Transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents involves specific eligibility criteria and procedures. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) provide comprehensive guidelines on this process.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Service Requirements:
• Complete at least 6 years of service on the date of the transfer request approval.
• Commit to an additional 4 years of service.
• The dependent must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
Transfer Process:
- Initiate Transfer Request:
• Submit a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) request through the milConnect portal.
• Specify the number of months of benefits to transfer to each dependent.
- Approval:
• The respective military branch reviews and approves the transfer request.
- Dependent Application:
• Once approved, dependents apply for the transferred benefits using VA Form 22-1990E, available on the VA’s website.
Additional Considerations:
• Service Obligation:
• Transferring benefits requires an additional service commitment, which may be a point of concern for some service members.
• Benefit Usage:
• Spouses can use the benefits immediately upon approval.
• Children can use the benefits after the service member has completed 10 years of service and must do so before turning 26.
• Housing Allowance:
• Spouses are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the service member is on active duty.
• Children may be eligible for the housing allowance even if the service member is on active duty.
For detailed information, refer to the following authoritative sources:
• VA: Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits