If you are the spouse or dependent child of a veteran enrolled in the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, you may be wondering how to qualify for the maximum monthly benefit. Here’s what you should know.
The DEA program, commonly known as Chapter 35, is intended to assist eligible survivors and dependents of veterans in continuing their higher education. Dependent children must be between the ages of 18 and 26, though there may be exceptions.
To be eligible for DEAbenefits, the veteran or service member must meet one of the following criteria:
Be permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition
Have died as a result of a service-connected condition
Be missing in action or captured for more than 90 days
Have been killed in service
How to receive the maximum $1,536 monthly DEA benefit
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) calculates your monthly DEA benefit based on two key factors:
The type of education or training program you’re enrolled in
The number of hours or course load you commit to
To receive the full $1,536 per month, you must be enrolled full-time in one of the following:
A degree program at a college or university
A non-degree program at a trade or vocational school
A special restorative training program (for eligible children)
Need help?
If you have any further questions, call the VA at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711), go online to the Ask VA platform, or visit a regional VA office in person.
