What is DEA? A Guide to Survivor & Dependent Education Benefits
Learn about the Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offering education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of disabled or deceased Veterans.
The Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program, also known as Chapter 35, provides vital education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice or are permanently and totally disabled due to service-related conditions. This program ensures that the families of our nation's heroes have access to educational opportunities to build their futures.
The DEA program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are:
- Permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition
- Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition
Benefits Provided
Eligible surviving dependents may be eligible for up to 36 months of education benefits for:
- Degree and certificate courses
- Apprenticeship programs
- On-the-job training
To be eligible for DEA benefits, you must be the child or spouse of a Veteran or Service member who meets one of the following criteria:
- A Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
- A Veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
- A Service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
- A Service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A Service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.
Important Information for Surviving Spouses
Surviving spouses lose eligibility if they:
- ⚠Remarry before age 57
- ⚠Are living with another person who has been recognized publicly as their spouse
Good News: They can regain eligibility if their remarriage ends by death or divorce, or if they cease living with the person.
Note: Dependent children do not lose eligibility if the surviving spouse remarries.
For Spouses of Veterans
The period of eligibility expires 10 years from either:
- The date they become eligible, OR
- The date of the Veteran's death
Note: VA may grant extensions to spouses.
For Children
Children generally must be between the ages of 18 and 26 to receive educational benefits.
Note: VA may grant extensions to children.
For Spouses of Service Members Who Died on Active Duty
The period of eligibility expires 20 years from the date of death.
Special Provision: Spouses of Service members who died during active duty whose 10-year eligibility period expired before December 10, 2004, have 20 years from the date of death to use educational benefits.
No Time Limits (New Provision)
If the event that qualifies a spouse or children for DEA benefits happened to the Veteran or Service member on or after August 1, 2023, OR the child:
- Turned 18 years old on or after August 1, 2023, OR
- Completed high school or secondary education on or after August 1, 2023
Then there are no age or time limits to use DEA benefits if eligible.
Benefits may be awarded for pursuit of a wide variety of educational and training programs:
Degree Programs
- Associate, bachelor, or graduate degrees at colleges and universities
- Independent study
- Cooperative training
- Study abroad programs
Vocational & Technical Training
- Certificate or diploma from business, technical, or vocational schools
- Apprenticeships
- On-the-job training programs
- Farm cooperative courses
Other Educational Opportunities
- Preparatory courses for tests required or used for admission to an institution of higher learning or graduate school
- Correspondence courses under certain conditions (available to spouses only)
- Secondary schooling for beneficiaries without high school degrees
- Tutorial assistance for those with a deficiency in a subject (if enrolled half time or more)
Dependents over age 14 with physical or mental disabilities that impair their ability to pursue an education may receive specialized vocational or restorative training.
Specialized Training Programs Include:
- Speech and voice correction
- Language retraining
- Lip reading
- Auditory training
- Braille reading and writing
- Similar specialized programs
Note: Certain disabled or surviving spouses are also eligible for these specialized training programs.
Key Takeaways
- DEA (Chapter 35) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to dependents of disabled or deceased Veterans
- Eligible dependents include children and spouses of Veterans who are permanently disabled or died from service-connected conditions
- Surviving spouses lose eligibility if they remarry before age 57 but can regain it if remarriage ends
- Dependent children do not lose eligibility if the surviving spouse remarries
- For qualifying events on/after August 1, 2023, there are no age or time limits to use benefits
- Benefits cover degree programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training
- Spouses generally have 10 years to use benefits; 20 years if Service member died on active duty
- Special vocational training available for dependents over 14 with disabilities that impair education
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