VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is extra monthly pay added on top of your standard disability compensation. Veterans with the most severe service-connected disabilities — including loss of limb, blindness, or the need for daily personal care — can qualify for SMC rates that reach over $11,000 per month in 2026.
What Is Special Monthly Compensation?
SMC is a special category of VA compensation authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 1114. Congress created it to account for disabilities so severe that standard percentage-based ratings do not fully capture their impact. The VA is supposed to identify and grant SMC automatically when your evidence warrants it — but many veterans are never told they qualify.
2026 SMC Rates at a Glance
The 2026 rates reflect the COLA adjustment that took effect December 1, 2025. The amounts below are for a single veteran with no dependents.
| SMC Level | Monthly Rate (Vet Alone) | Common Qualifier |
|---|---|---|
| SMC-K | +$139.87 added to base pay | Loss/loss of use of one creative organ, thumb, or finger |
| SMC-S (Housebound) | $4,408.53 | 100% rating + permanently housebound, or 100% + 60% separate disability |
| SMC-L (Aid & Attendance) | $4,900.83 | Needs help with daily activities; blindness; loss of use of both hands or feet |
| SMC-R1 | $9,826.88 | Qualifies for SMC-O plus regular Aid & Attendance from another person |
| SMC-R2 / SMC-T | $11,271.67 | R1 + professional-level in-home medical care; or TBI requiring daily aid |
SMC-K: The Most Common Add-On
SMC-K is a flat monthly add-on of $139.87 (2026) that stacks on top of your existing compensation. You qualify if you have the loss or loss of use of: a creative organ (infertility), one or both thumbs, one or more fingers, one foot or hand, or one eye. SMC-K can be combined with other SMC levels.
SMC-S: Housebound Benefits
SMC-S applies when your combined disability rating is 100% and you also have a separate, unrelated disability rated at 60% or higher, or you are rated 100% and are permanently housebound. The 2026 SMC-S rate is $4,408.53 per month — meaningfully higher than the standard 100% rate.
If you are working toward a 100% rating, use our VA disability rating calculator to see how close you are.
SMC-L: Aid and Attendance
SMC-L applies when a veteran needs regular help from another person for basic daily activities. You qualify if you need help bathing, dressing, feeding yourself, or using the bathroom; are bedridden; or have severe visual impairment. The 2026 SMC-L rate is $4,900.83 per month for a veteran with no dependents.
SMC-R1 and SMC-R2: The Highest Levels
SMC-R1 ($9,826.88/mo) applies when a veteran qualifies for SMC-O level and requires regular Aid and Attendance from a caregiver. SMC-R2 and SMC-T ($11,271.67/mo) apply when a veteran needs professional-level in-home medical care or has TBI requiring daily professional care.
How to Claim SMC
- File VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) for SMC-L and higher.
- Include SMC as a claimed benefit in a new or supplemental claim on VA Form 21-526EZ.
- Submit buddy statements and medical evidence showing the level of care you need.
Veterans who are unemployable due to service-connected disabilities may also qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) — which pays at the 100% rate and can set the stage for SMC-S qualification.
Bottom Line
Special Monthly Compensation can dramatically increase your monthly VA benefit. The VA is supposed to grant it automatically, but many veterans miss out. Start by checking your combined rating with our free VA disability rating calculator.