Veterans with severe disabilities may be entitled to special monthly compensation — monthly payments at a higher rate than what is offered under standard VA disability compensation. The VA provides SMC-S benefits to assist veterans with the extra expenses associated with being homebound. Read on to learn more about SMC-S, how much it pays, and who qualifies.
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In this article about VA SMC-S requirements:
What is special monthly compensation (SMC)?
VA disability compensation is designed to pay veterans for their reduced earning capacity. It provides payments to cover income lost due to service-connected disabilities. However, some conditions are so severe that not only can the veteran not work, but they must also pay for special accommodations. This is where special monthly compensation comes in.
“Special monthly compensation, or SMC, is a benefit set by Federal statute,” said VA disability lawyer Krystal Lechner. “It is a monthly amount paid in addition to the rate you receive as part of your disability compensation, resulting in a higher payment for veterans with severe disabilities. This additional money is intended to pay the veteran for the disability as well as the accommodations that they need to take care of their everyday needs.”
There are several types of SMC for different situations or combinations of disabilities. They cover conditions such as amputation or loss of use of a body part, loss of eyesight, or bilateral deafness. Types of SMC are each labeled with a letter (such as SMC-L, SMC-M, and SMC-N).
VA SMC-S requirements
SMC at level S (SMC-S), also called a housebound allowance or housebound benefits, is available to qualifying veterans with severe disabilities.
To be eligible for SMC-S, a veteran must have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and meet at least one of these two requirements:
- An additional service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher OR
- Be permanently housebound due to service-connected conditions
VA definition of housebound
The VA considers veterans housebound when they spend most of their time in their homes because of a disability that is expected to be permanent. Despite the name, they are still allowed to leave the house. However, when they leave, it is infrequently and primarily for medical reasons, like doctor’s appointments.
How much does SMC-S pay?
A veteran with no dependents who receive housebound benefits will be sent $4,183.85 each month instead of a standard VA disability payment. As with standard disability compensation, veterans with spouses or dependent children or parents will receive a higher payment. For example, a veteran receiving SMC-S with a spouse and two children under 18 would receive $4,544.87 a month for the spouse and first child and $103.55 for the second child, for a total of $4,648.42 each month.
Is SMC-S permanent?
SMC-S is not automatically considered permanent. To be eligible for SMC-S, a veteran must have a condition that is “reasonably considered” to be permanent which causes them to be confined to their home. Therefore many veterans who qualify will receive the benefit for the rest of their life. If, however, a veteran’s condition or living situation changes, the VA has the authority to take away the veteran’s housebound allowance.
SMC-S vs. Aid and Attendance
It can be confusing to understand what level of special monthly compensation a veteran is eligible for, especially when the requirements seem to overlap. A particularly confusing situation is understanding SMC-S vs. Aid and Attendance. Aid and Attendance is also called SMC-R and is split into levels R.1 and R.2.
While veterans requesting SMC-S must be housebound to qualify, veterans who are eligible for Aid and Attendance need additional assistance with daily life in their home but are not necessarily housebound.
To be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance, veterans must be receiving a VA pension and meet one of the following requirements:
- Need help with daily activities like getting dressed, eating, or help with personal hygiene, OR
- Stays in bed most of the day due to their conditions, OR
- Is in a nursing home due to their disability, OR
- Has severe loss of eyesight
It’s clear that some veterans who are homebound could also spend most of their day in bed and need additional assistance that qualifies under Aid and Attendance.
However, veterans will not receive SMC at the R and S levels at the same time. In other words, veterans cannot collect a VA housebound allowance and Aid and Attendance benefits simultaneously. Because Aid and Attendance pays at a higher rate, veterans who qualify for both may find it more advantageous to seek Aid and Attendance.
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At Woods & Woods, we focus on helping non-working veterans with service-connected conditions get individual unemployability benefits and, in some cases, increased ratings. We also help survivors of veterans receive their DIC benefits. If you think we can help you with your claim, call us today for a free case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we take and win your case.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, you can still qualify for SMC-S even if you are not completely confined. The VA defines housebound as being substantially restricted to your home due to your service-connected disability. However, you are still considered housebound if you leave infrequently, primarily for medical appointments. Alternatively, your ratings may qualify you for housebound benefits even if you are not confined to your home.
Yes, as with other disability compensation, SMC-S payments increase for veterans with spouses or dependent children or parents. The exact payment depends on the number and type of dependents. Specific rates are outlined in the VA’s special monthly compensation tables.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
