100% VA Disability Benefits: A 100% VA disability rating can open the door to more than just help for the veteran. It can also give major support to spouses and children. One of the biggest benefits is education help. The Department of Veterans Affairs says eligible family members may get education and career benefits that can help pay for school, training, and job prep.
The main program for this is the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program, also called Chapter 35. It is for spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of a service-connected condition, and for some survivors of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability.
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Many families do not know this help exists. Some also think it pays every tuition bill in full, but that is not how it works. DEA usually pays a monthly education benefit instead of paying the school directly. That money can be used for approved education costs while the student is in a qualifying program. The VA page for Chapter 35 says the benefit can be used for school or to help cover expenses while training for a job. Current VA guidance also shows that Chapter 35 rates are updated for the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
What can Chapter 35 cover?
Chapter 35 can support many kinds of education. It can be used for college or university degrees, technical and vocational schools, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, certificate programs, some correspondence courses, approved online classes, and certain licensing or certification tests. The VA also says some benefits can be used for national tests and other approved education paths. This makes the program useful for both classroom learning and job training.
Eligibility is tied to the veteran’s status. In most cases, the VA must decide that the disability is permanent and total. A temporary 100% rating usually does not make dependents eligible. The VA’s current CHAMPVA guidance says a permanent and total disability is one that is rated 100% disabling and is not expected to improve. Children usually become eligible between ages 18 and 26, though some situations can extend that window. Spouses may also qualify in certain periods tied to when the VA made the permanent and total decision.
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Other help Families can get?
Education help is not always limited to federal VA benefits. Many states have their own tuition waivers, scholarships, or grants for spouses and children of veterans with a 100% permanent and total rating. The rules change from state to state. Some states cover full tuition at public colleges. Others offer partial aid. Families are usually told to check their state veterans affairs office for the exact rules.
There can also be health care and shopping benefits. Eligible spouses and children may qualify for CHAMPVA, which is the VA’s civilian health care program for family members who do not qualify for TRICARE. The VA also lists other possible benefits for families of veterans rated 100% permanent and total, including commissary and exchange privileges and access to morale, welfare and recreation services, depending on current rules.
Families should also note one recent change. VA announced in 2026 that DEA can no longer be used for secondary education programs, such as high school coursework, GED-level training, tutoring, or academic remediation, for any program starting on or after August 1, 2026. So the benefit is now focused on post-secondary education and approved training programs. Families can apply with VA Form 22-5490 when they are ready to start.
