Safeguarding Department of Veterans Affairs Dependent Education Benefits Act of 2025

This bill aims to safeguard educational benefits for military families by reinstating Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for spouses and dependent children who are victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. It amends title 38, United States Code, to allow the reinstatement of transferred educational payments if the termination was caused by a service member's administrative separation or conviction for a dependent-abuse offense . This applies specifically when such separation or conviction results in a discharge characterization that renders the service member ineligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. To receive reinstated benefits, a spouse or dependent child must submit an application with sufficient information to substantiate that they were a victim of dependent abuse. The bill emphasizes that the application process must be trauma-informed , and the Secretary concerned will determine if dependent abuse was the proximate cause of benefit termination, based on a preponderance of evidence or a conviction. Reinstated payments are limited to the unused portion of the educational benefits that were originally transferred. The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, are tasked with prescribing regulations to implement this section. These regulations will define the application procedures and specify which criminal offenses constitute "dependent-abuse offenses" under military, federal, state, or other laws. The bill also establishes a review process for denied applications, ensuring that victims have an avenue to appeal decisions. Finally, it includes a provision to prevent individuals from concurrently receiving educational assistance from multiple federal programs.