VBA Form 22-5490 is the form a veteran's family members use to apply for VA education benefits. Spouses, children, and other dependents may be able to get help paying for college, job training, or other programs.

The short version

• Form 22-5490 is the Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits.
• Family members use it to apply for the first time. They also use it to make changes to a benefit they already have.
• It covers two programs: DEA (Chapter 35) and the Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33).
• Who can get help depends on the veteran's disability or death. The rules are below.
• You can send the form online or by mail. Keep copies of everything.

What is this form?

The form's full name is the Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits. Dependents are family members, like a spouse or a child.

Family members use this form to apply for one of two programs:

• Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA).
• Chapter 33 Fry Scholarship.

The form is for spouses or dependents of these veterans:

• Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of service-connected conditions.
• Veterans who died in service.
• Veterans who died from a service-connected condition.

It also covers the Fry Scholarship. This is for children of veterans who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

Two terms to know

• Service-connected: VA agrees the condition is linked to military service.
• Permanently and totally disabled: This is often called P&T. It means VA sees the disability as total. VA also does not expect it to get better.

Why does this form matter?

These benefits can help family members pay for school. They can help cover tuition, books, housing, and other costs.

This form is the official way to apply. It starts the process. And the benefits help support the veteran's family.

When do you use Form 22-5490?

A spouse or other dependent uses this form in two cases:

• They are applying for the first time.
• They want to make changes to a benefit they already have.

It is the right form for:

• Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA).
• Chapter 33 Fry Scholarship.

Who can get these benefits?

Spouses or children may be able to get them if the veteran:

• Is permanently and totally disabled because of service-connected conditions.
• Died in service.
• Died from a service-connected condition.

The Fry Scholarship has its own rule. The veteran must have died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

How does the form work?

The form asks for these details:

• Facts that show who the veteran is.
• Facts that show who you are, as the person applying.
• How you are related to the veteran.
• The type of benefit you want.

You can send it online or by mail.

Tips:

• Fill in all the details the form asks for. Make sure they are right.
• Include your supporting papers.
• Keep copies of everything.

Common situations

• A spouse applies for DEA after VA rates the veteran permanently and totally disabled.
• A child applies for the Fry Scholarship.

Common mistakes

• Leaving out details the form asks for.
• Forgetting supporting papers.
• Not updating a benefit you already have the right way.

How can The Jacks Law Group help?

Applying for these benefits takes work. You need to know who qualifies. You need to gather the right details. And you need to make sure the form is complete.

At The Jacks Law Group, we:

• Check if you qualify for DEA or the Fry Scholarship.
• Fill out the 22-5490 form with care.
• Gather and sort the supporting papers you need.
• Send in the form and keep track of it.
• Look at how it fits with your family's other VA benefits.
• Keep helping you through the whole benefits process.

We have helped veterans and families in West Wendover, across Nevada, and nationwide get education benefits for spouses and dependents.

Try not to apply on your own without guidance. Careful work up front can help you avoid the mistakes listed above.

Ready to apply for VA education benefits for your family?

Contact The Jacks Law Group today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us prepare your VBA 22-5490 form. We want to help your family get the education benefits they have earned.

Visit www.thejackslawgroup.com or reach out now. We are here to help.

Guidance from The Jacks Law Group, VA Disability & Benefits Attorneys | www.thejackslawgroup.com

This is general information, not legal advice for your case. Reading this article or contacting us does not, by itself, make us your lawyers.