VA Housebound Benefits (SMC-S)
CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Level S, or SMC(s)—commonly known as the “housebound” benefit—is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit granted to veterans with at least two severe service-connected disabilities OR a physical inability to leave their home at will.
Special Monthly Compensation can be a tricky VA benefit to decode. In this article, we will break down the specific VA SMC(s)/housebound requirements, the amount of compensation awarded, the two ways that a disabled veteran can qualify, and the most frequently asked questions encountered by our highly experienced VA-accredited law firm.
What Is VA SMC(s) “Housebound” Status?
Housebound, or VA SMC(s), is special compensation for veterans who are considered confined to their homes, either due to multiple, severe service-connected disabilities OR by being physically unable to leave. This confinement must be expected to continue throughout the veteran’s lifetime.
Housebound benefits replace standard VA monthly disability compensation. Housebound veterans do not receive the regular monthly disability compensation.
There are two different paths to housebound eligibility. A veteran needs only to meet the qualifications for one pathway to be eligible for SMC(s) housebound status.
Pathway A for VA SMC(s) (Housebound): The “100 Plus 60” Rule
One path to VA SMC(s) eligibility is when a veteran has at least two service-connected disabilities, with one rated totally disabling (100 percent) and another rated at least 60 percent. This is sometimes referred to as the “SMC Total Plus 60 Percent Rule” or the “SMC 100 Plus 60 Rule.”
The two disabilities must be separate and distinct (e.g., involve different anatomy or body systems).
Examples:
- If the veteran receives 100 percent for ischemic heart disease and 60 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (back condition), that should be sufficient for SMC(s) eligibility.
- If a veteran has a 70 percent schedular rating for PTSD, is receiving TDIU based solely on PTSD, and also has a 60 percent rating for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), they should meet the requirements for SMC(s) eligibility.
Pathway B for VA SMC(s) (Housebound): Inability to Leave House
The second qualifying path for SMC(s) eligibility is if a veteran is substantially unable to leave his or her house, hospital ward, care facility, etc., and the medical condition is not expected to improve.
VA examines the medical evidence to determine if a veteran is substantially confined to their home due to service-connected disabilities. This includes evaluating the severity of the disabilities and the likelihood that the confinement will continue throughout the veteran’s lifetime.
2026 SMC(S) (Housebound) Compensation Rates
The 2026 special monthly compensation rate for SMC(s)/housebound status for a single veteran with no dependents is $4,408.53 per month.
- This amount increases if the veteran has qualifying dependents.
- SMC(s) is given instead of regular monthly VA disability compensation.
- SMC compensation is subject to change based on annual cost-of-living adjustments.
How to Apply for SMC(s) (Housebound) Status
VA is supposed to automatically consider SMC(s) disability compensation if the veteran appears to meet the qualifications for either pathway. However, VA may make mistakes. In these cases, veterans can file a Supplemental Claim or request a Higher-Level Review. If they experience difficulties, they may wish to hire a VA-accredited representative.
Frequently Asked Questions about SMC(s), or “Housebound”
Can a Veteran Receive VA Housebound Status if Their 100 Percent Disability Rating is Based on Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)?
Yes, a veteran can qualify for SMC(s) if they have a TDIU rating that is based on a single disability, along with an additional separate disability rated at 60 percent or more.
The veteran’s TDIU must have been granted for a single service-connected disability to meet the Special Monthly Compensation Total Plus 60 Percent requirement.
Is It Possible to Receive Both Housebound and Aid & Attendance (A&A) VA Benefits Simultaneously?
No. Aid & Attendance is another VA benefit that compensates a veteran who needs assistance with the activities of daily living. The circumstances often overlap between Aid & Attendance and SMC(s), but a veteran cannot receive both SMC(s) and SMC(r) (a common path to A&A) simultaneously. In cases where a veteran meets both SMC(r) and SMC(s) requirements, VA should award the higher benefit of the two—SMC(r)—ensuring the veteran receives the maximum compensation to which they are entitled.
Can a Veteran Be Eligible for Housebound Status Without a Single Disability Rated at 100 Percent?
No. To qualify for housebound status under the SMC Total Plus 60 Percent rule, the veteran must have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, in addition to a separate disability rated at 60 percent or more. Combined ratings that total 100 percent do not meet the requirement for a single 100 percent disability.
Does Housebound VA Status Require the Veteran to Be Bedridden?
No, being housebound does not necessarily mean the veteran must be bedridden. VA SMC(s)/housebound status requires that the veteran be substantially confined to their home or immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.
Can Mental Health Conditions Qualify for Housebound Status?
Yes, mental health disabilities can qualify a veteran for SMC(s), if the veteran meets the other requirements (e.g., the SMC 100 Plus 60 Rule).
“Poking the Bear”: Do You Risk Your Existing Rating by Applying for Housebound Status?
VA may reexamine a veteran’s existing service-connected disabilities when considering a claim or appeal for SMC(s). Therefore, it is technically possible for VA to reduce a veteran’s rating and deny SMC(s), resulting in even less compensation than the veteran started with.
However, two points to consider:
- Assuming a veteran’s claim for SMC(s) is realistic, the potential gain may be worth the risk. SMC(s) compensation is significantly higher than even a 100 percent rating (in 2025, $3,831.30 versus $4,288.45 for a single veteran with no dependents).
- Veterans can hire a VA-accredited representative to assist with a supplementary claim or appeal for SMC(s) or to appeal a rating reduction or denial of SMC(s).
Need Assistance with Applying for VA Housebound Benefits?
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD, or CCK Law, is the leading veterans law firm in the United States. We have represented over 36,000 veterans or dependents before VA or the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, recovering over $1 billion in wrongfully denied benefits. We have also argued many of the cases that have defined and established veterans law, benefitting millions of veterans.
While many law firms do not have experience with complex SMC benefits like housebound, we have helped many veterans these benefits that they have earned by law. And as a VA-accredited law firm, we operate under strict fee guidelines and ethical requirements. If you need assistance with a challenging matter like housebound status, call CCK Law at (800) 544-9144 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
