Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35)
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans
who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who
died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program
offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree
and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a
spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher
courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
What is DEA?
Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to
eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of
education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs,
apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a
correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved
under certain circumstances.
Who is Eligible?
You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
- 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 service-connected
disability was in existence.
- A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty
by a hostile force.
- A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty
by a foreign government or power.
- A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient
treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely
to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.
Period of Eligibility
If you are a son or daughter and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job
training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is
possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to
this benefit. If you are in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while
on active duty. To pursue training after military service, your discharge must not be
under dishonorable conditions. VA can extend your period of eligibility by the number
of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. This extension cannot
generally go beyond your 31st birthday, there are some exceptions.
If you are a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from
the date of death of the veteran. For surviving spouses (spouses of servicemembers who
died on active duty) benefits end 20 years from the date of death.
How do I Apply?
You can apply by completing VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents'
Educational Assistance, or you can apply online at
vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.
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