Delaware Benefits Guide for Disabled Veterans 

Veterans who have lost the use of their limbs or sight due to service-connected disabilities may be eligible for grants and exemptions related to motor vehicle registration and adaptive equipment. This includes vehicle modifications like brakes, power steering, and seats to assist with mobility. 

Additionally, veterans with a 100% disability rating can obtain a Disabled Veteran Combined Special License Plate, which exempts the vehicle from the standard registration fee. This benefit is restricted to one vehicle per qualified veteran and typically requires the vehicle to be specially equipped or for the veteran to meet specific VA “adaptive equipment” eligibility criteria. 

How to Get a Disabled Veteran License Plate in Delaware

To get a Disabled Veteran license plate in Delaware, eligible veterans must apply through the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Applicants must provide a copy of their DD214 and a VA award letter confirming a 100% service-connected disability rating. Delaware offers a specialized “DAV-HP” plate that combines the Disabled American Veteran designation with the universal symbol for parking accommodations, allowing veterans to use designated disabled parking spaces without a separate placard. Veterans aged 85 or older can obtain this plate simply by providing proof of age. Get the application form here. 

Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit

The Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit provides a 100% credit against the school district property tax for a veteran’s primary residence. This benefit is specifically for veterans who have been Delaware residents for at least three years and possess a VA rating of 100% P&T or Individual Unemployability. Once the initial application is approved by the county, veterans do not need to re-apply annually unless they move to a new primary residence. Find out more. 

Do Veterans’ Children Get Educational Benefits?

Children of deceased veterans who reside in Delaware (for at least three years prior to applying) may receive the Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others if the veteran parent’s cause of death was service-related. This program covers full tuition and fees at any Delaware public college for students between the ages of 16 and 24. If the desired program is not offered at a public in-state institution, the benefit may be applied toward private or out-of-state colleges. 

Delaware Veterans’ Hiring Preference

Veterans applying for state merit positions in Delaware are entitled to hiring preference points added to their passing examination scores. General veterans receive a 5-point preference, while veterans with a service-connected disability may receive higher considerations. This preference also extends to the unremarried surviving spouses of deceased veterans and spouses of veterans with a total disability. To claim this preference, applicants must submit a DD214 and, if applicable, a VA letter documenting their disability status to the Department of Human Resources. Learn more. 

Veterans Opportunity Credit

The Veterans Opportunity Credit is a state tax incentive designed to encourage Delaware employers to hire veterans who served in overseas conflicts, including those who served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Qualified employers can claim a tax credit equal to 10% of the gross wages paid to a qualified veteran, up to a maximum of $1,500 per veteran. This credit is available for the year the veteran is hired and the subsequent two taxable years, provided the veteran remains in sustained employment for at least 185 days during the year. 

All honorably discharged veterans are eligible for a 50% discount on the annual Delaware Military Pass. In 2026, this pass is $25 (regularly $50). Veterans who receive certain forms of public assistance, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, may qualify for the Assistance Program Pass, which costs only $10 for the season. See all the fees and passes for Delaware state parks. 

Can Disabled Veterans Get a Free Fishing and Hunting License in Delaware?  

Yes, Delaware residents with a service-connected disability rating of 60% or higher are eligible for a free, lifetime veteran license exemption to hunt, trap, and fish within the state. To get this complimentary license, veterans must submit a one-time Veterans with Disabilities Exempt Application to the Division of Fish and Wildlife, accompanied by a VA award letter certifying their rating. While the license itself is free, hunters must still obtain a free License Exempt Number (LEN) each year and complete any required hunter safety or turkey education courses. 

Delaware provides medical services to its veteran community through a combination of state-run and federal facilities. The VA medical facilities in Delaware include: 

• Wilmington VA Medical Center: 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805 | Phone: 302-994-2511 
• Kent County Outpatient Clinic: 1198 S. Governors Avenue, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901 | Phone: 800-461-8262 
• Sussex County Outpatient Clinic: 15 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown, DE 19947 | Phone: 800-461-8262 

Long-term Care

The Delaware Veterans Home, located in Milford, is a long-term care facility offering skilled nursing care, memory support, and rehabilitative services. To be eligible for admission, a veteran must have been honorably discharged with at least 180 days of active service and have resided in Delaware for at least one year prior to applying. The Delaware Veterans Home does not bill veterans for prescription drugs if they have a disability rating of 70% or more. Find out more. 

The state maintains the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemeteries (with locations in Bear and Millsboro), providing burial space for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependent children. For qualified veterans, the state covers the cost of the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a government-provided headstone or marker, and perpetual care. Spouses and dependents may also be interred with the veteran for a standard fee, which includes the inscription of their details on the veteran’s headstone. 

Surviving spouses and dependents are eligible for survivor benefits, such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and a state pension exclusion of up to $12,500 if over the age of 60. An unremarried widow(er) can also maintain the Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit previously claimed by the deceased spouse, provided they remain a titled owner and continue to occupy the home as their primary residence. Learn more. 

In addition to Delaware’s specific benefits, disabled veterans also get a wide range of federal VA disability benefits, including: 

• Monthly tax-free compensation payments based on disability rating (calculate it here) 
• Medical care, including mental health services and counseling  
• Home loans and housing benefits  
• Vocational rehabilitation and employment services  
• Education benefits through the GI Bill  
• Survivor benefits  
• Federal hiring preference  

Eligibility for some of these benefits depends on the disability rating percentage. Use the links below to see what federal benefits Delaware veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. 

• 50% VA disability benefits
• 60% VA disability benefits
• 70% VA disability benefits
• 80% VA disability benefits
• 90% VA disability benefits

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

Veterans with a 100% disability rating receive the highest level of federal VA benefits, including: 

• Full monthly VA compensation
• Full VA healthcare coverage
• Dental care
• Adaptive equipment grants

See all federal benefits for a 100% disabled Delaware veteran → 

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

Spouses and family members of 100% disabled veterans may also be able to get several benefits:

• CHAMPVA healthcare  
• DIC eligibility  
• Education benefits  
• Continued property tax exemption  
• Access to Delaware state resources  

Veterans who served at contaminated military bases or who were exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, or other environmental hazards may qualify for additional VA benefits. Bases in or near Delaware with known toxic exposure issues include Dover Air Force Base and New Castle Air National Guard Base. If you served at a base in a different state, you can find yours using the Military Base Toxic Exposure Map. 

Getting through the VA disability claims process can be tricky, but there are local and national resources to help guide you. These resources include local veteran groups, state-supported VA services, and experienced disability attorneys. 

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Delaware – Free Guide

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to get VA disability compensation and benefits. And it’s yours free of charge. We also offer a free ebook for easy, immediate access.

Legal Resources 

• Delaware Office of Veterans Services (OVS): The central hub for state-level veteran advocacy and assistance, providing dedicated Veterans Service Officers (VSOs). 
• VA Wilmington Healthcare System: Can help Delaware veterans access resources and benefits at state and federal level. 
• Veterans Treatment Court: A specialized court program for veterans involved in the justice system who may benefit from rehabilitation and treatment rather than traditional prosecution.

Help from Experienced Lawyers

Our VA-accredited lawyers proudly represent Delaware veterans who were denied or underrated by the VA, with no upfront costs. Contact us for a free evaluation – even if we don’t take your case, we’ll point you in the right direction! 

Hill & Ponton has successfully assisted disabled veterans all over Delaware. Find out more about our legal services: 

• Dover VA Lawyers & Resources 
• Wilmington VA Disability Lawyers