How your VA disability benefits can help pay for dependents’ education Caitlin O'Brien 1 day ago Spc. Bryan Keith, fire detection control specialist, Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, helps a child with his reading work at Keller Elementary School Sept. 25, 2012. If you qualify for permanent and total disability due to a service-connected disability, you could be eligible to pass education benefits to your dependent. Under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, your spouse or child may be able to get help paying for school or job training. Through this program, commonly known as Chapter 35 benefits, both the dependent and the veteran or service member must meet eligibility requirements under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.