Delaware Medicaid & Elder Care
Delaware's senior Medicaid landscape emphasizes managed long-term care through DSHP-Plus, offering home and community-based services without waitlists, though Miller Trusts are essential for those exceeding income caps.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardDelaware Monthly Costs
Delaware assisted living costs are approximately 26% higher than the national median.
Waiver Programs
Long Term Care Community Services Program
Also called: Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) - LTCCS
This managed care program provides home and community-based long-term care services for eligible seniors in Delaware, offering an alternative to nursing facility care. It covers services in various settings like one's own home, adult day care, adult foster care, and assisted living facilities.
- check_circle Adult Day Care
- check_circle Meal Delivery
- check_circle Minor Home Modifications
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle In-Home Personal Care
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC)
- Administered by
- Delaware Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance (DMMA)
- Entitlement
- No waitlist
- Self-direction
- Option for personal care assistance outside residential facilities
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,485 | $4,970 |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NFLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Delaware's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program seeks reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased recipient's probate estate. Recovery is deferred if a surviving spouse or certain dependent children reside in the home, and exemptions exist for specific family circumstances.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts made within 60 months prior to application trigger penalties of ineligibility.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) if monthly income exceeds the cap.
- warning Joint Accounts: All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned, regardless of whose name is on the account.
- warning Retirement Accounts: IRAs and other retirement plans are generally countable assets for the Medicaid applicant.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $2,000.
Resource Contact
Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
How to Apply for Delaware Long-Term Care Medicaid
Determine Coverage Needs
Choose between Nursing Home Medicaid, Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS), or Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification of Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) through a Pre-Admission Screening (PAS).
Gather Records
Collect 60 months of financial statements and other necessary documentation.
Setup Miller Trust
Establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) if monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap.
Submit Application
Apply online through Delaware ASSIST or contact Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) or the Medicaid Central Intake Unit.
Attend Interviews
Participate in required interviews with a financial eligibility social worker and caseworker.
Receive Approval & Care
Await final determination of eligibility and activation of benefits.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments
- Proof of age/disability
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Delaware residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Medicaid
Does Delaware Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, Delaware Medicaid can help pay for assisted living services through the Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) program, part of the Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus). This managed care program covers various services within assisted living facilities, but it does not cover the costs of room and board.
What is the Delaware Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For long-term care Medicaid in 2026, a single senior applicant in Delaware must have a monthly income of no more than $2,485. Delaware is an income-cap state, meaning if income exceeds this limit, a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) must be established to achieve financial eligibility.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Delaware?
Delaware no longer utilizes traditional Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers with waitlists for its senior population. Instead, long-term care community services are delivered through the managed care Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) program, which operates without enrollment caps or waitlists.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Delaware?
Delaware's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) may seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased recipient's probate estate, which can include their home. However, recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or certain dependent children continue to reside in the home, and specific exemptions can apply.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Delaware Medicaid?
Yes, the Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) program, under the Diamond State Health Plan Plus, offers a self-direction option for personal care assistance. This allows eligible participants to choose and hire their own caregivers, which can include family members, provided they are living outside of a residential facility.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Delaware?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation, not ongoing long-term care in Delaware. In contrast, Delaware Medicaid, through programs like the Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) and the Nursing Facility Program, covers extensive long-term care services for eligible seniors who meet specific financial and functional criteria, including nursing home care and home-based support.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE DELAWARE
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.