Delaware Prescription Assistance Program (DPAP)
The Delaware Prescription Assistance Program helps older residents and people with disabilities who cannot afford the full cost of their medicines.
DPAP pays up to $3,000 a year per person toward prescription drugs and Medicare Part D premiums. You must live in Delaware and be 65 or older, or under 65 and receiving Social Security Disability. Your income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or your prescription costs must exceed 40% of your income.
What DPAP Pays
Each eligible person gets up to $3,000 a year toward medically necessary prescription drugs and Medicare Part D premiums. The limit is per person, so two spouses who both qualify each have their own $3,000.
You pay a copay at the pharmacy of 25% of the cost of the prescription, with a minimum of $5. The pharmacy bills the program for the rest.
The program does not pay for diabetic supplies for people on Medicare, because Medicare Part B already covers those.
What the Copay Looks Like
These prices are made up to show how the rule works.
| Price of the prescription | 25% of the price | You pay | DPAP pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| $12 | $3 | $5 (the minimum) | $7 |
| $40 | $10 | $10 | $30 |
| $200 | $50 | $50 | $150 |
Since the program pays about three quarters of each prescription, the $3,000 yearly limit stretches across roughly $4,000 of medicines at pharmacy prices. It covers less than that if part of your $3,000 goes toward Part D premiums.
Who Qualifies
You must be a Delaware resident and meet one condition from each of the two groups below.
Age or disability
- You are 65 or older, or
- You are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability benefits.
Income or drug costs
- Your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or
- Your prescription costs are more than 40% of your annual income.
Delaware states the income limit as a percentage. At the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, 200% is $31,920 a year for one person and $43,280 for two. That is our calculation, so confirm the figure when you call.
The second route matters for people with higher incomes and very expensive medicines. As an illustration, someone with income of $40,000 would qualify on drug costs if their prescriptions came to more than $16,000 a year.
Who Cannot Get DPAP
- People whose prescriptions are covered by full Medicaid benefits.
- People whose prescriptions are covered by a health insurance plan other than a Medicare Part D plan.
The 90-Day Rule if You Have Medicare
If you are eligible for Medicare, you must show proof that you are enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan within 90 days of the date your DPAP benefits begin. If you are eligible for Social Security's Extra Help program, you must show that you are enrolled in that as well, within the same 90 days.
In practice that means DPAP works as a top-up. Part D and Extra Help pay first, and DPAP helps with what is left.
How to Apply
You do not need to go to an office. Call 1-844-245-9580 and press 0, or stay on the line, to ask for an application or for help filling one in. You can also print the application from the program page.
- Sign and date the application.
- Include proof of income, and proof of Social Security Disability benefits if that is how you qualify.
- Mail it to the address printed on the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Delaware Prescription Assistance Program pay?
Up to $3,000 a year per eligible person toward medically necessary prescription drugs and Medicare Part D premiums.
What is the DPAP copay?
You pay 25% of the cost of each prescription, with a minimum of $5, at the pharmacy.
Who qualifies for DPAP?
Delaware residents who are 65 or older, or under 65 and receiving Social Security Disability, with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or prescription costs above 40% of their annual income.
Do I need Medicare Part D to get DPAP?
If you are eligible for Medicare, yes. You must show proof of enrollment in a Part D plan, and in Extra Help if you are eligible for it, within 90 days of the date your DPAP benefits begin.
How do I apply for DPAP?
Call 1-844-245-9580 and press 0 for an application or help with it, or print the form from the program page. Mail the signed application with proof of income to the address on the form.
Source: Delaware Health and Social Services, Delaware Prescription Assistance Program, checked October 11, 2026. The dollar figures for 200% of the poverty level are our own calculation from the 2026 federal guidelines. Confirm your eligibility with the program before you rely on this page. This site is not affiliated with the State of Delaware.