Benefit programs in Delaware (2026)
For families in Delaware we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of Delaware's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Delaware families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 1 Medicaid home and community-based services waiver that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. Delaware also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Senior School Property Tax Credit (Senior School Property Tax Relief). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. Delaware also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Delaware Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Delaware runs 1 Medicaid home & community-based services waiver, including "DE DDDS Lifespan Waiver (0009.R09.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Delaware Medicaid, or call 1-800-223-9074.
- DE DDDS Lifespan Waiver (0009.R09.00)
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Delaware?
Delaware has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Senior School Property Tax Credit (Senior School Property Tax Relief). Credit equal to 50% of school property taxes on the primary residence, capped at $500 maximum. Cap remains $500 for 2025 and 2026 (HB73, which would have raised it to $1,000 for TY2026, was defeated in the DE House on Aug 13, 2025). That figure is confirmed against Delaware's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). Delaware runs 6 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074 and ask which apply to you.
7 programs in Delaware. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Senior School Property Tax Credit (Senior School Property Tax Relief) GOV VERIFIED | Credit equal to 50% of school property taxes on the primary residence, capped at $500 maximum. Cap remains $500 for 2025 and 2026 (HB73, which would have raised it to $1,000 for TY2026, was defeated in the DE House on Aug 13, 2025). | Official source → |
| Disabled Veterans School Property Tax Credit GOV | Credit against 100% of non-vocational school district property tax on the primary residence. Requires 100% VA disability compensation for a service-connected permanent-and-total disability OR based on individual unemployability, and legal Delaware domicile for the preceding 3 years. Cannot be claimed together with the Senior School Property Tax Credit. | Official source → |
| New Castle County Senior Citizen (Over-65) Property Tax Exemption GOV | We could not confirm this program's amounts against its official page, so we do not restate them here. Use the official source link for current figures. | Official source → |
| New Castle County Disability Property Tax Exemption GOV | Property tax exemption reducing assessed value for disabled owner-occupants of a primary residence; exact dollar reduction not published on the county's public web page (verify via the county Disability Exemption application). NUMBER NOT VERIFIED on .gov. | Official source → |
| Sussex County Over-65 Real Property Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens GOV | Exemption applied to taxable assessment up to $229,000 of assessed value on the primary residence. Requires full-time Sussex County residency for the preceding 5 years. | Official source → |
| Sussex County Real Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Persons GOV | Exemption applied to taxable assessment up to $229,000 of assessed value on the primary residence. Requires 5-year Sussex County residency. | Official source → |
| Kent County Disabled Property Owner and Senior Citizen Exemption GOV | We could not confirm this program's amounts against its official page, so we do not restate them here. Use the official source link for current figures. | Official source → |
Senior School Property Tax Credit (Senior School Property Tax Relief) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Credit equal to 50% of school property taxes on the primary residence, capped at $500 maximum. Cap remains $500 for 2025 and 2026 (HB73, which would have raised it to $1,000 for TY2026, was defeated in the DE House on Aug 13, 2025).
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Veterans School Property Tax Credit GOV
- Benefit
Credit against 100% of non-vocational school district property tax on the primary residence. Requires 100% VA disability compensation for a service-connected permanent-and-total disability OR based on individual unemployability, and legal Delaware domicile for the preceding 3 years. Cannot be claimed together with the Senior School Property Tax Credit.
- Official source
- Official source →
New Castle County Senior Citizen (Over-65) Property Tax Exemption GOV
- Benefit
We could not confirm this program's amounts against its official page, so we do not restate them here. Use the official source link for current figures.
- Official source
- Official source →
New Castle County Disability Property Tax Exemption GOV
- Benefit
Property tax exemption reducing assessed value for disabled owner-occupants of a primary residence; exact dollar reduction not published on the county's public web page (verify via the county Disability Exemption application). NUMBER NOT VERIFIED on .gov.
- Official source
- Official source →
Sussex County Over-65 Real Property Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens GOV
- Benefit
Exemption applied to taxable assessment up to $229,000 of assessed value on the primary residence. Requires full-time Sussex County residency for the preceding 5 years.
- Official source
- Official source →
Sussex County Real Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Persons GOV
- Benefit
Exemption applied to taxable assessment up to $229,000 of assessed value on the primary residence. Requires 5-year Sussex County residency.
- Official source
- Official source →
Kent County Disabled Property Owner and Senior Citizen Exemption GOV
- Benefit
We could not confirm this program's amounts against its official page, so we do not restate them here. Use the official source link for current figures.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Delaware?
Up to $2,464 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Delaware's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $10,000 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Delaware.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Delaware the published heating maximum is $2,464. Crisis maximum: $10,000. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Delaware: Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits are not taxable in Delaware and are excluded from Delaware taxable income (per Delaware Division of Revenue).
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Delaware taxes pension, IRA, 401(k), Keogh, and government deferred-compensation (IRC §457) distributions as income, but grants an age-based exclusion of pension and eligible retirement income: up to $12,500 per person age 60 or older (or the actual amount of qualifying income, whichever is less), and up to $2,000 per person under age 60. 'Eligible retirement income' that can count toward the $12,500 includes interest, dividends, capital gains, net rental income from real property, and qualified retirement plan distributions (IRA/401(k)/Keogh) and §457 plans. The combined pension + eligible retirement income exclusion cannot exceed $12,500 per qualifying person 60+.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Delaware too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Delaware for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-223-9074. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Delaware. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 800-223-9074.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-800-223-9074Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.