VA Form 22-5490
Survivors' and Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits (DEA - Chapter 35)
You are the spouse or dependent child of a veteran who is 100% P&T from a service-connected condition, died from a SC condition, is MIA, or was a POW - and you want educational assistance.
- Who fills it
- dependent
- Journey phase
- Education & Training
- Estimated time
- 30-45 minutes.
- When to file
- Before starting your program. DEA has a 10-year benefit period from the event (veteran's death, MIA designation, or P&T determination). Children between 18-26.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-5490/
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
Gather before you start
- ▸Veteran's VA File Number and status (100% P&T, death from SC condition, MIA, POW)
- ▸Your name, SSN, DOB, relationship to veteran
- ▸Marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child)
- ▸School you plan to attend
Attach with the form
- ▸VA rating decision showing 100% P&T (or death certificate, MIA orders)
- ▸Marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child)
Section I - Applicant Identification
Blocks 1-6Your name, SSN, DOB, address, relationship to veteranPII
Your information as the dependent applying for DEA benefits. Must be spouse or dependent child of a qualifying veteran. Children must be between 18 and 26 (with exceptions for service disruptions).
(your name, SSN, DOB, relationship)
Common mistakes
- ×Children over 26 applying - generally ineligible unless there was a military service period that extended eligibility.
- ×Not knowing that spouses generally have a 10-year window from the qualifying event.
Authority
- 38 USC 3501 - DEA basic entitlement.
Section II - Veteran Sponsor Information
Blocks 7-12Veteran name, VA File Number, qualifying statusPII
Identify the veteran and their qualifying status: (1) 100% permanent and total disability from SC condition, (2) Death from SC condition, (3) Missing in action, (4) Captured or detained by enemy forces. Include VA File Number for cross-reference.
(veteran name, VA file number, qualifying basis)
Common mistakes
- ×Applying based on a temporary 100% rating instead of a permanent and total rating.
- ×Not knowing DEA and CHAMPVA can both be received simultaneously by dependents of 100% P&T veterans.
Section III - School/Program
Blocks 13-16School name, address, VA facility code, program
VA-approved school or training program.
(school name, VA facility code)
Common mistakes
- ×School must be VA-approved for DEA benefits to pay.
Section IV - Certification
Blocks 17-18Applicant signature and datePII
Sign and date. By signing you certify the information is accurate under penalty of perjury.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Not confirming the 10-year benefit window has not expired before applying.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 USC 3501 - DEA basic entitlement.