Delaware State Benefits

Rating Based State Benefits

HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FISHING LICENSE 

Any member of the Armed Forces while stationed within the State shall be deemed a resident of the State for the purpose of obtaining a license. Veterans with a disability rating of 60% or more by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may obtain a no-fee license. 

PENSION BENEFITS FOR PARAPLEGIC VETERANS 

A paraplegic veteran eligible for benefits shall receive a pension from the State of $3000 per year payable in equal monthly installments. The veteran must file evidence with the Pension Office that he/she is a paraplegic and fully disabled; and the disability is a direct result of service in the armed forces of the United States during a period of war. 

 

VETERANS OPPORTUNITY CREDIT 

Employers are eligible during the year qualified veteran is hired and for two taxable years thereafter a tax credit of 10 percent of a qualified veteran’s wages, up to a maximum of $1,500. Employers may take the credit the year a veteran is hired and the two subsequent tax years. A qualified veteran is anyone who has served in a hostile environment such as Iraq and Afghanistan. 

DELAWARE VETERANS’ EDUCATION BENEFITS 

The State of Delaware provides educational benefits for the children of deceased veterans of the military services of the United States, military service personnel held prisoner of war and military service personnel officially declared to be missing in action. In order to qualify for this entitlement, an applicant shall be: the child of a member of the armed forces who was killed while on active duty or who died from disease, wounds, injuries or disabilities arising or resulting from performance of duty; a member of the armed forces who is being held, or who was held prisoner of war; or a member of the armed forces officially declared missing in action; a person who at the time of application for benefits is at least 16 years of age, but not more than 24 years of age, and a resident of the State for at least three years prior to the date of application; attending or admitted for attendance at an educational institution beyond the high school level in a program not to exceed four years in duration. Benefits are administered by the Delaware Postsecondary Education Commission. 

EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE DELAWARE NATIONAL GUARD 

Any active member of a federally recognized unit of the Delaware National Guard, who meets the requirements for satisfactory membership as defined by the Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, shall be eligible for funding support by the Delaware National Guard for certain post-secondary education tuition and fees. 

SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES 

Special License Plates are available through DMV for: Former Prisoners Of War, Formerly Missing-In-Action, Purple Heart Recipients, Medals of Valor Recipients, Disabled Veterans, Delaware National Guard & Reserve Members, Retired Military, Korean War Veterans, Vietnam War Veterans, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Gold Star Lapel Button. 

DISABLED VETERANS SCHOOL TAX CREDIT – NEW IN 2021-2022 

Apply for the Disabled Veterans School Tax credit by April 30th each year. Learn more about the tax credit and who is eligible on the Delaware Department of Finance’s website. 

DISABLED VETERAN COMBINED SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE 

A motor vehicle owned by a disabled veteran who is eligible for ‘adaptive equipment’ benefits (which includes, but is not limited to power steering, power brakes, power window lifts, power seats, and special equipment necessary to assist the eligible person into and out of the automobile or other conveyance) shall be exempt from the payment of registration fees (limited to one automobile per eligible veteran at any one time). 

STATE PARK ADMISSION 

Any veteran who honorably served or is honorably serving, including members of the Delaware National Guard, resides in the State of Delaware and owns a motor vehicle registered in Delaware shall receive a 50% discount on the annual fee for vehicle entrance to state parks and recreational areas. 

HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FISHING LICENSE 

Any member of the Armed Forces while stationed within the State shall be deemed a resident of the State for the purpose of obtaining a license. Veterans with a disability rating of 60 percent or more by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may obtain a no-fee license. 

STATE EMPLOYMENT 

Veterans’ preference shall be provided to earned ratings with ten points granted to disabled veterans and five points granted to all other eligible veterans. Any preference points for which a veteran would qualify may be claimed by his or her unmarried widow, widower, spouse of a member of the armed forces who is POW or MIA, or spouse of a veteran who is totally disabled. 

LICENSE AND PERMITS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES 

Professional Regulations will issue a six-month temporary occupational license, when required, to a military spouse relocating in Delaware. The temporary license will allow for the spouse to obtain employment in their discipline, pending application for endorsement or reciprocity. 

DELAWARE VETERANS HOME 

The home is a 150-bed long-term care facility offering skilled nursing services and a special needs unit to serve those who may suffer from forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The Delaware Veterans Home is located at 100 Delaware Veterans Blvd, Milford, Delaware. 

DELAWARE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY 

Veterans, their spouse, or dependent children are eligible for interment at either of two State Veterans Cemeteries. The cemeteries are located in Bear, and Millsboro Delaware. 

NOTARY SERVICE FOR VETERANS 

The Office of Veteran’s Services provides no fee notary service for veterans, dependents and their families. 

COPY OF DEATH CERTIFICATE 

The State Registrar shall furnish a certified copy of a veteran’s death certificate for no fee to the next of kin acting on behalf of the veteran for settlement of the veteran’s affairs.