VFW Post 7446 Addison IL

Please share with your veteran contacts. We will be offering same-day appointments.

Thanks!


Lisa Mendez
Communications Specialist
Outreach Coordinator

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Cell: 708-998-7957

VA is discontinuing Chapter 35 education benefits for high school programs
A change in public law discontinues DEA benefits for secondary education for any program starting on or after Aug. 1, 2026



June 4, 2026
Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration

Under Chapter 35, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA or Chapter 35) program, eligible spouses and children of Veterans or service members who have a permanent and total service-connected disability, were missing in action or captured, died on active duty, or died from a service-connected condition receive a stipend while they attend educational programs.

Currently, beneficiaries can use the benefit to attend high school for pre-requisite classes to a college degree.

However, Public Law 117–328 statutorily changed the definition of “educational institution” by deleting “secondary school” and replacing it with “post-secondary school.” This means that using DEA benefits for secondary education, such as high school coursework, GED level training, tutoring or academic remediation is no longer allowed for any program starting on or after Aug. 1, 2026.

Students who start a secondary program prior to Aug. 1, 2026, will continue to receive DEA benefits through the end of the academic term. VA cannot continue DEA benefits for subsequent secondary academic terms even if required for graduation.

VA is contacting beneficiaries and schools who are affected by the change. Beneficiaries who have questions about their benefits may submit inquiries through Ask VA.

Please join us as we attend the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for the Chicagoland Veterans Campus located at 39 Army Trail Blvd, Addison, IL along with the Village of Addison.

June 27th, 2026 from 1pm-5pm.

*Commemorating our Nations' 250th Birthday
*Living History Timeline
*Masonic Dedication (Tribute to our Founding Fathers)
*Dedication by our sister museum in Trignano, Italy
*Dedication of Liberty Tree
*Dedication by Sons of the Union Veterans
*Military Vehicle Display

**For more information call 708-606-0742 or email [email protected]

Join us this Monday, May 25, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM as the Village of Addison, in cooperation with local organizations, and VFW Post 7446 Addison IL, hosts its annual Memorial Day observance. See flyer for details and for additional information, please visit: https://www.ithappensinaddison.com/

Please note that the Addison Police Department Records Section and Village offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. Police Records will reopen at 7:00 AM and Village Hall at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 26.

As always, contact the Addison Police Department for 24-hour emergency, police and fire response by dialing 911. For non-emergency matters, dial (630) 543-3080. ML204