State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Delaware

Delaware offers school property tax relief for qualifying disabled veterans and a partial military pension subtraction. Its veterans programs also include dependent education benefits, recreation discounts, a veterans home, and emergency financial assistance.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Delaware

Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs / Office of Veterans Services

The Office of Veterans Services supports veterans and their families within the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 302-739-2792

Free help with VA claims

State-accredited claims representatives work alongside veterans organization service officers. The OVS contact directory lists service-officer contacts.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

Open the Benefits Finder

Property tax relief

Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit

Who qualifies
Veterans with VA 100% disability compensation due to service-connected permanent and total disability based on individual unemployability or a 100% rating. Must have at least three consecutive years of Delaware legal domicile and own and occupy the home as a principal residence.
What you get
If the local school board authorizes the credit, it covers the qualifying non-vocational school property tax. Shared ownership can limit the credit to the veteran's share. Prior property taxes and penalties must be paid as required.
How to apply
File the prescribed application with the county receiver of taxes or treasurer by April 30 immediately before the tax year.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 14 Del. C. § 1917(d)

Sources (2)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Partly exempt

Military pension income subtraction

Who qualifies
Recipients of a qualifying U.S. military pension included in federal adjusted gross income. Current code also places a three-year Delaware domicile condition on people age 60 or older domiciled before 2027; confirm its 2026 application with Revenue.
What you get
For 2026, up to $12,500 of military pension income may be subtracted. At age 60 or older the $12,500 cap is shared with other eligible pension and retirement income.
How to apply
Claim the eligible subtraction when computing Delaware taxable income; confirm current-year instructions before filing.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 30 Del. C. § 1106(b)(3)

Sources (1)

Education and tuition

Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others

Who qualifies
Children ages 16 to 24 at application who have lived in Delaware for at least three years and are admitted to or attending postsecondary education. Military-parent eligibility includes service-related death, POW status, or MIA status, with the statutory parent-residency conditions.
What you get
Tuition and fees for up to four years, subject to a priority sequence: Delaware public institutions, Delaware private institutions when the program is unavailable publicly, then out-of-state institutions when unavailable in Delaware. Choosing outside the sequence reduces the award.
How to apply
Use the Delaware Higher Education Office scholarship page to complete the online application. Staff request supporting information.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 14 Del. C. §§ 3452-3455

Sources (2)

State jobs and hiring preference

State merit employment veterans preference

Who qualifies
Qualifying honorably separated veterans who meet the job requirements and successfully complete screening and ranking. The statute also covers qualifying long-service Guard and Reserve members.
What you get
Five additional points for qualifying veterans and ten for qualifying disabled veterans, for initial state appointment rather than promotion.
How to apply
Claim preference and provide proof of honorable discharge and, for disabled preference, disability as requested.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 29 Del. C. § 5935; Merit Rules 8.3 and 19

Sources (3)

Licenses, plates and parks

Disabled veteran hunting, trapping, and fishing exemption

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged U.S. armed forces veterans certified by VA with at least a 60% service-connected disability.
What you get
A no-charge license exemption to hunt, trap, and fish in Delaware.
How to apply
Submit a written VA statement certifying honorable discharge and service-connected disability to DNREC.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 7 Del. C. § 502(h)

Sources (1)

Half-price annual state park vehicle entrance pass

Who qualifies
Delaware residents who honorably served or are honorably serving in the U.S. armed forces, including Delaware National Guard members, and own a vehicle validly registered in Delaware. This branch covers those not qualifying for the separate recent-deployment free pass.
What you get
Pays half the regular resident annual vehicle entrance fee for the calendar year.
How to apply
Provide proof of military service, vehicle ownership, and Delaware registration when applying.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 7 Del. C. § 4701(a)(5)e.

Sources (1)

Emergency financial help

Delaware Veterans Trust Fund

Who qualifies
Delaware-resident veterans with at least a general discharge under honorable conditions, a documented emergency financial need, and a plan showing assistance will help them recover and remain self-sufficient.
What you get
May provide emergency assistance for qualifying needs, including medical or dental costs, housing support, home safety work, utilities, and retraining.
How to apply
Complete the Veterans Trust Fund application on the OVS page and provide the required supporting documents.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 29 Del. C. §§ 8804(a)(4), 8812(c)

Sources (3)

State veterans homes

Changes on the way

  • Takes effect January 1, 2027: The military-pension subtraction cap rises to $15,000 for 2027. Age-60 domicile conditions and coordination with other retirement subtractions still apply. People age 60 or older establishing Delaware domicile on or after January 1, 2027 must meet a five-year domicile condition.
    Sources (1)
  • Takes effect January 1, 2028: The military-pension subtraction cap rises to $20,000 for 2028. Age-60 domicile conditions and coordination with other retirement subtractions still apply.
    Sources (1)
  • Takes effect January 1, 2029: The military-pension subtraction cap rises to $25,000 for 2029 and later years. Age-60 domicile conditions and coordination with other retirement subtractions still apply.
    Sources (1)

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 3, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.