Delaware offers a variety of benefits to veterans who are residents of the state, in addition to benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans who live in Delaware are provided with state educational benefits, employment supports, tax exemptions, and more.
In addition to educational benefits provided by the VA, Delaware provides educational assistance to active members of the Delaware National Guard and the children of certain veterans.
Delaware offers some educational assistance to children of some qualifying veterans. To qualify, the child must be between the ages of 16 and 24 and have lived in Delaware for at least three years. The child's parent must be a veteran who:
Active members of the National Guard who serve at least six years are eligible for this benefit. The State of Delaware will pay tuition and fees for those eligible to attend a public or private college located in Delaware, up to the in-state resident rate for public institutions.
The Delaware Veterans Home in Milford provides skilled nursing and residential care for honorably discharged veterans who need skilled nursing or assistance with activities of daily living. To be eligible, you must have lived in Delaware for at least three years before applying. Delaware National Guardsmen and reservists who served 180 days on active duty and who are eligible for retirement pay at age 60 are also eligible.
Veterans who live in Delaware and are paralyzed in both legs as a result of military service during a period of war of hostilities are eligible for a cash payment of $3,000 per year. Visit the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs' website for more information.
Veterans who live in Delaware are given hiring preference for state jobs if they meet the job requirements. Disabled veterans are entitled to a higher preference rating. The following family members may use the preference in place of the veteran:
Delaware offers a state income tax exemption for veterans who are receiving a pension from a private employer, the state government, or the federal government. For information on the amount of the exemption, contact the Division of Revenue at (302) 739-5251.
Veterans who served on active duty for at least 180 days who received an honorable discharge or died under honorable conditions are eligible for burial in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. To be eligible, the veteran must have lived in Delaware at the time of death or for 10 years before entering military service.
Reservists and members of the National Guard are also eligible for interment if they were entitled to retirement pay or would have been entitled to retired at age 60 years of age. If they have served more than 20 years, they do not need to have lived in Delaware at the time of death or for 10 years before joining.
There no fees for burial for the veteran, reservist, or National Guard member, though family members may be charged a fee.
The VA provides additional burial and survivor benefits.
Delaware veterans are also eligible for benefits such as special license plates, free vehicle registration (for certain disable veterans only), free notary services, copies of their statement of service, a certificate of appreciation, the quarterly newspaper The Centurion, and a free death certificate. For more information about the veterans benefits available in Delaware, read the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs' guide on State Veterans Benefits.
Veterans are also eligible for federal educational benefits, unemployment help, VA health care and more.
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