Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance is available to the children and spouses of veterans who are rated permanently and totally disabled (P&T), or who died from a service-connected condition. If the veteran is rated 100 percent P&T, eligible dependents can generally apply for DEA benefits at any time after that rating is established — you do not need to wait until the dependent is enrolled in school or has a specific start date confirmed.
You can apply using VA Form 22-5490, Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits. This can be submitted online through VA.gov, by mail, or with help from a VA-approved education certifying official at the school the dependent plans to attend. It is common and perfectly acceptable to apply before the student actually starts classes, since processing takes time and you want the Certificate of Eligibility in hand before the term begins.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Eligibility for DEA generally runs from age 18 to 26, though there are provisions that can extend this window in some circumstances, such as delays caused by the parent's disability rating being granted later in life. The benefit itself can be used for degree programs, certificate programs, apprenticeships, and some other forms of training, and benefits can be used at the eligible dependent's discretion within the normal 45-month entitlement period (or fewer months depending on which program rules apply).
One important practical point: because the P&T rating is what establishes eligibility, VA will need to confirm that rating is on file when processing the 22-5490. If the P&T effective date is recent, it can help to have a copy of the rating decision available in case there are any delays in the file syncing between benefits systems.
There is no requirement to wait for a specific semester or acceptance deadline — applying as soon as the student has been accepted, or even before, is reasonable and often recommended so the Certificate of Eligibility is ready in time for financial aid and school certification deadlines.
As a next step, go to VA.gov, locate the Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) application, and submit VA Form 22-5490 now rather than waiting for the semester to start, so the Certificate of Eligibility is in hand before tuition and enrollment deadlines arrive.
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