H.R. 2327 would eliminate the delimiting date for spouses and surviving spouses under the Dependents' Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
All VA education programs currently have delimiting dates. In other words, there are time limits for eligibility and use of all education programs. Spouses and surviving spouses eligible for educational benefits under Dependents Educational Assistance, also referred to as Chapter 35, only have a 10-year period to apply for and complete these programs of education—beginning either from the date the Veteran is rated permanently and totally disabled or the date of the Veteran’s death. However, in many instances, most notably in the case of caregivers, family obligations and the need to care for the Veteran requires spouses and surviving spouses to defer using these benefits for years, often leaving many unable to apply for or complete the program in a timely manner, resulting in a loss of earned educational opportunities.
Consistent with DAV Resolution No. 124, we strongly support H.R. 2327, as it would eliminate the current 10-year delimiting date for spouses and survivors eligible for Dependents Educational Assistance and expand the opportunity for them to use these life-changing benefits. H.R. 2327 would be effective for those eligible on or after August 1, 2022.
We need all DAV members and supporters to contact their Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 2327 to eliminate delimiting dates for the Dependents Educational Assistance Program. We are grateful for all you do for America’s Veterans and their families.