Dependents of eligible military members are entitled to 45 months of DEA-Chapter 35 benefits. There is no entitlement extension available under DEA-Chapter 35.

The delimiting date for dependents varies:

Spouse: A surviving spouse normally has ten years to use their benefits from the date of eligibility. A surviving spouse of a Veteran who died while on Active Duty would get 20 years from the date of the service member's death.

Children: Children generally have eight years from the date of eligibility to use their DEA-Chapter 35 benefits.