Delaware channels most long-term-care Medicaid services through Diamond State Health Plan Plus, or DSHP-Plus — a mandatory managed-care program for older adults and people with physical disabilities. The Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) sets the state's 2026 figures at a $2,485 monthly income standard for an individual and a statewide transfer-penalty divisor of $13,378.33 per month.
The bigger recent development is on the legal-tools side: as of December 4, 2025, Delaware finally has a genuine statutory transfer-on-death deed. Its lifetime provisions are notably protective — the law says using the deed doesn't affect the owner's or beneficiary's public-assistance eligibility while the owner is still alive — but that protection during life doesn't erase the need to think through what happens to the property after death.
| If this is your situation | Start here |
|---|---|
| Care Needed NowA hospital discharge or facility decision is imminent, or home care has already started. | Delaware Medicaid Look-Back PeriodDelaware VA Aid & Attendance |
| Care Within 1-3 YearsA recent diagnosis or fall has made the timeline real even though care isn't needed today. | Delaware VA Aid & AttendanceDelaware Long-Term Care Planning |
| Planning AheadNo crisis yet — just the recognition that long-term care is a matter of when, not if. | Delaware Long-Term Care InsuranceDelaware Long-Term Care Planning |
| Veteran or surviving spouse of wartime serviceAdds a federal pension benefit on top of whatever the Situation and State rows point to. | Delaware VA Aid & Attendance |
| Owns significant home equityThe home is usually exempt during life but affects estate recovery and private-pay runway. | Delaware Transfer-on-Death DeedDelaware Medicaid Long-Term Care |
| Already has LTC insurance or a hybrid policyExisting coverage is usually the first dollar spent, with other pillars becoming supplemental afterward. | Delaware Long-Term Care InsuranceDelaware Medicaid Long-Term Care |
Every pillar below has its own dedicated Delaware page with the current rules, dollar figures, and what to do next.
How DMMA delivers nursing-facility and community long-term services through Delaware Medicaid and DSHP-Plus.
Financial EligibilityDelaware's 2026 resource, income, home-equity, and community-spouse standards for long-term care.
Look-Back & PenaltiesDelaware applies a 60-month transfer review and a 2026 penalty divisor of $13,378.33 per month.
Asset Protection ToolDelaware's new statutory TOD deed is revocable and preserves public-assistance eligibility during life, but it is not a substitute for recovery analysis.
Estate RecoveryDelaware defines the recoverable estate by reference to its probate law and publishes specific recovery exceptions and hardship-waiver standards.
Nursing Home CoverageDelaware's Nursing Facility Program requires medical and financial eligibility, with a $75 monthly personal-needs allowance.
Home & Community CareDSHP-Plus is Delaware's mandatory managed long-term-services program for older adults and people with physical disabilities, alongside the DDDS Lifespan Waiver.
Planning AheadDelaware planning combines a 250%-of-SSI income cap, Miller Trust option, five-year transfer review, probate recovery, and a family-support statute.
VA BenefitsFederal Aid and Attendance can sit beside Delaware Medicaid; the state has one 144-bed Veterans Home and a disabled-veterans school-tax credit.
LTC InsuranceThe Delaware Department of Insurance regulates LTC insurance, and its current published carrier list includes Partnership plans for sale.
Participates in the State Long-Term Care Partnership Program.
Rules and figures change. Confirm current details with the agency before you act.
A policy in place before care is needed can change every one of these pillars in your favor. Get a free, no-obligation quote.
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