Delaware Veteran Benefits

Delaware does not have state or local sales taxes.

Delaware resident retired service members are eligible for a military retired pay income tax exclusion of $12,500 of their military retired pay.

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

Delaware does not tax Social Security benefits.

Delaware National Guard Service members can receive up to 100% tuition at state supported colleges and universities or the average of in-state tuition at a private college or university in Delaware.

Delaware will provide tuition and required fees for the Children of certain Veterans and service members who are current or former POWs or MIA. Students can receive tuition assistance for up to four years at a state supported college, or university.

Delaware will award a high school diploma to Veterans who did not graduate because they left school to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II (WW II), Korea or Vietnam.

Delaware state employees who were hired before July 1, 1976, can receive military service credit for up to five years, for active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Delaware Division of UI administers the UI program that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

Disabled Veterans who have a specially adapted vehicle to accommodate their disability which was purchased or modified with funds from the VA are eligible for an exemption of registration fees (limited to one automobile). Delaware Code 21-V-2164

Service members and their dependents who are reassigned to Delaware on either a temporary or permanent basis are eligible for a titling document fee waiver when they register their out of sate vehicle (including those coming from overseas) in Delaware.

Delaware will pay $200,000 in $40,000 annual installments to the beneficiary of a Delaware National Guard Service member who dies while serving on state active duty and will provide tuition assistance for four years for their surviving children to attend a university or college.

Paraplegic Veterans can receive a pension from the state, of $3,000 per year, payable in equal monthly installments. Who is eligible for the Delaware Pension Benefits for Paraplegic Veterans? To be eligible Veterans must meet the following requirements:

Honorably discharged Veterans do not need an occupational license to work as a book agent (door-to-door book sales) or auctioneer.

The Delaware Veterans Trust Fund helps Delaware Veterans in financial crisis. Assistance may be requested for essential needs such as:

Delaware grants a credit against 100% of the non-vocational school district property tax on a qualified Veteran's primary residence. The Veteran must have a 100% service-connected permanent and total disability rating (or 100% due to individual unemployability) from the VA and have held legal domicile in Delaware for the past three years. Applications are due April 30.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife will issue an exemption from hunting, trapping and fishing licenses for qualifying disabled Veterans.

Nonresident active duty service members stationed in Delaware and nonresident Delaware National Guard Service members are eligible to purchase recreational licenses at the resident price. Delaware Code 7-5-I-505

Delaware residents who served 90 or more days in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom are eligible for a one-time license exemption for the first 12 months following the date they are honorably discharged or removed from active status. Delaware Code 7-5-I-502

A service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who is a patient at a military hospital is eligible for a free license to hunt, trap and fish in Delaware.

The Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation offers 50% discount annual park passes to Delaware resident service members, Veterans and retired service members. Who is eligible for the Delaware Military Pass? Applicants must be a Delaware resident and meet one of the following requirements:

The Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation offers a free pass to Veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. This pass is available for the first 12 months following the date the Veteran was honorably discharged or released from active status.

Active duty service members stationed in Delaware, with a vehicle registration or driver's license from another state are eligible for an out-of-state Military Vehicle Pass for half the price of a civilian out-of-state vehicle pass.

Delaware State Merit Employees who areserving in the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves who are ordered to attend training or special duty training during scheduled work hours are eligible for paid military leave for 112.5 hours (based on a 37.5 hour work week) or 120 hours (based on a 40

Delaware professional licensing boards will consider military education, training, or experience (METE) when determining qualifications for a professional license.

Delaware offers Veterans' hiring preference to Veterans, disabled Veterans and certain spouses for state employment. Preference is given by awarding points that can be added to passing entrance exam scores. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for the position.

10 points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their Families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

The DVH is a 144-bed long-term care facility in Milford, Delaware that offers skilled nursing care to Delaware resident Veterans and their eligible family members.

The Delaware Veterans Treatment Court was established to divert Veterans from the traditional criminal justice system and provide them with the tools to lead a productive and law-abiding life. Veterans are referred by the Attorney General's Office or the Office of the Public Defender.

VA National Cemetery Administration does not maintain any cemeteries in Delaware, they do however have two state operated Veterans cemeteries. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Delaware offers a free Veteran indicator on state driver licenses and ID cards for resident Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) authorizes active duty service members and their dependents who are stationed or deployed outside of Delaware to renew their driver licenses through the mail. License renewals are valid for eight years

The Delaware Heroes on the Highway Program offers a CDL skills test waiver to service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.

Delaware offers 37 license plate designs to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members and family members for use on private passenger vehicles and trucks with a ¾ ton or smaller rated capacity.

Purple Heart recipients are eligible for the Delaware Purple Heart license plate. Applicants are charged a $10 administrative fee for this license plate. Who is eligible for the Delaware Purple Heart License Plates? Veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart are eligible.

Disabled Veterans are eligible for the Delaware Disabled American Veteran license plate. Applicants are charged a $10 administrative fee for this license plate.

Honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for the Delaware Honorably Discharged Military Veteran license plates. Applicants are charged a $15 administrative fee for this license plate.

Immediate family members of a service member who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and received the Gold Star Lapel Button are eligible for the Delaware Gold Star Family license plates. There is no fee for this license plate.

SSVF provides assistance to Veterans and their Families who have housing stability issues, or they are homeless. SSVF will provide case management, benefit application assistance, financial assistance (includes rental, security deposit and utility assistance) and access to benefit enrollment.

The Delaware Office of Veterans Services publishes a free quarterly newsletter, The Centurion that has information regarding current developments in benefits, legislative initiatives, community services and local events.

The Delaware Office of Veterans Services maintains copies of service records for Veterans. Veterans must have been a Delaware resident at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces or had a Delaware address at their time of discharge.

The next of kin of a Delaware Veteran can request one free certified death certificate from the State Registrar when used for a claim for benefits from the VA. Delaware Code 16-31-II-3132

Delaware notaries may not charge a fee to notarize documents for service members, wartime Veterans or their family members, when they are used to file a claim with the VA or for other benefits.

The Delaware Joining Forces (DJF) network provide solutions that improve the quality of life and welfare of the Delaware military community. This community-level effort directly supports service members, Veterans and their families by addressing critical issues and needs including:

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Delaware enter Delaware in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.