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.
SMC provides added financial assistance to those who have service-related disabilities that are above and beyond average cases.
Its primary purpose is to compensate for extra care and assistance that might be necessary.
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.
There are a variety of different types of SMC (SMC-K thru SMC-T), that focus on specific types of disabilities.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about SMC, including:
There are multiple types of special monthly compensation, each designed to help veterans with specific disabilities.
In the following section, we’ll talk about each of these types, like SMC-K and SMC-L, and explain what would qualify you for each type.
Whether you may need more help at home, have lost the use of a limb or face other significant challenges that impact your daily life, understanding what is available to you can help you get the support you need.
SMC-K, also known as “Special K” is one of the types of special monthly compensation available through the VA.
It is designed for veterans who have lost, or lost the use of, specific body parts or body functions, due to a service-connected condition.
Here’s some basic facts about SMC-K:
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.
Check out our VA disability calculator to learn more about what multiple conditions could get you rated for below.
This benefit is to help assist with the limitations that often occur due to the inability to leave their residence.
Details about SMC-S include:
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) 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.
Want to learn some ways to get SMC-O? We offer some quick tips in our short video below!
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