Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

CH 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance is generally paid to a spouse or dependent of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related injury or died as a result of service-related injury.

Those generally eligible are a dependent (child generally between ages 18 and 26, with some exceptions) or spouse of :

• A veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition; or who died in service; or who died of a service-connected disability; or who died while being evaluated as having a total and permanent service-connected disability
• A service person who is listed as a POW or MIA.
• A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected to permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability

Entitlement:  Generally provides up to 45 months of education benefits

Delimiting Date:  Generally-Child=8 years/Spouse=10 Years/Surviving Spouse=10 years

For additional information about CH 35, visit the Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA) website.