Delaware Veteran Benefits

Delaware offers 12 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 2 tax programs, 2 education programs, 0 housing programs, 1 healthcare program, 2 recreation programs, and 1 employment program. 9 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 2 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

Delaware offers 2 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Disabled Veterans School District Property Tax Credit, Paraplegic Veteran State Pension. These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Delaware veterans also qualify for the 10 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 12 total.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 10 Delaware state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (9) plus benefits gated at 10-49% (0) plus 1 additional benefit gated at the 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% threshold. These typically include partial property tax credits, hunting/fishing license discounts, and tuition assistance. A 100% rating unlocks 2 additional benefits on top.

Yes. Delaware offers 2 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Exclusion: Up to $12,500 of military pension income excluded from Delaware state income tax, rising to $15,000 (2027), $20,000 (2028), and $25,000 (2029 and beyond) under SB 219. Estimated value: Up to $825/year in tax savings. Whether Delaware also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.

Delaware offers 2 state education benefits: Delaware National Guard Tuition Assistance; Free Tuition for Children of Deceased/POW/MIA Veterans. Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Delaware's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Special Veteran License Plates. ~40 specialty military and veteran license plate designs, including Former POW, Purple Heart, Gold Star Family, and Disabled Veteran plates. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — Delaware offers 2 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Delaware State Parks Military Pass (50% Off); Free Hunting, Trapping, and Fishing License (Disabled Veterans). Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Delaware residency.

Each Delaware state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of Delaware residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.

Yes. Delaware state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Delaware veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Delaware state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.

Yes. Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery Burial Benefits. Free burial at a Delaware state veterans cemetery for honorably discharged veterans. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Delaware residency; some sites accept any veteran meeting federal VA national cemetery criteria. This is in addition to (not a substitute for) burial at a federal VA National Cemetery.

Delaware benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 9 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 0 are gated at 10-40%. 1 are gated at 50-90%. 2 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 12 Delaware state benefits.