Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance

Eligibility

You may be eligible for DEA benefits if you are the spouse or child of a veteran or servicemember who falls into one of four categories. If one of these categories fits you, VAJoe.com can help you find schools where you can use DEA benefits.

Category 1		Category 2
A veteran who passed away as a result of a service-connected disability. or A veteran who is permanently and 100% disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. JoeNote: In both cases, the disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.	A veteran who passed away from any cause while such a service-connected disability was in affect.

Category 1

Category 2

A veteran who passed away as a result of a service-connected disability.

A veteran who is permanently and 100% disabled as the result of a service-connected disability.

JoeNote: In both cases, the disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.

A veteran who passed away from any cause while such a service-connected disability was in affect.

Category 3		Category 4
A servicemember who is missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.		A servicemember who is forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.

Limits on Eligibility

DEA limits eligibility. See the limits for spouses and children in the tables below:

Spouses
You are eligible for benefits for 10 years from the date the VA establishes eligibility. If your spouse passed away while on active duty, you are eligible for benefits for 20 years from the date of your spouse’s passing.

Children
You must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In some cases, you may begin before age 18 and continue after age 26. If you are married, you still may be eligible. 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. The VA can extend your length of eligibility by the number of days you were on active duty. This extension usually cannot go past your 31st birthday.

Children

You must be between the ages of 18 and 26.

In some cases, you may begin before age 18 and continue after age 26.
If you are married, you still may be eligible.

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.
The VA can extend your length of eligibility by the number of days you were on active duty. This extension usually cannot go past your 31st birthday.