[Champva And Chapter 35 Coverage]

DEA Chapter 35 benefits ARE PAID AFTER the Child-Dependent is OVER 31 Years of age.

What is important...is the "Effective Date" of the Veteran's P&T rating.

The Child-Dependent must be YOUNGER than Twenty(26)Six Years Old.

ON the Date of the Veterans "Effective Date".

The Child-Dependent CAN BE Twenty-Five...AND 364 Days OLD...but NOT Twenty(26)Six Years Old!!!

Once the application is filed...and IF the Child-Dependent is found to be eligible.

Then the DEA will send the Child-Dependent a "Certificate of Eligibility".

Which will give the Child-Dependent a Choice of his or her "Starting Date".

That "Starting Date" can be ANY DATE BETWEEN the Veteran's "Effective Date" and the Veteran's "Notification Date".

As long as the Child-Dependent HAD NOT "YET" turned Twenty(26)Six years Old "ON" the Veteran's "Effective Date".

It does NOT matter how old the Child-dependent IS...on the Veteran's "Notification Date".

My "Effective Date" is May 1997...and my Son was 21 Years Old THEN.

My last "Notification Date" was February 2008...and my Son was 32 Years old THEN.

He chose a "Starting Date" in 2004...which allowed him to get SOME back pay...and the remainder of his 45 Months was reduced by those months that he chose for the Back Pay.

He has until 2012 to use up those remaining Months of benefits...or he losses them.

DEA Chapter 35 Benefits are...45 Months of Benefits...OR...8 Years. Whichever comes FIRST.

For anyone not sure...file an APPEAL.

Let them tell you that your Child-Dependent is not qualified...and WHY.

The DEA Chapter 35 Service Center number is 1-888-442-4551

Survivir

My son gets Ch. 35, and the VA website talks about exceptions but they were non-specific, so I called. They talked about 2 exceptions:

1. Once you start, you are allowed to finish, even if your past the age (but not past age 31)

2. My son got "too old" waiting for Ch. 35 because it took them 7 years to approve my disability compensation, and he got a waiver pretty easily.

IF your Son was NOT Twenty(26)Six years old..."ON" the day of your "Effective Date"...then he IS eligible for DEA Chapter 35 Benefits.

Even if he was Twenty-Five and 364 Days Old...he is Eligigle. IF SO...then File an APPEAL.

I think there might be some other exceptions such as maybe if your child has something like ADD that causes them to learn slowly, etc.

I could not find these exceptions written down, at the VA website, so I suggest the best way is to call them. (Be ready for a long wait).

The VA uses the excuse about the new GI bill benefits applicants for huge, massive delays, so I suggest:

1. Apply EArly.

2. Dont count on the money being there on time for them to start school...my son's was months late even tho he applied 6 months ahead of time.

Finally, I recommend your child apply for an education grant, also, as you can get both. Go to www.fafsa.gov

[Looking For Site To Test How Fast My Computer Connection Is Working]

Here is the one I use.

http://www.2wire.com/

(Click on "Speed Meter" on the top row)

Survivir