Special Monthly Compensation

SMC Pay Calculator (SMC-L and above)

If the VA has awarded you Special Monthly Compensation at SMC-L or higher, that award already includes the 100 percent predicate, so there is no need to enter individual disability percentages here. Pick your SMC level, add your dependents and any SMC-K awards, and see your 2026 monthly and yearly pay.

2026 pay worksheetRates effective Dec. 1, 2025
Enter only what the VA has actually awarded. Rates effective December 1, 2025 (2.8 percent COLA). This estimates pay for an SMC level you already have; it does not decide whether you qualify for one.
1

Your SMC level

SMC-P is the statutory mechanism for the half-step rates and is capped at the SMC-O amount. For SMC-S (Housebound) or SMC-K only, use the VA Math calculator instead.

2

Dependents and SMC-K awards

Children under 18
Children 18+ in school
Dependent parents
SMC-K awards (1114(k))

Each SMC-K award adds a flat $139.87 and stacks on top of your level. The first child is included in the base rate; each additional child adds a flat amount.

SMC overview → SMC-L (Aid & Attendance) → SMC-M → SMC-N → SMC-O → SMC-R.1 / R.2 → SMC-T (TBI) → SMC-K → VA Math (ratings + SMC-S) → SMC appeals data (grant rates by level) → Read Board decisions on SMC →

How this calculator works

SMC-L through T are the higher tiers of Special Monthly Compensation, paid for severe combinations of loss, loss of use, aid-and-attendance need, or service-connected traumatic brain injury. Because an SMC-L or higher award already concedes the 100 percent predicate, this tool skips the disability-percentage step that the VA Math calculator uses.

Each level has its own base rate that changes with your dependents: a spouse, your first dependent child, and up to two dependent parents are built into the base amount you select. Each additional child adds a flat amount ($109.11 under 18, $352.45 if 18 or older and in a qualifying school program), a spouse who needs aid and attendance adds $201.41, and each SMC-K award adds $139.87. SMC-K stacks on top of your level.

Educational use only. Not legal advice and not an official VA determination. Rates effective December 1, 2025. Verify current rates at VA.gov.

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