Expand Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program eligibility to dependent parents of servicemembers who die from service-connected disabilities or have total and permanent service-connected disabilities.

This bill would expand the definition of “eligible person” in Chapter 35 to include dependent parents of servicemembers. Granting dependent parents of servicemembers access to Chapter 35 benefits will allow them to gain the necessary skills to enter the workforce and support themselves and other surviving family members.

Norton committed through her bill to expand Chapter 35 education benefits eligibility to dependent parents of qualifying servicemembers.

Norton Introduces Bill to Extend Educational Benefits to Dependent Parents of Servicemembers | Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.5

verified · Source version 53215 · locator 1264

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to expand education benefits to dependent parents of servicemembers and veterans. Under the legislation, a dependent parent could qualify for education assistance if their child dies from a service-connected disability or has a total and permanent service-connected disability. Currently only spouses and children of these servicemembers are eligible.

Fetched verbatim passage. AI summary (separate from source): Norton announced a concrete legislative attempt during the lookback window, but the statement itself says the expansion is proposed and that current eligibility excludes dependent parents.

unresolved same_term A for effort

Norton Introduces Bill to Extend Educational Benefits to Dependent Parents of Servicemembers | Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
primary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 91%

verified · Source version 53219 · locator 1745

Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Fetched verbatim passage. AI summary (separate from source): GovInfo confirms Norton introduced H.R. 10172 on August 27, 2026 and that it was referred to committee, indicating effort but no enacted delivery shown on the official bill record.

unresolved same_term A for effort

H.R. 10172 (IH) - To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for survivors' and dependents' educational assistance to the dependent parent of a person who dies of a service-connected disability or has a total and permanent service-connected disability, and for other purposes. - BILLS-119hr10172ih | Content Details | GovInfo
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

unverified · Source version 53219 · locator unknown

Bill Version Introduced in House (IH)

Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): The official GovInfo bill version remains the introduced House version, which supports treating the commitment as not yet delivered by enactment.

unresolved same_term

H.R. 10172 (IH) - To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for survivors' and dependents' educational assistance to the dependent parent of a person who dies of a service-connected disability or has a total and permanent service-connected disability, and for other purposes. - BILLS-119hr10172ih | Content Details | GovInfo
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 93%

unverified · Source version 53221 · locator unknown

If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program.

Unverified model/legacy excerpt; not proof. AI summary (separate from source): VA's current DEA eligibility page identifies children and spouses, not dependent parents, as eligible for the relevant education assistance, reinforcing that the promised expansion has not been implemented.

unresolved unknown

Survivors’ And Dependents’ Educational Assistance | Veterans Affairs
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 90%