A 100 percent permanent and total rating is often treated as the finish line for the veteran alone. It is also the family's key. Chapter 35 DEA opens education money for a spouse and children once P&T is in place, while Chapter 31 VR&E serves the veteran's own retraining with ratings as low as 10 to 20 percent. Two different doors, opened by the same rating decision.
Overview of both programs
A disability rating can open education and training help for a veteran and for the family. Two programs come up most: Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance, known as DEA or Chapter 35, which covers dependents and survivors, and Veteran Readiness and Employment, known as VR&E or Chapter 31, which covers the veteran. They serve different people and follow different rules.
DEA (Chapter 35) for dependents and survivors
Chapter 35 provides education and training money for the spouse and children of a veteran in defined situations. The main qualifying situations are:
- The veteran is rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition.
- The veteran died from a service-connected condition, or died while a permanent and total disability was in effect.
- The veteran is missing in action, captured, or detained in certain circumstances.
Eligible dependents can use the benefit for college, certain certificate and apprenticeship programs, and similar training, for a set number of months. This is the family-side benefit that a 100 percent Permanent and Total rating commonly opens. The governing law is 38 USC Chapter 35.
VR&E (Chapter 31) for the veteran
Veteran Readiness and Employment helps a veteran prepare for, find, and keep suitable work, or reach independent living when work is not currently possible. To qualify you generally need a service-connected disability rating and an employment handicap that the disability contributes to. A rating of 20 percent or more with an employment handicap is the common threshold, and 10 percent can qualify where the handicap is serious. VR&E can pay for training, education, counseling, and job support, and it is separate from the GI Bill. The governing law is 38 USC Chapter 31.
Comparing options and how to apply
A veteran who also has GI Bill eligibility may compare VR&E with the GI Bill, since VR&E centers on a specific job goal and includes counseling. Dependents apply for Chapter 35 in their own name once the veteran's qualifying status is established. Both programs are applied for through VA.
This is educational content. It is not legal advice. A VA-accredited representative or a VA education counselor can help you confirm eligibility for either program.
Sources
- VA, Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)
- 38 USC Chapter 35 (DEA)
- VA, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)
- 38 USC Chapter 31 (VR&E)