Changes Coming to the Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program in August

In 2017, Congress passed the Forever GI Bill.  One of the entitlements under this legislation is the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. This program offers education and training opportunities (e.g., degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships and on-the-job training) to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or of Veterans who died while on active duty or from a service-related condition.

Effective August 1, 2018, the entitlement will be reduced from 45 months to 36 months.  However, dependents are still eligible for the full 45 months if they are already taking classes. Another change occurs on October 1 when the monthly allowance for eligible recipients increases by nearly $200 per month.  If you have questions about program changes, call 1–888-GI-BILL-1 (1–888–442–4551) or read more at https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/50119/50119/.