Montgomery GI Bill Update March 15, 2016          U.S. military veterans attending college may lose their unemployment checks. The curbing of GI Bill spending was approved by Congress in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In December 2015, lawmakers approved of the NDAA, which included a provision to cut off unemployment insurance to veterans who are using the Post-9/11 GI Bill education funds at the same time.   Chapter 35 Benefits The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program is one of the more underused benefits program available to dependents. The program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. Under the program, dependents can receive up to 45 months of educational benefits for an approved school, which may be used for degree or certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training; and it can apply to correspondence courses for dependents.  Under certain conditions, remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may also be approved for the program.    Eligibility If you are the son, daughter, stepchild, adopted child, or spouse of a veteran (or in some cases, a servicemember) who: Died or is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability (i.e., a disability resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces). Died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence. Is missing in action (MIA) or has been captured in the line of duty by a hostile force (POW). Is being forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power. Is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected, permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. At times, there are subtle modifications to the program.  Best to speak with your VSO for up-to-date details.