Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance 
Learn about the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance DEA program. If you re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities , you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program also called Chapter 35. Find out if you re eligible for this benefit. 

Am I eligible for education benefits through the DEA program? 
You may be able to get these benefits if both you and the Veteran or service member meet certain eligibility requirements. One of the descriptions below must be true. The Veteran or service member : Is permanently and totally disabled due to a service - connected disability , or Died while on active duty or as a result of a service - connected disability , or Is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force , or Was forcibly detained held or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity , or Is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service - connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability effective December 23 , 2006 

If you re the child of a Veteran or service member 
You can get benefits if you re between the ages of 18 and 26, except in certain cases. You may be married or unmarried. If you re over 18 years old and using DEA , you can t get Dependency and Indemnity Compensation DIC from us. Learn about DIC If you join the military , you can t use this benefit while on active duty. And if you want to use this benefit after you leave the service , you can t have a dishonorable discharge. Military service can extend your eligibility , but this increase doesn t usually go past your 31st birthday. 

If you re the spouse of a Veteran or service member 
Your benefits start on the date we conclude that you qualify or on the date of the Veteran s death, and last for 10 years. If we rated the Veteran as permanently and tot

user: Can you tell me more about educational assistance for survivors?

assistant: Yes, you can learn about the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance DEA program.

assistant: Are you the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities?

user: Yes, I'm the wife.

assistant: In that case you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program also called Chapter 35.

user: What if my husband had died on active duty? He barely made it.

assistant: Then your benefits would end 20 years from the date of death. You would be able to get DIC payments from us and to use DEA benefits. 

user: *doesn't make sense*

assistant: *doesn't make sense*

assistant: Can you tell me if I qualify for education benefits through DEA?

user: Yes, I think so. I should fulfill all the requirements.

assistant: In that case you may be able to get these benefits if both you and the Veteran or service member meet certain eligibility requirements.

assistant: Do you meet one of the requirements?

user: Yes, like I mentioned before.

assistant: Is the Veteran permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability?