VA special monthly compensation (SMC) is a higher rate of compensation that we pay to Veterans as well as their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents with certain needs or disabilities. Find the 2024 special monthly compensation rates that may apply to you.
Special monthly compensation rate payment variations
Effective December 1, 2023
Levels K and Q are special rates called SMCrate payment variations. We may add Level K to your basic SMC rate.
Special monthly compensation rates for Veterans without children
Effective December 1, 2023
Levels L through O cover specific disabilities and situations.
Learn how we assign SMC levels L through O
Level R may apply if you need daily help from another person for basic needs (like dressing, eating, and bathing).
Level S may apply if you can’t leave the house because of your service-connected disabilities.
Special monthly compensation rates for Veterans with dependents, including children
Effective December 1, 2023
Levels L through O cover specific disabilities and situations.
Learn how we assign SMC levels L through O
Level R may apply if you need daily help from another person for basic needs (like dressing, eating, and bathing).
Level S may apply if you can’t leave the house because of your service-connected disabilities.
Note: We’re required by law to match the percentage of cost-of-living adjustments made to Social Security benefits. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of your benefits keeps up with inflation.
How to use the tables to find your monthly payment
Find your basic rate
Go to the SMC ratethat appliesto you. On the Basic SMC rates table, find the amount for your disability rating and SMC letter designation. This is your monthly basic rate.
Example (Veteran with no children): If you were a Veteran with a dependent spouse (no dependent parents or children), and you had an SMC-M designation, your monthly basic rate would be $5,341.32 each month.
Find your added amounts, if any apply
If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits or you have more than one child, you may qualify for additional monthly payment amounts as listed in the Added amounts table.
Learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits
First, determine your basic rate.
Example (Veteran with children): If you’re a Veteran with an SMC-L designation, and you have 4 dependent children (1 child over age 18 in a qualifying school program and 3 children under age 18), and a dependent spouse, you would start with a basic SMC rate of $5,012.08 for a Veteran with one child and spouse (no parents).
Next, look at the Added amounts table. Find the amount for children under age 18 ($103.55).
Since your basic rate already provides payment for 1 child, you would add the rate of $103.55for each additional child under age 18 (so $103.55x 2).
Then, look for the rate for each additional child over 18 in a qualifying school program ($334.49).
If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance, you would also add $191.14(which is the added amount for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance, for a Veteran with a SMC-L designation).
Add these amounts to your basic rate to get your total monthly payment amount.
In our example of a Veteran with a SMC-L designation, your total monthly payment amount would be:
$5,012.08(basic rate (1 spouse, 1 child)
+ 103.55(second child under 18)
+ 103.55 (third child under 18)
+ 334.49(1 child over 18, in a qualifying school program)
+ 191.14(spouse who receives Aid and Attendance)
Total $5,744.81
How we assign SMC levels L through O
We assign SMC levels based on very specific situations and combinations of situations, including:
- The amputation of one or more limbs or extremities
- The loss of use of one or more limbs or extremities (meaning you have no effective function remaining)
- The physical loss of one or both eyes
- The loss of sight or total blindness in one or both eyes
- Being permanently bedridden (unable to get out of bed)
- Needing daily help with basic needs (like eating, dressing, and bathing), also called “Aid and Attendance”
Select an SMC letter below to learn more about the specific situations and combinations of situations that fall within that designation.
Past rates
Review special monthly compensation rates for past years.
2023 rates (effective December 1, 2022)
2022 rates (effective December 1, 2021)
2021 rates (effective December 1, 2020)
2020rates(effective December 1, 2019)
2019 rates (effective December 1, 2018)
2018 rates (effective December 1, 2017)
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