Gold Star Family Education Parity Act
This bill, the Gold Star Family Education Parity Act, would terminate the Department of Veterans Affairs' education benefit authority for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) on August 1, 2029. After that date, individuals who would no longer be eligible for Chapter 35 benefits would instead receive educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) in a manner equivalent to how they would have elected Chapter 33 under current law (as if they had chosen Section 3327 benefits). The transition would temporarily waive certain service-crediting restrictions for this purpose, but would still be subject to a subset of Chapter 33 limitations (as defined in 38 U.S.C. 3327(d)(2)). The bill also adds a new Subchapter VIII, “Termination,” to Chapter 35 to formalize the sunset of Chapter 35 authority and to spell out the transition mechanism to Chapter 33 for affected beneficiaries.
Key Points
- 1Termination date set for DEA benefits: Authority to provide educational assistance under Chapter 35 ends on August 1, 2029.
- 2Transition to Chapter 33: Beneficiaries who would lose Chapter 35 eligibility are to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (Chapter 33) as if they had elected Chapter 33 under 38 U.S.C. 3327.
- 3Waiver of certain service-crediting restrictions: The transition would disregard the restrictions on crediting service found in 38 U.S.C. 3322(h)(1) for purposes of this transition.
- 4Subject to remaining Chapter 33 limits: While some restrictions are waived, the transition remains subject to the limitations in 38 U.S.C. 3327(d)(2).
- 5Structural change: Creates Subchapter VIII (Termination) at the end of Chapter 35 to codify the sunset and transition provisions.