{"type":"dea_chapter_35","title":"Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA / Chapter 35)","short":"Education benefits for surviving spouses + children of veterans permanently disabled or deceased.","eligibility":["Spouse / child of veteran rated P&T (Permanent and Total) before death OR died of service-connected cause","Children: ages 18-26 (extensions possible)","Spouse: 10-year window from veteran's death (or 20 years for some cases)"],"monthly_2025_amount":"~$1,536 full-time (varies by enrollment level)","duration":"Up to 36 months (or 45 for some cases)","form":"VA Form 22-5490","download_url":"https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-5490/","distinct_from_post_9_11_transferability":"DEA is for survivors. Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability lets a still-living veteran transfer their unused months to spouse/dependents.","cached_seconds":86400}