Office: 302-739-9916, 89 Kings Hwy SW, Dover DE 19901.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

**Federal Veterans Choice Act (mandatory):** Any veteran using GI Bill benefits (Post-9/11, Montgomery, etc.) and living in Delaware is entitled to **in-state tuition rates** at any Delaware public school regardless of state residency duration, as long as they are enrolled and using benefits. Applies to transferees of benefits as well (spouse/child using transferred benefits, as long as veteran lives in Delaware). Authority: 38 U.S.C. § 3679.

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

Delaware does not have a state tuition waiver program for disabled veterans themselves. The school property tax credit (§ 1) is the primary state benefit for 100% P&T veterans. The federal GI Bill covers education costs separately. No program providing free tuition at Delaware public universities specifically for 100% P&T veterans was identified. ⚠️ Verify with the University of Delaware and Delaware State University whether they offer institutional fee waivers for P&T veterans.

30. Dependent Education Benefit

Child of a Delaware service member or veteran who: - Was killed on active duty, OR - Died from a service-connected disease, wound, injury, or disability, OR - Is/was a confirmed POW or MIA (must have been a Delaware resident when declared) - **Child's age:** 16–24 years old - **Residency:** Child must have been a Delaware resident for at least 3 years prior to application - **Benefit:** Covers **all tuition and required fees** at Delaware state-supported colleges/universities for up to **4 years** (undergraduate or vocational) - **If unavailable at public DE school:** May attend a private Delaware college at the equivalent public rate; if unavailable in Delaware entirely, may attend an out-of-state institution - **Administrator:** Delaware National Guard Education Office, 302-326-7012 - **Authority:** 14 Del. C. ⚠️ (specific section — verify exact statute number with Delaware National Guard Education Office)
Verify locally: **Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans:** - **Eligibility:** Child of a Delaware service member or veteran who: - Was killed on active duty, OR - Died from a service-connected disease, wound, injury, or disability, OR - Is/was a confirmed POW or MIA (must have been a Delaware resident when declared) - **Child's age:** 16–24 years old - **Residency:** Child must have been a Delaware resident for at least 3 years prior to application - **Benefit:** Covers **all tuition and required fees** at Delaware state-supported colleges/universities for up to **4 years** (undergraduate or vocational) - **If unavailable at public DE school:** May attend a private Delaware college at the equivalent public rate; if unavailable in Delaware entirely, may attend an out-of-state institution - **Administrator:** Delaware National Guard Education Office, 302-326-7012 - **Authority:** 14 Del. ⚠️ (specific section — verify exact statute number with Delaware National Guard Education Office) **Delaware National Guard Line-of-Duty Death — Surviving Children:** Surviving children of a Delaware National Guard member killed on state active duty receive 4 years of tuition assistance at a college or university.

Authority: 14 Del. C. ⚠️ (specific section — verify exact statute number with Delaware National Guard Education Office)

31. Spouse Education Benefit

**Unavailable as a direct state benefit.** No specific Delaware state tuition waiver or scholarship program for military spouses was identified beyond the provisional license accommodation (§ 37). Federal MyCAA program is available separately. ⚠️ Verify with Delaware National Guard Education Office (302-326-7012) and Delaware Higher Education for any newly-enacted spouse programs.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify with Delaware National Guard Education Office (302-326-7012) and Delaware Higher Education for any newly-enacted spouse programs.

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

Active member of a federally recognized Delaware National Guard unit in good standing with at least **6-year service commitment**; minimum **2.0 GPA** - **Coverage:** Up to **100% of tuition** at Delaware state-supported colleges/universities, OR the average in-state tuition at a private Delaware college - **Degree limits:** One certificate, one associate degree, one bachelor's degree; master's degrees only if all undergraduate funding is exhausted - **Eligibility window:** 15 years from program start - **Contact:** Delaware National Guard Education Office, 302-326-7012 - **Authority:** 14 Del. C. § 3480; HB 160 (effective July 1, 2026)

Authority: 14 Del. C. § 3480; HB 160 (effective July 1, 2026)

33. K-12 Support

**Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3):** Delaware participates. Addresses barriers for military children related to frequent moves: enrollment procedures, placement/course decisions, attendance variances, graduation requirements, and extracurricular eligibility. Administered through each school district.

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

No separate state veteran-specific scholarship or loan program beyond the dependent/deceased-vet program (§ 30) and National Guard TA (§ 32) was identified.

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

**Delaware State Merit System hiring preference:**

Authority: 29 Del. C. § 5935.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**Military Education, Training & Experience (METE):** Licensing boards must evaluate whether a veteran's military education, training, and experience is substantially equivalent to state licensure requirements. If so, the board may waive or reduce examination requirements. Contact: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, 302-744-4500, customerservice.dpr@delaware.gov.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify with specific licensing boards (nursing, teaching, real estate, etc.

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

**Military Spouse 6-Month Provisional License:** Spouses of active-duty service members who relocate to Delaware may obtain a temporary occupational license valid for **6 months** while their out-of-state credentials are evaluated for Delaware endorsement. Administered through DELPROS (Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, 302-744-4500). Authority: Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act (federal) as adopted by Delaware.

38. Business License Fee Break

**Auctioneer / Book Agent Exemption:** Honorably discharged veterans are not required to obtain a Delaware license to work as book agents (door-to-door sales of books) or as auctioneers. Authority: 30 Del. C. § 2116. No other general business license fee waiver for veterans was found.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**Delaware State Pension — Military Service Credit:** - **Pre-1976 hires:** Employees hired before July 1, 1976 may receive up to **5 years of state retirement service credit** for prior full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, provided they became a state employee within 5 years of discharge or within 5 years of completing approved professional/vocational training. - **Post-hire service:** State employees who leave employment for military service receive full service credit upon returning within 90 days of discharge. - **Purchased credit:** Additional military service credit may be purchased; does not affect eligibility but increases the pension benefit calculation. - **Contact:** pensionoffice@delaware.gov; 800-722-7300; 302-739-4208.

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

**No standalone Delaware veteran mortgage program.** Delaware veterans primarily use the federal VA Home Loan (no down payment, no PMI).
Verify locally: **Funding status as of 2026:** The program is currently **out of funds** — ⚠️ verify availability before advising any veteran to apply.

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

Delaware resident; honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions; documented emergency financial need; plan for self-sufficiency - **Eligible expenses:** Rent/mortgage, utilities (electric/gas/water/sewer/trash), childcare, medical bills, vehicle payments/insurance, and other emergency costs - **Dollar cap:** Not publicly specified — fund-dependent; approval not guaranteed - **Disbursement:** Paid directly to vendor/service provider, not to the veteran - **Required docs:** DD-214; valid Delaware DL or ID; bills/invoices showing hardship; 2 recent pay stubs; 2 recent bank statements - **Apply:** Email DOS_OVS@delaware.gov or in person at: Bear (2465 Chesapeake City Rd), Dover (802 Silver Lake Blvd Suite 100), or Millsboro (26669 Patriots Way) - **Contact:** 302-739-2792; vets.delaware.gov/veterans-trust-fund/

Authority: 20 Del. C. § 1001

42. State Veteran Bonus

**Unavailable (currently).** Delaware issued wartime bonuses after WWII (1949), Korea (1955), and Vietnam (1968). No current general state bonus program for post-9/11 or later-era veterans was found as of 2026-05-30. ⚠️ Verify — Delaware has not reinstated a bonus program.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify — Delaware has not reinstated a bonus program.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

**Unavailable as a state program.** Delaware does not have a state-funded adapted housing supplement. Veterans use federal VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH, up to $126,526 FY2026) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA, up to $25,350 FY2026) grants. No Delaware state match or supplement program was found.

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

**Delaware Veterans Trust Fund** (§ 41) covers utility bills as an eligible emergency expense.

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

1. Requires skilled nursing home level of care 2. Delaware resident for at least **1 year** prior to application 3. Military service: One of — - **180+ days** active duty with honorable discharge, OR - National Guard/Reserves eligible for retirement pay at age 60 (or who would have been except for death before 60), OR - Served on active duty at least **180 days** (not necessarily consecutive) with honorable discharge 4. Surviving spouse or parent of a service member/veteran who died from a service-connected cause is also eligible

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**Delaware Joining Forces (DJF):** State network providing referrals to behavioral health and wellness services for veterans. Partners include Delaware National Guard and Delaware DHSS. Contact: 302-326-7582 or 302-257-3120.

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

**Unavailable as a distinct state program.** Delaware does not operate a state dental or vision benefit specifically for veterans. Veterans access dental/vision care through: - Federal VA dental care (generally available at 100% P&T or service-connected dental condition) - VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) — discounted private dental insurance for VA-enrolled veterans - CHAMPVA (for qualifying dependents of P&T veterans) - TRICARE (for active/reserve component)
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify with Delaware OVS (302-739-2792) for any newly-enacted programs.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

**Delaware Veterans Home** (§ 45) provides the state-funded LTC option. No separate Delaware state Aid and Attendance supplement beyond the federal VA A&A pension was found. The Veterans Trust Fund (§ 41) may cover some care-adjacent emergency expenses but is not an LTC supplement.

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

**Veterans Law Clinic (Widener University Delaware Law):** Free legal assistance to eligible Delaware veterans for VA compensation/pension appeals, discharge upgrades, expungements, wills/estate planning, and other legal matters. Limited representation for low-income and disabled veterans. delawarelaw.widener.edu/clinics/veterans-law-clinic/.

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

Not available in this jurisdiction.

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

**Free death certificate:** A **relative of a veteran** is entitled to one free certified copy of a death certificate, provided it is essential to the settlement of a claim involving the settlement of the veteran's affairs. Authority: 16 Del. C. § 3132.
Verify locally: Call 302-739-2792 to confirm records are on file.

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**Delaware Bets on Vets:** State employment transition program connecting veterans to 1,500+ Delaware state employment openings, with career counselor support. Administered through Delaware Department of Labor. labor.delaware.gov/divisions/employment-training/veterans-services/.

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

**School tax credit inheritance:** An unremarried surviving spouse may **maintain the Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit** (100% of non-vocational school district taxes) if they: - Remain a titled owner of the property, AND - Continue to occupy the home as their primary residence, AND - Do not remarry
Verify locally: Contact the county Assessment Office to confirm continuation after the veteran's death.

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

**Unavailable as a direct surviving-spouse education benefit.** However: - Surviving children (ages 16–24) of service members who died on active duty or from service-connected causes are eligible for up to 4 years free college (§ 30). - Surviving spouses may qualify for federal DEA (Chapter 35) and Fry Scholarship through VA. - Surviving children of a National Guard member killed on state duty receive 4-year college tuition through the line-of-duty death benefit (§ 30).

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

**DIC exemption:** Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is fully exempt from Delaware state income tax.

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

**Two Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemeteries:** - New Castle County: 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear DE 19701; 302-834-8046 - Sussex County: 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro DE 19966; 302-934-5653

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

**Unavailable as a Delaware state program.** No Delaware state burial allowance or plot purchase assistance beyond free interment at the two state cemeteries (§ 56) was found. Veterans may also be interred at the federal Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery (a separate facility from the two state cemeteries) — contact VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 800-535-1117.

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

**State cemeteries provide headstone/marker and perpetual care** at no cost as part of the interment benefit (§ 56).