Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), also known as Chapter 35, provides education and training benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected conditions, or who died from a service-connected cause, or who died while a disability evaluated as total and permanent was in existence. Eligible dependents include the veteran spouse, surviving spouse, and children between ages 18 and 26. The age limits for children can be extended in certain circumstances, such as when the child served on active duty. DEA benefits can be used for college degree programs, certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. The program pays a monthly education allowance directly to the student. The amount depends on the type of training and whether the student is full-time or part-time. DEA provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Surviving spouses generally have 10 years from the date of the veteran death to use the benefit, though this period can be extended under certain circumstances. DEA is a separate benefit from the Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Entitlement. If a veteran transferred their GI Bill benefits to dependents before death, the dependents may choose between DEA and the transferred GI Bill benefits based on which provides better coverage for their educational plans.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).