What Is VA Special Monthly Compensation?
Special Monthly Compensation is an additional tax-free VA benefit offered to U.S. veterans facing a severe disease who have specific disabilities that require extra financial support.
Unlike standard disability compensation, SMC accounts for more severe disabilities and the need for assistance due to these conditions.
SMC payouts start at $136 a month, depending on your disability level.
Key Facts on VA Special Monthly Compensation
- Who’s eligible: Veterans with mesothelioma who are bedridden or need care from another person.
- How it works: Veterans who qualify will receive an SMC rating that determines the amount of their monthly benefits.
- How to apply: Veterans can receive SMC when applying for disability compensation or by filling out a separate form.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you pursue all veterans benefits you qualify for, including SMC. Our VA-accredited agents can make the process easy and hassle-free.
Get our Free Veterans Compensation Guide now to learn more about your options.
What Qualifies for VA Special Monthly Compensation?
You or a U.S. veteran that you love can potentially receive VA SMC for severe disabilities, or combinations of disabilities, that resulted from active-duty service.
The VA awards SMC to veterans suffering from:
- Being bedridden: Some veterans may not be able to leave their bed due to their service-related disabilities (such as end-stage mesothelioma).
- Loss of a limb: You may qualify for SMC if you needed an amputation due to service-related injuries.
- Loss of senses: Veterans who are blind, deaf, or can’t talk could be eligible for SMC.
- Paralysis: Service-related disabilities or illnesses could lead to limb paralysis.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Since a TBI can lead to significant impairment, the VA is authorized to award SMC to affected veterans.
- Severe mental health conditions: In certain cases, veterans with PTSD or other mental health issues could qualify for SMC.
The VA also awards SMC to disabled veterans who need Aid and Attendance (A&A) attendance with feeding, bathing, or dressing themselves. If a veteran with advanced mesothelioma needs A&A, they could potentially obtain it through SMC.
Call (866) 608-8933 now to find out if you or a loved one is eligible for SMC and other VA benefits. Our in-house veterans advocates are standing by to answer all of your questions.
How VA Special Monthly Compensation Works
To determine a veteran’s SMC payments, the VA uses a rating system with levels based on the severity of the disability.
Learn about the different levels and the amount of compensation available below.
SMC-K
This is awarded usually for the loss of a limb or limb function. As of 2025, you can receive $136.06 per month if you qualify for SMC-K.
SMC-L Through SMC-O
These SMC levels are typically available for veterans suffering from the loss or loss of function of multiple body parts.
You may qualify if you:
- Became permanently bedridden due to mesothelioma
- Can’t hear out one or both ears
- Lost or can’t use more than one limb
- Lost or can’t see out of both eyes
- Need A&A for daily living
U.S. veterans can receive $4,651.06 to $6,526.64 per month for these SMC levels, with more available if they have a dependent spouse or child.
SMC-R and SMC-S
Veterans who need help with daily activities may be able to get SMC-R or SMC-S benefits.
Here are the differences between the two:
- SMC-R is Aid and Attendance offered to veterans who rely on others to bathe, dress, and feed them. The base rate is $9,326.07 per month with more available if the veteran has dependents.
- SMC-S is for veterans who are housebound or bedridden due to their disability. SMC-S starts at $4,183.85 per month and increases from there.
These veterans Special Monthly Compensation rates may seem confusing, but we can make the process easy to navigate. Get our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to see how much money you could receive.
2025 VA Special Monthly Compensation Rates
There are currently 11 SMC levels, each with its own monthly compensation rate.
| SMC Level | Monthly Rate | Monthly Rate With Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| K | $132.74 | N/A |
| L | $4,651.06 | $4,859.46 |
| L 1/2 | $4,891.50 | $5,099.90 |
| M | $5,132.92 | $5,341.32 |
| M 1/2 | $5,485.61 | $5,694.01 |
| N | $5,839.08 | $6,047.48 |
| N 1/2 | $6,182.55 | $6,390.95 |
| O/P | $6,526.64 | $6,735.04 |
| R.1 | $9,326.07 | $9,534.47 |
| R.2/T | $10,697.23 | $10,905.63 |
| S | $4,183.85 | $4,392.25 |
Keep in mind that the exact amount you may receive will vary based on your specific situation. For example, you may qualify for additional compensation if you have a dependent child.
How to Apply for VA Special Monthly Compensation
The process to access Special Monthly Compensation generally follows these steps. Our team is here to guide you through each of them.
1. Get the Right Forms
In many cases, the VA automatically awards SMC as part of your larger disability benefits package if your particular condition qualifies. You can fill out VA Form 21-526EZ to file a VA disability claim.
The process is slightly different if you want SMC and need care from someone else or are housebound.
Contact our team to make sure you’re using the right forms and get help walking through each step of your application.
2. Collect Documents to Support Your VA SMC Claim
You will likely need to provide supporting evidence to show why you deserve VA SMC, such as medical records confirming your mesothelioma diagnosis and documents related to your military service.
Our VA-accredited attorneys can help you gather the medical evidence and records you need, and it doesn’t cost anything to work with us.
3. Submit Your VA SMC Claim
Once you have gathered the right documents, it’s time to file them with the VA. This can be done online, at a nearby VA office, or with the help of a VA attorney.
The VA will review your application and the evidence you submit before making a decision.
4. Receive Your SMC Benefits
If you are approved to receive SMC for mesothelioma, you will start to get monthly payments.
You can use your SMC payouts to cover the cost of daily living, mesothelioma treatment, and other expenses.
Other VA Benefits and Compensation for Veterans With Mesothelioma
SMC is just one of many benefits available to U.S. veterans who developed mesothelioma.
Other mesothelioma VA benefits include:
- Health care: Veterans can receive specialized medical treatments for mesothelioma for free or at a low cost through VA health care.
- Pensions: Veterans whose net worth is below a set limit may receive a pension paid out in monthly installments.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Surviving spouses and dependents who lose a veteran they love to a service-connected disability or illness may qualify for VA DIC benefits.
- Funeral and burial benefits: A veteran’s surviving family members may receive compensation to help with funeral and burial costs.
Besides VA benefits, U.S. veterans may also pursue legal compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Many veterans have received $1 million or more through legal claims while still accessing VA benefits.
Get our Free Veterans Compensation Guide for help claiming VA benefits and other financial assistance after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Get Help Filing for Mesothelioma Special Monthly Compensation
VA Special Monthly Compensation and other benefits can provide much-needed financial relief for you or a loved one after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you pursue all of the VA benefits you qualify for at no cost to you.
Our VA-accredited claims agents can:
- Help you build and file a VA SMC benefits claim
- Increase your VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis
- File legal claims on your behalf for additional compensation
Call (866) 608-8933 or fill out our contact form to get started.
VA Special Monthly Compensation FAQs
Do I qualify for SMC?
Possibly, yes. Many U.S. veterans develop mesothelioma due to military asbestos exposure between the 1930s and early 1980s, and the VA may consider this cancer to be a service-related illness.
Depending on a mesothelioma veteran’s level of disability, they could qualify for SMC.
You could be eligible for SMC if mesothelioma:
- Causes you to need a daily caregiver
- Forces you to be housebound or bedridden
- Leads to loss of use of reproductive organs (which could happen with testicular mesothelioma)
Call (866) 608-8933 to learn if you’re eligible for SMC or other VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
How much is SMC a month?
SMC can pay anywhere from $132.74 to $10,697.23 per month, depending on what type of disability you have, your number of dependents, and other factors.
Our team can help determine how much VA SMC you could receive after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
How much does SMC K pay for 2025?
SMC-K pays $136.06 a month as of 2025.
You may receive up to 3 SMC-K awards depending on your disability, meaning you could receive up to $408.18 monthly.
Can you get VA Special Monthly Compensation back pay?
Yes, the VA may offer back pay (also call retroactive payments) for Special Monthly Compensation.
Back pay is dated to the day you applied for benefits or the date you became eligible.
Why do mesothelioma patients deserve SMC?
Many veterans were exposed to asbestos (the only known cause of mesothelioma) while serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis forces a veteran to rely on others for help with daily living activities, or if they become bedridden, they deserve to receive SMC from the VA.
Get our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn how we can help you access VA SMC and other financial benefits.
Is VA Special Monthly Compensation permanent?
In some cases. If the condition is deemed permanent and total, a veteran could receive Special Monthly Compensation for the rest of their life.
However, the VA may periodically review the case to determine if the veteran’s condition has improved.
We can help you get a better understanding of how long you’ll receive SMC for: Contact us now to learn more.
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