Documents Needed for Delaware Medicare Savings Program Application

Missing one piece of paper can stall a Medicare Savings Program application for weeks. Delaware DSS caseworkers need specific documents to verify your identity, income, Medicare status, and residency before they can approve QMB, SLMB, or QI coverage. Here are the core verification documents to gather before you start.

The Core Document Checklist

Proof of identity — one of the following:

• Delaware driver's license or state ID card
• U.S. passport or passport card

If you do not have one of these, ask DSS what alternate proof it accepts.

Proof of Medicare entitlement:

• Copy of your Medicare card (the red, white, and blue card showing Part A and Part B)
• If you do not have the card yet, an SSA Award Letter confirming Part A entitlement works

Proof of Delaware residency:

• State driver's license with a Delaware address
• Current utility bill (electric, gas, water, phone)
• Lease or mortgage statement
• A signed resident statement from someone you live with, if none of the above is available

Proof of income — documents for each income source:

• Most recent Social Security award or benefit verification letter
• Monthly pension statements (Civil Service, military, private)
• Pay stubs covering the last 30 days if you or your spouse have earned income
• VA benefit letters for any veteran's pension or disability payments

If You Are Applying for Someone Else

Adult children or other family members helping a parent apply must also submit:

• Delaware DHSS Authorized Representative Designation Form (Form DSS-A1 or DMMA Auth Rep Form) — this allows the caseworker to discuss the case with you and send notices to your address
• An SSA-1696 Appointed Representative form or a financial Power of Attorney document is also accepted, but must be filed with DSS separately

Without an authorized representative form on file, DSS cannot legally share case details with you, even if you are the person who submitted the application.

How to Upload Documents Through ASSIST

The Delaware ASSIST portal at assist.dhss.delaware.gov accepts document uploads directly. After submitting the online application:

1. Log back into your ASSIST account
2. Navigate to the document upload section
3. Upload scanned copies or clear photos using the file types allowed by the portal
4. Label each upload so the caseworker can match it to the right verification category

If the upload tool gives you trouble, Delaware accepts documents by mail, secure fax, or in-person drop-off as well. Call the DSS Customer Relations line at 1-866-843-7212 to confirm where to send them.

What Happens If You Are Missing Something

DSS will send a letter listing exactly which documents are still needed and giving you a deadline to submit them. Do not let this letter sit — a missing verification is the most common reason applications get delayed past the standard 45-day processing window.

If you cannot locate a document (an old pension statement, a misplaced Medicare card), contact the issuing agency to ask for a replacement. Medicare cards can be reprinted through your Medicare.gov account or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

One Thing You Do Not Need

You do not need bank statements, investment account records, or proof of property ownership to establish MSP asset eligibility. Delaware has completely eliminated the asset test for QMB, SLMB, and QI. The ASSIST portal may ask resource questions because it screens for multiple programs simultaneously; respond if DSS requests information for another program, while knowing caseworkers disregard assets when evaluating MSP eligibility.

For a full walkthrough of the application process — what to prepare, what to expect from DSS, and how to track your case — see our Delaware Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help & DPAP Guide.

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