Reviewed by Jonathan Teplitsky · Updated July 2026
This page is informational only and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It does not give individualized legal or benefits advice or guarantee any outcome. Always confirm current eligibility rules and payment amounts directly with VA.gov.
VA dependent benefits are several separate programs
“VA dependent benefits” is not one single program. It is a set of separate benefits, and which ones your spouse or children qualify for depends on your disability rating and, for some programs, whether that rating is permanent and total. This guide walks through the main ones so you know which application to file.
CHAMPVA: health coverage for your family
CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) gives health coverage to:
- The spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition, or
- The surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition.
Apply with VA Form 10-10d. After approval, VA mails a CHAMPVA ID card, which can take up to six weeks to arrive (per VA.gov).
Chapter 35 (DEA): education and job-training pay
Chapter 35, the Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance program, pays for school or job training if you are the spouse or child of a veteran who died, is missing, or is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition. Apply with VA Form 22-5490. The benefit can cover degree programs, apprenticeships, and some job-training programs -- check the current program rules on VA.gov for what's covered in your case.
Extra monthly compensation for a dependent
If you are rated 30% or higher, you can add a spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent to your disability claim for an additional monthly amount on top of your own compensation. The exact added amount is set by the VA's official compensation-rate tables and adjusts with cost-of-living increases, so this guide does not quote a fixed number -- check the current VA compensation-rate table for the figure that applies to your rating and dependent count.
CHAMPVA vs. TRICARE: not the same program
CHAMPVA is a VA program specifically for the families of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or who died from a service-connected condition. TRICARE is a separate Department of Defense program for active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. A given family generally qualifies for one program or the other, not both — check which one applies to your household's situation before applying.
| Program | Who it covers | What it pays |
|---|---|---|
| CHAMPVA | Spouse/child of a P&T disabled or service-connected-deceased veteran | Health care coverage |
| Chapter 35 (DEA) | Spouse/child of a veteran who died, is missing, or is P&T disabled | School and job-training costs |
| Added dependent compensation | Spouse/child/parent of a veteran rated 30%+ | Extra monthly amount, set by VA rate tables |
What to do next
Check your own disability rating first, since it determines which of these programs your family can use. If you're not sure of your rating or want to understand how the VA calculates it, see our VA disability rating calculator. Military spouses specifically should also see our military spouse benefits hub for spouse-only programs like MyCAA.
Frequently asked questions about VA dependent benefits
What benefits can dependents get? CHAMPVA health coverage, Chapter 35 education pay, added disability compensation, and a dependent ID card, depending on your rating.
Who qualifies for CHAMPVA? The spouse or child of a P&T disabled veteran, or the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died of a service-connected condition.
Is CHAMPVA the same as TRICARE? No -- CHAMPVA is a VA program; TRICARE is a DoD program. Families generally qualify for one, not both.