Finding help in Delaware
Federal VA disability, healthcare, education, housing, and survivor benefits are the same in every state. What changes by state — and, more specifically, by county — is access to free, accredited representation. Most veterans in Delaware can work with a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) at no cost, or with a VSO recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- VA’s accredited representative lookup. The VA publishes the official directory of accredited attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives. You can filter by state when you search: VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search.
- County CVSOs. Many Delawarecounties staff a County Veterans Service Officer. CVSOs are funded by the county (or state) and may file federal and state veteran claims for free. They are not VBN and are not employees of the VA — they work for the veterans of their county.
- Your state’s department of veterans affairs. Search for “DelawareDepartment of Veterans Affairs” on the official state government website (.gov) for state-specific benefits, nursing-home admissions, tuition programs, and the current CVSO directory. VBN links to the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs; confirm URLs before submitting forms.
Start with your state veterans office
The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs is the authoritative source for state-level eligibility, application forms, and appeal procedures. Many Delaware counties also host a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO); state VA departments typically maintain a directory of CVSOs who can file state and federal claims at no cost. The current directory is available at vets.delaware.gov/contact.
Commonly cited Delaware benefits
These are benefits most frequently highlighted by Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility rules vary by program and change over time; each item links to the official source.
- Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit. Delaware offers a credit against school property tax on the primary residence for veterans rated 100% permanent and totally service-connected disabled. The state reimburses counties for the credit; surviving spouses may continue the credit under conditions. Source.
- Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Delaware operates state veterans memorial cemeteries in Bear and Millsboro, offering burial and committal services to eligible veterans and dependents at no cost beyond federal standards. Source.
- Military Retirement Pay Exemption. Delaware exempts a portion of federal military retirement pay from state income tax, with amounts expanded in recent legislative sessions. VA disability compensation is already federally tax-exempt; this affects retirement income only. Source.
- Veteran Designation on Delaware Driver License. Delaware driver licenses and state ID cards may include a "VETERAN" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the Delaware DMV. Source.
Federal claims still run through VA.gov
State benefits are administered by Delaware. Federal VA disability compensation, healthcare enrollment, GI Bill, VR&E, VA home loans, and survivor benefits are administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are the same in every state. VBN’s federal-side tools are linked below.
What this page is (and what it isn’t)
This page summarizes publicly published DE state veteran benefits with links to authoritative sources. It is not a legal guide and does not substitute for an accredited Veterans Service Officer. Filing deadlines, income thresholds, and rating thresholds change; treat this page as a starting point and confirm current rules with the state VA department before making filing decisions.