Can an eligible surviving child under age 18 who has finished high school receive both DIC and Chapter 35 Education benefits?

An eligible surviving child under age 18 who has finished high school can indeed receive both Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Chapter 35 Education benefits. This is because the two benefits serve different purposes and are designed to support the eligible beneficiaries in distinct ways.

DIC is a monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who die while on active duty or as a result of a service-related injury or disease. It provides financial assistance directly related to the loss of the veteran's income and support.

On the other hand, Chapter 35 Education benefits, also known as Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), are specifically intended to assist eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of such a condition. These education benefits can help cover the costs of education and training programs for the surviving child.

Since these benefits are complementary rather than mutually exclusive, a surviving child can receive both DIC for financial support and Chapter 35 benefits for educational purposes simultaneously. This dual eligibility allows the child to access vital resources during a transitional time of loss and provides support for continued education and personal development.