How to Access VA Dependent Education Benefits with a 100% Disability Rating

The dreams of her spouse or children to pursue higher education may be dashed by the death of a veteran.

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program was established by the Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) to shield survivors of a veteran from having to leave school.

The VA DEA, also known as Chapter 35, seeks to assist survivors of missing, captured, or handicapped soldiers in pursuing further education, training, or employment.

Benefits are granted to children or spouses of a deceased soldier who has received a 100% disability rate and who are between the ages of 18 and 26. Up to 36 months of full-time or comparable benefits are offered by the program.

If you qualify for the DEA, how much do you get?

If you are participating in a non-college degree program or if your educational program requires the equivalent of one full-time day of study at a higher education institution, the VA will pay you support of $1,488 per month.

You will get $1,176 a month if you study for just three-quarters of a full-time schedule. In the event that you only study half of the month, the VA will pay you $862.

For each complete month of enrollment between months one and six, you will get $946 if you are enrolled in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program.

Veteran Homebuyers: Your VA home loan funding fee may be waived if you’re eligible for service-related disability benefits, including those newly eligible through the PACT Act.

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During months seven through twelve, you will be paid $710. It will be $466 from months 13 to 18, and starting in month 19, the VA will deposit $237 on a monthly basis.

How do you find out if you qualify for Chapter 35 benefits?

There are various ways to get in contact with the DEA, such as if:

The veteran or service member is rendered completely and permanently disabled as a result of a service-connected disability
The veteran or service member died while performing their duties
The veteran or service member went missing in action or was captured by an enemy force while performing their duties
The veteran or service member was imprisoned or forced to leave their home country for more than ninety days
Due to a permanent and total impairment related to their service, the service member is receiving treatment in a hospital or outpatient facility and will probably be released from the facility.

A candidate must fulfill one of the following two requirements: