Chapter 35 VA Benefits Explained: What Veterans and Families Need to Know in 2025

Chapter 35 VA Benefits: If you’re the child, partner, or family member of a veteran, you may be able to get support from Chapter 35, also known as the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This benefit can be really helpful if your loved one was fully disabled from service or passed away while serving or because of something that happened during service.

Can Veterans With 10% VA Rating Get Extra Money for Spouse or Kids?

Children who qualify usually get these education benefits between ages 18 and 26. You can use it for up to 36 months. And if you’re a partner or widowed spouse of a veteran, you may get up to 10 years to use it from the time the VA says you’re eligible. If your partner died in service, you might get up to 20 years instead. Some people could even get more time by combining this with other GI Bill programs, depending on their case.

Education benefits

Both partenrs and kids can use Chapter 35 for:

• School costs at colleges or vocational schools
• On-the-job training and apprenticeships
• Certification, exams, and prep classes
• Correspondence courses and special classes (for kids)

One important thing is you don’t have to use the money only for college. You can use it for trade school, on-the-job training, and even apprenticeships. This makes it super useful for people who want different types of careers.

Monthly payment rates

These payments are based on your enrollment status and can be adjusted or prorated depending on attendance.Key rates are:

• Full-time (college/vocational): $1,536/month
• Three-quarters time: $1,214/month
• Half-time: $890/month
• Less than half but more than a quarter time: $890/month or less for tuition
• A quarter time: $384/month or less for tuition

For on-the-job training, the benefit starts at $975 a month for the first six months and then goes down after that. If you’re doing a course by mail, they’ll cover 55% of the cost per class.

Chapter 35 VA Benefits: How it Helps with School and Career Costs

With education and training getting more expensive every year, getting up to $1,536 every month if you’re a full-time student is a big help. Chapter 35 gives you that support while you learn new skills or go back to school. And if you already paid for some classes or training in the past year before applying, you may get that money back if you qualify.

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The great thing about this benefit is that it fits different goals. If you want to go to college, pick up a trade, or just get trained for a new job, this can help you take that next step. A lot of people don’t even know they can use it for things outside regular college, but you really can. Just make sure to apply early and keep checking your status with the VA.

How to apply?

1. Fill out VA Form 225490 (Dependents’ Application for DEA)
2. Bring proof of elegibility. like vet’s disability papers or death certificate, and proof of enrollment.
3. Apply online at VA.gov or by mail.
4. Check in every month via VA’s system (text, email, or Ask VA platform).

If you’re a child, adopted child, stepchild, or the partner of a veteran who was fully disabled or passed away because of service, this program might be your chance to build a strong future without worrying so much about money.

To find out more or to apply, you can visit VA.gov or call the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.