FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE
Additional Benefits for Delaware Veterans
Delaware Veterans and their families may qualify for valuable state benefits that can reduce property taxes, lower higher-education costs, and make homeownership more affordable. Understanding the Delaware disabled Veteran benefits available to you—from school property tax relief to education assistance and state homebuyer programs—can help you make the most of the benefits you’ve earned through military service.
Tax Relief
Property Tax Benefits for Veterans in Delaware
- Qualifying 100% disabled Veterans can receive a credit against 100% of their non-vocational school district property taxes. Delaware's Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit is available to qualifying Veterans who receive VA compensation for a 100% service-connected disability or permanent and total disability based on individual unemployability and have maintained legal domicile in Delaware for at least three consecutive years. The credit applies to the Veteran's primary residence.
- The school property tax benefit can continue for certain surviving spouses. A qualifying surviving spouse may continue receiving the credit when statutory requirements are met, including remaining unmarried, retaining ownership of the qualifying property, and continuing to occupy it as a primary residence. Once approved, Veterans generally don't have to reapply each year unless they change their principal residence or circumstances affecting eligibility.
Family Tuition Assistance
Education Benefits for Delaware Veterans & Families
- Children of certain deceased, POW, or MIA service members can receive education assistance. Delaware provides educational benefits for qualifying children whose military parent died from a service-related cause, is or was held as a prisoner of war, or is officially declared missing in action. Applicants generally must be Delaware residents for at least three consecutive years before applying and be between 16 and 24 years old.
- The benefit can cover tuition and required fees for up to four years. Delaware prioritizes awards for tuition and required fees at a Delaware public college, followed by a Delaware private institution when the required program isn't offered publicly, and then an out-of-state institution when the program isn't available in Delaware. Awards can be prorated when students attend institutions outside that priority sequence.
Home Financing
Home Loan Benefits for Delaware Veterans
- Veterans have special access to Delaware's Welcome Home mortgage program. The Delaware State Housing Authority's Delaware Mortgage Program provides Welcome Home financing primarily for first-time buyers, but qualified Veterans are exempt from the first-time homebuyer requirement. That means an eligible Veteran may qualify even if they've previously owned a primary residence, subject to income, purchase-price, credit and other program requirements.
- Delaware offers multiple options for down-payment and closing-cost assistance. Through the Delaware Mortgage Program, qualifying borrowers can access assistance such as First State, providing a zero-interest second mortgage equal to 3% of the first mortgage amount, and Keys4You, providing 4%. Welcome Home borrowers may also have access to Take5, providing 5%, subject to current program requirements and availability.