State file · DE
Veteran benefits in Delaware
Delaware charges no state or local sales tax and offers a pension exclusion on military retirement pay, along with Guard tuition coverage, park and license discounts, and a state veterans home in Milford.
Back to the state mapDelaware file
Financial benefits
No sales tax
Delaware does not impose a state or local sales tax, though it levies a gross receipts tax on sellers of goods and services.
Retirement pay exclusion
Veterans 60 and older can exclude up to $12,500 of pension income (or the amount of the pension, whichever is less) from state income tax; those under 60 can exclude $2,000. An additional $2,000 exclusion is available for people with a total and permanent disability, or those over 60, who meet earned income and adjusted gross income limits.
DIC and Social Security
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free benefit for eligible survivors, and Social Security benefits are exempt from Delaware income tax.
Gasoline tax
Delaware's gasoline tax is roughly 41.4 cents per gallon, including all state, local, and federal taxes.
Recreation
State park discount
Active duty and honorably discharged veterans with Delaware-registered vehicles receive a 50% discount on vehicle entrance fees at state parks.
Hunting & fishing licenses
Active duty members pay resident rates, and veterans with a 60% VA disability rating receive sports licenses for free.
Education programs
Delaware National Guard tuition assistance
Federally recognized Delaware National Guard members who meet membership requirements can receive up to 100% tuition at a state college or university.
Benefits for children of deceased veterans
Educational benefits are available to children of deceased veterans, POWs, and service members missing in action; benefits are limited to four years and cannot exceed annual tuition and fees.
High school diplomas for wartime veterans
Diplomas are available to veterans who left school for military service during World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 11, 1946), the Korean War (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955), or Vietnam (May 1, 1961 – April 30, 1975).
Interstate Compact for military children
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children removes barriers around enrollment, placement, scheduling, grading, and extracurricular participation.
Veteran housing
Delaware State Veterans Home at Milford
Provides nursing-home-level care for veterans with an honorable discharge, at least three years of Delaware residency, and at least 180 days of active duty; Reserve and Guard members become eligible at retirement age 60.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 points added to state employment examination scores; those with a service-connected disability receive 10 points.
Military leave for state employees
Merit employees called to duty receive leave for their tour plus 90 calendar days, along with roughly 112.5 to 120 hours of paid training leave annually.
Retirement credit and Guard pay
State employees hired before July 1, 1976 may receive credit for up to five years of active duty if hired within five years of discharge. Delaware National Guard members earn twice the federal per diem, pay, and allowances for emergency state duty and twice base pay for non-emergency state duty.
Burials & memorials
Veterans cemeteries in Delaware
Delaware maintains veterans memorial cemeteries in Bear (serving New Castle County) and Millsboro (serving Sussex County).
VA resources in Delaware
Wilmington Regional Office
The VA regional office serving Delaware for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteBefore you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
Delaware file open
Questions about what applies to you?
Programs are one thing — your situation is another. Tell us where you are and we'll help you get oriented, in plain language.