A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering VA Dependent Pay & Chapter 35 Benefits

A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering VA Dependent Pay & Chapter 35 Benefits


For veterans with a service-connected disability rating, understanding VA Dependent Pay and Chapter 35 VA benefits is essential. These programs provide financial support for dependents, especially for those seeking higher education. In this article, we’ll break down the eligibility criteria, benefits, and necessary steps to ensure your dependents receive the benefits they deserve.

VA Dependent Pay Eligibility

To qualify for VA Dependent Pay, a veteran must have a 30% disability rating or higher. This additional compensation is designed to support spouses and dependent children, with amounts varying based on the number of dependents and the veteran’s disability rating.

How VA Dependent Pay Works

By default, the VA will include standard amounts for:

  • A spouse (spousal pay included automatically upon approval)
  • Dependent children under 18
  • College-age children over 18 (who require additional certification)

Chapter 35: Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program

The Chapter 35 VA Benefits, formally known as the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program, provide educational assistance to dependents of veterans who are 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disabled.

Major Difference in Financial Support

For college-age dependents, the financial impact of switching from standard VA Dependent Pay to Chapter 35 benefits is significant:

  • Standard Dependent Pay: $324 per month
  • DEA Program: $1,400 per month while enrolled in school (excluding summer breaks)

This difference can make a substantial impact on educational expenses.

Steps to Apply for Chapter 35 Benefits

To ensure your dependents receive the benefits, follow these steps:

1. Certification of Enrollment

The student must certify their enrollment through the National Student Clearinghouse. This process notifies the VA that they are actively attending an approved educational institution.

2. Submit VA Form 22-5490

Once eligibility is confirmed, the student must complete and submit VA Form 22-5490 (Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance).

3. Contact VA Education Assistance

For any questions, call the VA Education Hotline at 1-888-442-4551.

Handling Back Pay and First-Semester Processing

If a veteran receives a 100% P&T rating while their dependent is already in college, the student may qualify for back pay. However, both back pay and first-semester payments are manually processed, requiring extra time—typically 30 to 45 days.

Important Note

  • Payments go directly to the student, not the veteran. While some families share bank accounts, veterans will not see these funds reflected in their own VA benefit statements.
  • Students must actively upload schedules and ensure their enrollment is certified each semester to continue receiving payments.

How Veterans Can Stay Involved in the Process

Since DEA benefits are legally between the VA and the dependent, it’s essential for parents to stay informed. To do so, veterans can file VA Form 21-0845 (Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party). This allows the veteran to:

  • Check on applications
  • Ensure required documents are submitted
  • Assist their dependent in managing the process

How to Upgrade from Dependent Pay to DEA Benefits

To transition from receiving $324 per month in standard dependent pay to $1,400 per month under DEA benefits, the veteran must obtain a 100% Permanent and Total disability rating. If you believe your condition warrants an increase, consider filing for a rating increase through the VA.

Final Thoughts

VA Dependent Pay and Chapter 35 benefits can significantly ease the financial burden of education for your family. Understanding the differences and taking the necessary steps to apply ensures your dependents receive the maximum support available.

More about VA Chapter 35 at: VA.GOV

For more details on maximizing VA benefits, visit VeteransBenefitsHub.com and explore our resources on disability claims, Nexus letters, and more.



Chapter 35 Future rates

Chapter 35 Future rates

Get the future rates for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) for October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. And learn about how we determine your rate.

Are you trying to find the current rates for DEA? Check the current rates instead

How we determine your rate

We base your monthly rate (or payment amount) on these 2 factors:

  • The type of education or training you’re getting, and
  • How many courses you’re taking—or how far along you are in your on-the-job training or apprenticeship program

You may get less than the full rate each month if any of these is true:

  • You’re enrolled in fewer courses than what we consider to be full time, or
  • Your clock hours per week are less than what we consider to be full time, or
  • You’re getting on-the-job training, or
  • You’re in an apprenticeship program

2023 to 2024 Chapter 35 benefits rates

Effective October 1, 2024

The DEA rates listed here are for October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. We’ll make the payments directly to you.

For institutions of higher learning

These monthly rates are for courses at colleges and universities.

The amounts listed here are for a full month of enrollment. We’ll pay you a percentage of the full month’s rate based on the number of days that you’re enrolled in the month. We call this a prorated payment. For example, if your school starts on the 20th, you would get a payment for 10 days of enrollment that month. Your payment would be 1/3 of the monthly rate.

We’ll pay you up to the rate listed here based on how many courses you’re taking:

  • Full-time enrollment: $1,536.00 for each full month
  • 3/4-time enrollment: $1,214.00 for each full month
  • 1/2-time enrollment: $890.00 for each full month

If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time, we’ll pay you up to the amount listed here for every month you’re enrolled—but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees:

  • Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $890.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
  • 1/4-time enrollment or less: $384.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)

If your tuition and fees are less than the monthly rate, we’ll send you a lump sum (1 payment) at the start of each term.

Example: If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time and more than 1/4 time, and you attend a 90-day term, you may get up to $2,670.00 for the term ($890.00 per month x 3). But if your tuition and fees are less than $2,670.00, then we’ll send you the amount of your tuition and fees at the start of the term instead.

Learn more about getting an undergraduate or graduate degree

For non-college degree programs

These monthly rates are for trade and vocational schools.

The amounts listed here are for a full month of enrollment. We’ll pay you a percentage of the full month’s rate based on the number of days that you’re enrolled in the month. We call this a prorated payment. For example, if your school starts on the 20th, you would get a payment for 10 days of enrollment that month. Your payment would be 1/3 of the monthly rate.

We’ll pay you up to the monthly rate listed here based on your scheduled clock hours:

  • Full-time enrollment: $1,536.00 for each full month
  • 3/4-time enrollment: $1,214.00 for each full month
  • 1/2-time enrollment: $890.00 for each full month

If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time, we’ll pay you up to the amount listed here for every month you’re enrolled—but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees:

  • Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $890.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
  • 1/4-time enrollment or less: $384.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)

If your tuition and fees are less than the monthly rate, we’ll send you a lump sum (1 payment) at the start of each term.

Example: If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time and more than 1/4 time, and you attend a 90-day program, you may get up to $2,670.00 ($890.00 per month x 3). But if your tuition and fees are less than $2,670.00, then we’ll send you the amount of your tuition and fees at the start of the program instead.

Learn more about non-college degree programs

For on-the-job training and apprenticeships

We’ll pay you up to this much each month based on how far along you are in your training:

  • Months 1 to 6: $975.00 for each full month
  • Months 7 to 12: $733.00 for each full month
  • Months 13 to 18: $481.00 for each full month
  • More than 19 months: $245.00 for each full month

Note: To get the full amount listed here, you must have worked at least 120 hours each month. As your payments go down, your entitlement charges also go down.

Learn more about on-the-job training and apprenticeships

For correspondence training

We’ll pay 55% of the established cost for the number of lessons you complete by mail, online, or in some other way. You’ll need to submit completed lessons to get these payments.

Note: Only spouses using Chapter 35 benefits can get correspondence training. Children aren’t eligible for this benefit.

Learn more about correspondence training

For special restorative training

If you’re attending special restorative training full time, we’ll pay you $1,536.00 each month.

If you’re eligible for accelerated charges, we’ll pay for any tuition costs and fees over $405.00 each month.

We may reduce 1 day of your entitlement for every monthly payment of $51.20. This is 1/30 of the full-time rate.

Note: Only children using Chapter 35 benefits can get special restorative training. Spouses aren’t eligible for this benefit.

How to contact us if you have questions

If you have questions about your rates, you can call us at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.

You can also ask us a question online through Ask VA.

Contact us through Ask VA



Career and Education Benefits for Veterans Family Members

Career and Education Benefits for Veterans Family Members

As the family member of a Veteran, you may be eligible for VA education benefits, including money for school or to help you cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Find out how to get and manage these benefits.

Get education and career benefits

  • Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

    If you’re the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, they may be able to transfer their education benefits to you. Find out if you can use transferred education benefits.

  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)

    If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for DEA. We’ll send you monthly payments to help cover the costs of education and training programs.

  • Fry Scholarship

    If you’re the child or surviving spouse of a service member or member of the Selected Reserve who died on or after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the Fry Scholarship. Benefits include money for tuition, housing, books, and supplies.

  • Yellow Ribbon Program

    If you’re a Fry Scholar or you’re using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, find out if you’re eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.

  • Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

    If you’re a Fry Scholar in a STEM field, find out if you can get added benefits through this scholarship.

  • Work-study program

    Find out how our work-study program can help you earn money while you’re enrolled in a college, vocational school, or professional training program.

  • Licensing and certification tests and prep courses

    Find out if you can get paid back for the costs of licensing and certification tests and preparatory courses (sometimes called “prep courses”).

  • National tests and prep courses

    Find out if you can get paid back for the costs of national tests and if you can get education benefit coverage for preparatory courses.

  • Educational and career counseling for family members

    Find out if you’re eligible for free educational and career counseling, resume support, and help finding a job or training program.

Additional benefits and services

Benefits for birth defects linked to Agent Orange

If you’re the child of a Veteran and you have spina bifida or certain other birth defects, find out if you can get job training and other VA benefits.

Career resources for military and Veteran spouses

If you’re the spouse or surviving spouse of a service member or Veteran, find out if you’re eligible for the Defense Department’s Spouse Education Career Opportunities (SECO) program. And learn about other resources to help you build your career or start a small business.

Helpful tools

GI Bill Comparison Tool

Compare GI Bill benefits at approved schools and employers.

Find a Yellow Ribbon school

Search for schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Manage your education and career benefits

More information and resources

Source: VA.GOV