For some veterans who sustained significant disabilities during their military service, regular VA disability compensation isn’t enough. Another sometimes overlooked benefit offered by the Veterans Administration is a program called Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which was created with these veterans in mind.
What Is Special Monthly Compensation?
Special Monthly Compensation is a monthly payment designed for veterans who need financial support above and beyond regular VA disability compensation. Its primary purpose is to compensate for extra care and assistance that might be necessary.
If you’re a veteran with a 100% disability rating and face severe or unique challenges due to your service-connected conditions, you might be eligible for SMC benefits according to 38 U.S.C. § 1114 and the regulatory provisions in 38 C.F.R. § 3.350. Unlike regular VA disability compensation, which is based on severity of individual disabilities, SMC takes into account the person as a whole and all the disabilities they have.
What Disabilities Typically Qualify for SMC?
- Service-connected disability rated at 100% or housebound, bedridden or in need of aid
- Deafness of both ears
- Loss of sight of an eye
- Inability to speak
- Loss or loss of use of a hand or foot
- Immobility of a joint or paralysis
- Service-connected paraplegia with a complete loss of bowel and bladder control
- Complete loss of both buttocks
- Loss or loss of use of a reproductive organ
The qualifications are determined using lettered SMC levels (SMC-K, SMC-M, SMC-N, etc.), each reflecting a different combination of disabilities or needs. For example, a veteran who loses use of both legs may qualify for SMC-L or higher, while a veteran rated 100% for PTSD who also has a separate 60% rating for a physical condition may qualify for SMC-S.
Types of Special Monthly Compensation
There are multiple categories of special monthly compensation, each designed to help veterans with specific disabilities. Whether you may need more help at home, have lost the use of a limb or face significant mental health issues that impact your daily life, understanding what is available to you can help you get the support you need.
SMC-K
SMC-K is a type of special monthly compensation designed for veterans who have lost, or lost the use of, specific body parts or body functions, due to a service-connected condition.
- Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disabilities such as the loss of a hand or a foot, loss of sight or hearing, loss of a reproductive organ or 25% or more of tissue from a single breast or both in combination, or are unable to speak.
- Multiple Qualifications: If you happen to have more than one qualifying disability, you may receive additional SMC-K benefits.
SMC-S (Housebound Benefits)
SMC-S is designed for veterans who are, in most cases, confined to their home due to service-connected disabilities. Veterans who are 100% or TDIU for one single condition and rated 60% for their other combined conditions are also eligible for SMC-S based on the severity of their conditions without being housebound. See if you qualify for SMC-S.
You can also check out our VA disability calculator to learn more about what multiple conditions could get you rated for:
SMC-L to O
Special Monthly Compensation categories L to O are designated for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities. They are meant for individuals who require a greater amount of assistance with daily living due to the presence of more significant health conditions.
Here’s a brief description of each SMC category:
-
SMC-L: When veterans have limb loss or loss of use, like losing both feet for example, or a combination of severe disabilities, like blindness or becoming bedridden and requiring Aid and Attendance (A&A). See how to get SMC-L.
SMC-M: Veterans who have extreme disabilities like the loss of both hands, or other severe disability combinations that impact mobility or daily life.
SMC-N: When a veteran has severe conditions like loss of both arms near the shoulder, or similar type conditions/combination of conditions.
SMC-O: The highest level, typically for veterans with full paralysis or conditions that require significant amounts of care. See how to get SMC-O.
SMC-R1 and SMC-R2 (Aid and Attendance)
SMC-R1 and SMC-R2, also known as Aid and Attendance, is another category in the VA’s special monthly compensation program. It is designed for veterans who require regular special assistance because of their service-connected disabilities.
R2 requires the eligibility of SMC-R1 and the need for a higher level of care by or under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist, LPN, CNA, MD, etc. Find out more about Aid & Attendance.
SMC-T (Traumatic Brain Injury)
SMC-T is a category of the Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) program that is meant for veterans who have been diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with severe consequences or residual impacts.
For veterans with major TBIs and residuals, sometimes additional care is needed and SMC-T is useful for providing extra financial support for these needs. You will qualify for this if you experienced a TBI and require an exceptional level of care to avoid being permanently hospitalized. Learn more about SMC-T.
Why Am I Not Getting SMC?
Attorneys Allison Reddick and Stacey Clark talk about why you might not be getting SMC even though you qualify – and what you should do about it.
If you were denied SMC, please request a free case evaluation here. Our VA-accredited attorneys are highly experienced in overturning denials and may be able to help you, at no upfront cost.
Free case evaluationHow Do I Apply for SMC?
To apply for Special Monthly Compensation, you must either submit a specific claim or ensure that your existing evidence clearly supports entitlement so that VA is required to infer it. While the VA is supposed to grant SMC automatically when the evidence justifies it, in practice, it’s often safer and more effective to explicitly claim it, especially in complex or high-level SMC cases.
Determine Your SMC Eligibility
- Determine your SMC eligibility – identify which SMC level or category you may be entitled to. This depends on your current disability ratings, whether you have lost (or lost the use of) limbs, vision, hearing, or creative organs, if you are housebound or need aid and attendance in your daily life.
- Complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance)
- Include medical evidence, such as a C&P exam or physician’s letter, supporting your need for A&A or confirmation of severe anatomical loss, letters from specialists (neurologists, urologists, etc.), physical therapy records, or statements from caregivers.
- File for SMC online at VA.gov, by email or in person at a Regional Office, or with the help of a VSO, accredited representative or VA attorney. If you’re already receiving disability compensation, you can submit the 21-2680 as a standalone claim or as part of a request for increased compensation.
- File a Supplemental Claim – if the VA has failed to consider SMC where it should have, or previously denied your request, you can file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) and include new and relevant evidence, such as new medical documentation or clarification of previously submitted records.
If you believe you are eligible and did not receive benefits, be proactive and take action to ensure you get the help you deserve.
How Much Does SMC Pay in 2026?
The amount you receive from SMC can vary significantly depending on the type and severity of your disability. In 2026 a single veteran with no dependents could receive SMC payments ranging from $4,408.54 for SMC-S to as high as $11,271.66 per month (for SMC-R/2 or SMC-T), while SMC-K is $139.87 added to the monthly payments.
2026 SMC Pay Rates for a Single Veteran with No Dependents
| SMC level | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| SMC-K | $139.87 (added to the monthly disability pay instead of replacing it) |
| SMC-L | $4,900.83 |
| SMC-L 1/2 | $5,154.39 |
| SMC-M | $5,408.57 |
| SMC-M 1/2 | $5,780.44 |
| SMC-N | $6,152.82 |
| SMC-N 1/2 | $6,514.43 |
| SMC-O / P | $6,877.12 |
| SMC-R1 | $9,826.86 |
| SMC-R2 / T | $11,271.66 |
| SMC-S | $4,408.54 |
SMC Pay Rates Without Children
Below are the 2026 SMC pay rates for veterans without children, calculated based on 2.8% increase to the 2025 rates. Add $201.40 if the spouse is receiving Aid and Attendance.
Pay Rates for Levels L to N Without Children
| Dependent Status | SMC-L | SMC-L 1/2 | SMC-M | SMC-M 1/2 | SMC-N | SMC-N 1/2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $4,900.83 | $5,154.39 | $5,408.57 | $5,780.44 | $6,152.82 | $6,514.43 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $5,120.43 | $5,374.96 | $5,628.17 | $5,999.04 | $6,371.23 | $6,732.99 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $5,296.68 | $5,550.18 | $5,803.41 | $6,170.29 | $6,548.47 | $6,910.26 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $5,472.93 | $5,725.40 | $5,978.64 | $6,341.54 | $6,725.72 | $7,087.53 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $5,076.08 | $5,330.65 | $5,585.79 | $5,956.66 | $6,329.88 | $6,690.64 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $5,252.33 | $5,505.87 | $5,761.02 | $6,127.91 | $6,507.13 | $6,867.91 |
Pay Rates for Levels O to T Without Children
| Dependent Status | SMC-O / P | SMC-R1 | SMC-R2 / T | SMC-S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $6,877.12 | $9,826.86 | $11,271.66 | $4,408.54 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $7,096.72 | $10,045.44 | $11,490.25 | $4,627.71 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $7,273.96 | $10,222.71 | $11,667.52 | $4,804.99 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $7,451.19 | $10,399.98 | $11,844.79 | $4,982.26 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $7,053.36 | $9,996.14 | $11,449.90 | $4,584.75 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $7,230.59 | $10,173.41 | $11,627.17 | $4,762.02 |
SMC Pay Rates for Veterans With Children
Below are the 2026 SMC pay rates, calculated based on 2.8% increase to the 2025 rates. Add $109.11 for each additional child under age 18, $352.45 for each additional child over 18 who is in a school program, and $201.40 if the spouse is receiving Aid and Attendance.
Pay Rates for Levels L to N With Children
| Dependent Status | SMC-L | SMC-L 1/2 | SMC-M | SMC-M 1/2 | SMC-N | SMC-N 1/2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with 1 child (no spouse or parents) | $5,047.69 | $5,301.25 | $5,555.40 | $5,927.28 | $6,299.48 | $6,661.27 |
| With 1 child and spouse (no parents) | $5,281.24 | $5,534.59 | $5,788.94 | $6,160.86 | $6,533.04 | $6,894.86 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent | $5,429.47 | $5,682.82 | $5,937.17 | $6,309.09 | $6,681.27 | $7,071.40 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | $5,577.70 | $5,831.05 | $6,085.40 | $6,457.32 | $6,829.50 | $7,247.94 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | $5,223.92 | $5,477.27 | $5,731.62 | $6,103.24 | $6,475.72 | $6,837.80 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | $5,372.15 | $5,625.50 | $5,879.85 | $6,251.47 | $6,623.95 | $7,014.33 |
Pay Rates for Levels O to T With Children
| Dependent Status | SMC-O / P | SMC-R1 | SMC-R2 / T | SMC-S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with 1 child (no spouse or parents) | $7,023.98 | $9,973.70 | $11,418.53 | $4,555.38 |
| With 1 child and spouse (no parents) | $7,257.54 | $10,207.29 | $11,652.08 | $4,788.97 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent | $7,434.07 | $10,383.53 | $11,828.32 | $4,965.17 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | $7,610.61 | $10,559.77 | $12,004.56 | $5,141.41 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | $7,200.24 | $10,150.42 | $11,595.85 | $4,731.48 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | $7,376.77 | $10,326.66 | $11,772.09 | $4,907.68 |
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Cassandra Crosby is an Accredited Agent and VA Trainer for Hill & Ponton, which she joined in the spring of 2016. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies and over 20 years of experience of management of non-profits programs in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Victim Services. A Florida native, she was a military daughter/spouse and has familial ties to the Marines, Air Force, Navy, and Army.
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