You can apply for Delaware Medicaid three ways: online, in person, or by phone. This guide covers each channel, the documents to gather first, the 2026 income and asset limits, and what to expect after you submit your application.

In This Guide

Three Ways to Apply for Delaware Medicaid

All three channels feed the same DMMA eligibility process. Gathering your documents before you start is the single most effective way to prevent delays.

1
Step 1

Apply online through ASSIST

The ASSIST portal at assist.dhss.delaware.gov is Delaware's primary self-service tool for public benefits, including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and cash assistance. Create an account to save your progress, track your application, and upload supporting documents. You can also apply without creating an account. For seniors applying for long-term care coverage, ASSIST walks through the financial and medical sections of the application in sequence. If your situation is complex (a spouse remaining at home, recent asset transfers, or income above the cap), consider supplementing the online application with a phone call or an in-person visit.

2
Step 2

Apply in person at DMMA or the ADRC

DMMA service centers and the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) both accept in-person applications. ADRC staff specialize in helping older adults and people with disabilities navigate long-term services and supports, including Medicaid. This channel works well for applicants who want face-to-face guidance, who have complicated documentation, or whose income requires a Miller Trust. To find your local ADRC office, visit the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center. To locate a DMMA service center, visit dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma.

3
Step 3

Apply by phone or get help

You can also apply by phone or ask questions through DMMA using the contact number published on the DMMA website, or by reaching the ADRC. A representative can explain the eligibility rules, help you understand whether a Miller Trust is needed, and walk you through the documents to submit. Because Brevy does not publish phone numbers we cannot verify against a live state source, confirm the current number on the DMMA page before you call.

What Documents Do You Need to Apply for Delaware Medicaid?

Gather these before you apply. Missing paperwork is the most common reason an application stalls.

  • Identity and citizenship: a driver's license or state ID plus proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status.
  • Social Security number for each person applying.
  • Proof of income: Social Security award letters, pension or retirement statements, and recent pay stubs if applicable.
  • Bank and asset statements: checking, savings, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, stocks, and bonds. The 2026 asset limit for a single long-term care applicant is $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for a couple when both apply).
  • Insurance information: Medicare card and any other health insurance details.
  • Medical records: for long-term care, documentation supporting the level-of-care assessment.
  • Miller Trust documents (if applicable): if your gross monthly income exceeds $2,485 in 2026, you must establish a Qualified Income Trust (also called a Miller Trust) before Medicaid will approve long-term care coverage. An elder law attorney can assist with setup.

For long-term care Medicaid applicants, also prepare a five-year financial history. Delaware applies a 60-month look-back to uncompensated asset transfers.

Income and Asset Limits for Long-Term Care

Delaware is an income-cap state. For 2026, the long-term care Medicaid income limit is $2,485 per month for a single applicant, set at 250% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rate of $994. Delaware uses the 250% standard, not the 300% figure most income-cap states apply, so the threshold is lower than many out-of-state guides report.

If your gross monthly income exceeds $2,485, you are not automatically disqualified. Instead, you must establish a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) that captures the excess income each month, which is then applied toward your cost of care.

On the asset side, a single applicant is limited to $2,000 in countable resources, and a married couple with both spouses applying is limited to $3,000. The home (subject to a 2026 federal equity limit of $752,000), one vehicle, household goods, and a prepaid burial are exempt.

If You Have a Spouse Staying at Home

When one spouse needs long-term care and the other remains in the community, federal spousal-impoverishment rules protect the at-home (community) spouse so they are not left without income or assets.

For 2026, the community spouse may keep half the couple's countable assets, up to a maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) of $162,660, with a minimum protected amount of $32,532. The community spouse may also keep monthly income up to a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance set in the federal range of $2,705.00 to $4,066.50 for 2026. These figures only apply to the institutionalized spouse's eligibility determination; the full mechanics are covered in our Delaware spousal impoverishment guide.

The Five-Year Look-Back and Transfer Penalties

Delaware applies a 60-month look-back to uncompensated asset transfers for long-term care applicants. Under federal law, transfers made for less than fair market value during the five years before applying trigger a penalty period during which Medicaid will not pay for long-term care.

The penalty is calculated by dividing the total amount transferred by the average monthly private-pay cost of nursing-facility care in the state; the result is the number of months Medicaid will not cover institutional care. Gifts to family, transfers of property below market value, and similar moves all count. If you made transfers in the past five years, review them with an elder law attorney before applying.

What Happens After You Apply

DMMA reviews your application and issues a financial eligibility determination. Long-term care applicants also receive a clinical level-of-care screening that determines whether the applicant needs a nursing-facility level of care. Both nursing-home Medicaid and the home and community-based Diamond State Health Plan-Plus (DSHP-Plus) waiver require this screening, which runs on a separate track from the financial review. Both the financial and clinical approvals must clear before long-term care Medicaid pays.

Federal rules give the state up to 45 calendar days to decide most applications, extended to 90 calendar days when a disability determination is required. Retroactive coverage is available for up to three months before the month you apply, if you would have been eligible during that period. For applications filed on or after January 1, 2027, federal law shortens that retroactive window.

Respond promptly to any request from DMMA. Delays in providing documentation extend processing time.

If Your Application Is Denied

A denial is not necessarily final. Read the notice carefully: it states the reason and the appeal deadline. Many denials are procedural rather than substantive and can be resolved by supplying what DMMA requested.

Under federal Medicaid rules, you have the right to appeal an adverse decision and request a state fair hearing. The state must allow you a reasonable time, not to exceed 90 days from the date the notice is mailed, to request that hearing. The denial notice specifies the deadline and the method to file, so check it for any shorter operational window the state sets. If the denial turned on income exceeding the cap, the path forward may be establishing a Miller Trust. Confirm any approach with DMMA or a qualified elder law professional before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Delaware Medicaid online?

Go to the ASSIST portal at assist.dhss.delaware.gov and start a Medicaid application. ASSIST handles Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits in one place. Create an account to save your progress and upload documents.

What is the income limit for Delaware long-term care Medicaid in 2026?

$2,485 per month for a single applicant, equal to 250% of the 2026 SSI Federal Benefit Rate of $994. Delaware is an income-cap state: if your gross monthly income exceeds this figure, you must establish a Miller Trust to redirect the excess before Medicaid will cover long-term care.

What is a Miller Trust and do I need one in Delaware?

A Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) is an irrevocable trust that holds income above the $2,485 per month cap. Because Delaware is an income-cap state, applicants whose gross income exceeds the cap must establish one to qualify for long-term care Medicaid. Each month, the excess income goes into the trust and is applied toward allowable expenses; the state receives any balance remaining at death. An elder law attorney can set one up.

How long does a Delaware Medicaid application take?

Federal rules give DMMA up to 45 calendar days to decide most applications, or up to 90 calendar days when a disability determination is needed. The most common cause of delay is missing documents, so respond promptly to any request from DMMA.

Can the community spouse keep any assets if I apply for long-term care?

Yes. For 2026, the at-home spouse may keep half the couple's countable assets up to a maximum of $162,660, with a minimum of $32,532, plus monthly income up to a maintenance allowance in the federal range of $2,705.00 to $4,066.50. See our Delaware spousal impoverishment guide for the full rules.

Can someone apply for Delaware Medicaid on my behalf?

Yes. A family member, authorized representative, or person with power of attorney can apply on your behalf through ASSIST, in person, or by phone. Confirm any representative paperwork requirements with DMMA.

Your next step Apply for Delaware Medicaid online through ASSIST, or reach the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center for in-person help.

Learn More

MedicaidHow to Apply for Medicaid by State: Steps, Documents, and Where to ApplyApplying for Medicaid follows the same federal steps everywhere; the agency and portal are your state's. What to gather, how long it takes, and where to apply. MedicaidDelaware Medicaid: A Guide for Seniors and FamiliesDelaware Medicaid 2026 for seniors: $2,000 asset limit, $2,485/month income cap, Miller Trust rule, spousal protections, and how to apply through DMMA. MedicaidDelaware Medicaid Eligibility and Income LimitsDelaware Medicaid income limits split in two: $2,485/month for long-term care, 138% FPL (about $1,835) for adults under 65. See both tests and the asset rules. MedicaidDelaware Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment RulesDelaware Medicaid spousal impoverishment rules for 2026: the CSRA up to $162,660, the MMMNA up to $4,066.50/month, the home exemption, and income diversion. MedicaidDelaware Medicaid Estate RecoveryDelaware Medicaid estate recovery can reach a home after death, but spouses, children, and caregivers are protected. Here is what the probate-only rule means.

Find personalized help applying for Delaware Medicaid at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.