VA Education Benefits for Survivors and Dependents

Dependents' Educational Assistance

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Eligibility

You must be the son, daughter or spouse of:

1. A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces,

2. A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence,

3. A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force,

4. A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power,

5. A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.

How to Apply

You should make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, call the VA's Education Office at 888-442-4551 about the requirements. If your selected program is approved by the VA, obtain and complete a VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance. Send it to: Department of Veteran Affairs, P. O. Box 8888, Muskogee, OK, 74402-8888. If you are a son or daughter, under legal age, a parent or guardian must sign the application. Special Vocational Training is also available to persons eligible for DEA benefits. This type of program may be approved for an eligible person who is not in need of Special Restorative Training, but who requires such a program because of a mental or physical handicap. Contact the VA's Education Office at 888-442-4551 for more information.

VA Specialized and Restorative Training

Special Restorative Training is available to persons eligible for DEA benefits. The VA may prescribe special restorative training where needed to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability for the purpose of enabling an eligible person to pursue a program of education, special vocational program or other appropriate goal. Medical care and treatment or psychiatric treatments are not included. Special Vocational Training is also available to persons eligible for DEA benefits. This type of program may be approved for an eligible person who is not in need of Special Restorative Training, but who requires such a program because of a mental or physical handicap. Contact the VA's Education Office at 888-442-4551 for more information.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) and Montgomery GI Bill Refunds

If the service member contributed to either of these programs, the surviving spouse may be entitled to a death refund. To receive the refund, submit a letter, copy of your marriage license to the veteran, a copy of the veteran's death certificate or DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, for retiree deaths occurring within 120 days after retiring, to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Muskogee Regional Office, 125 South Main Street, Muskogee, OK 74401. Call them at 888-244-6711 for more information.