What is VA Special Monthly Income (SMC)?
Special monthly income (SMC) is additional compensation (or, in some cases, a different base rate of compensation) for veterans who receive VA disability benefits and meet certain other criteria. Special monthly income isn’t a set additional benefit for everyone who qualifies. Instead, there are numerous classifications, each with different criteria and different compensation rates.
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Special Monthly Income Classifications
SMC classifications include:
- SMC-K: A veteran qualifies for SMC-K if they have suffered an anatomical loss or loss of use such as loss of a reproductive organ, loss of one hand or foot, loss of one or both breasts for a female veteran, or deafness in both ears.
- SMC-L through SMC-O: These levels are assigned based on amputation or loss of use of limbs or extremities in various combinations, blindness, being permanently bedridden, or needing help with daily essential activities like bathing, dressing, and feeding yourself. The specific designation of SMC-L, SMC-L ½, SMC-M, SMC-M ½, SMC-N, SMC-N ½, or SMC-O will depend on the combination of amputations, loss of use, or other limitations.
- SMC-R.1 and SMC-R.2: This designation applies only to veterans who need daily help with basic essentials like dressing, bathing, and feeding themselves.
- SMC-S: A veteran may receive a level S designation if they are unable to leave the house due to service-connected disabilities.
- SMC-T: This designation is only for veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) with serious residual effects.
Note that one additional designation, SMC-Q, appears in the VA’s listing. However, that designation hasn’t been assigned for decades.
The various combinations of losses and disabilities that place a veteran in one category or another are numerous and interrelated. In some cases, two or more qualifications for one classification bump a veteran into a different classification. An experienced veterans benefits advocate can explain the qualifications as they apply to your situation and help ensure that you don’t miss out on benefits you may be entitled to.
How Much Do Veterans Receive in Special Monthly Income?
How SMC affects a veteran’s total VA disability benefits is also complicated. Not only are benefit levels different depending on the classification, but they operate in two different ways.
Special monthly income for SMC-K designation comes in the form of an added monthly benefit on top of your regular VA disability benefits. In 2024, the added amount is $132.74. However, a veteran can receive up to three SMC-K awards, depending on their qualifying conditions. So, total monthly benefits may be increased by up to $398.22. This amount is adjusted annually based on the cost of living.
For most classifications, though, an SMC designation changes the base amount of pay a disabled veteran receives. For example, in 2024, disabled veterans with no special compensation or other add-ons and a 100% disability rating receive $3,737.85/month. This amount may be increased if the veteran has eligible dependents.
However, that base rate is different for veterans with most SMC designations. For a veteran alone, the base compensation rate is:
- $4,651.06/month with an SMC-L designation
- $4,981.50/month with an SMC-L ½ designation
- $5,132.92/month with an SMC-M designation
- $5,485.60/month with an SMC-M ½ designation
- $6,182.55/month with an SMC-N designation
- $6,526.64/month with an SMC-O/P designation
- $9,326.07/month with an SMC-R.1 designation
- $10,697.23/month with an SMC-R.2 designation
- $4,323.22/month with an SMC-S designation
These rates may also be increased when the veteran has eligible dependents. In addition, some designations allow for the possibility of added benefits for one or more SMC-K designations.
The Bottom Line on Special Monthly Income Classifications
As you can see, SMC classifications are complicated. The wide range of combinations of losses of body parts, organ functions, and other types of disabilities can make it difficult to determine which classification may apply, or whether you may qualify for more than one designation. In some cases, such as when one classification is SMC-K, you may receive an increased base benefit and add-on benefits. In other cases, more than one qualification may mean that you “level up” to a different designation and base rate.
To further add to the complication, some of these SMC designations are also known by other names. For example, SMC-R.1 and SMC-R.2 are also known as “Aid and Attendance.” And, SMC-S is also known as the “Housebound Allowance.”However, a SMC designation can make a huge difference in the benefits a disabled veteran receives. So, it’s important to know whether and how you may qualify for special compensation.
The VA Should Automatically Consider Veterans for SMC
In theory, a veteran doesn’t have to do anything special to apply for SMC benefits. When the VA is assessing the veteran’s eligibility and reviewing their service-connected medical conditions to assign a disability rating, they should automatically assign appropriate SMC designations. But, it’s up to the veteran to make sure they’ve provided sufficient medical documentation for the VA to make that determination. And, sometimes they make the wrong call, or the veteran’s situation worsens and their qualification may change.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sort this out on your own.
Veterans Help Group is Here for You
At Veterans Help Group, our experienced advocates are well-versed in the complex qualifications for varying SMC designations, and how those qualifications may work in combination. We also know what type of documentation is required to help the VA make the right determination about service connection, disability rating, and possible SMC designations.
Wherever you are in the process–just starting your claim or considering an appeal–we can help. But, the best time to get guidance and assistance from an experienced advocate is at the very beginning. Ensuring that your initial claim is strong and that you’ve presented thorough, well-organized documentation can mean the difference between a relatively quick approval and a drawn-out appeals process. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form here.
