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Veterans Law

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Level S: Housebound Veterans

Kaitlyn Degnan

December 4, 2017

Updated: January 29, 2025

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Level S: Housebound Veterans

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is a tax-free benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans with service-connected disabilities that are particularly severe or unusual.

There are several types—or “levels”—of SMC, each corresponding to specific situations. One level is SMC Level S—or SMC(s)—commonly referred to as the “Housebound” rate. Veterans can qualify for SMC(s) in either of two ways: two severe service-connected disabilities OR a physical inability to leave their home.

Special Monthly Compensation can be a tricky VA benefit to decode. In this article, we will break down VA SMC(s) requirements, the actual amount of compensation awarded, the two ways that a disabled veteran can qualify, and the most frequently asked questions encountered by our VA-accredited representatives.

Who We Are: Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick is the leading veterans law firm in the US. Since 1999, CCK Law has argued many of the cases that have defined and clarified veteran disability law.

What Is VA SMC(s)?

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.

SMC(s) compensation replaces standard VA monthly disability compensation. Veterans receiving SMC(s) do not receive the regular monthly disability compensation.

There are two different paths to VA SMC(s) eligibility. A veteran need only meet the qualifications for one pathway to be eligible for SMC(s).

Pathway A for VA SMC(s) (Housebound): The SMC 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).

Note about TDIU: If you are receiving TDIU, this may meet the criteria of having one service-connected disability rated totally disabling or 100 percent. The important thing to keep in mind here is that the disability for which you are receiving TDIU must be entirely separate from the other service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more. In other words, TDIU itself may be based on the combination of your disabilities; but for SMC(s) eligibility, you must have at least two completely separate, yet both very severe, disabilities.

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.

VA Housebound Benefits: Special Monthly Compensation

2025 SMC(S) (Housebound) Compensation Rates

As of December 1, 2024, the special monthly compensation rates for SMC(s) are as follows:

  • Veteran Alone (No Dependents): $4,288.45 per month.
  • Veteran with Spouse (No Parents or Children): $4,502.06 per month.
  • Veteran with Spouse and One Parent (No Children): $4,673.50 per month.
  • Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents (No Children): $4,844.94 per month.
  • Veteran with One Parent (No Spouse or Children): $4,459.89 per month.
  • Veteran with Two Parents (No Spouse or Children): $4,631.33 per month.

Notes:

  • These rates are inclusive of the basic disability compensation. (In other words, SMC(s) is not additional compensation. It 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)

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”

Is SMC(s) Permanent?

Not necessarily. In cases where a veteran has a disability or living situation that may improve, they may at some point no longer meet the VA SMC(s) requirements.

Can a Veteran Receive VA SMC(s) 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 VA SMC(s) and VA Aid & Attendance (A&A) Benefits Simultaneously?

No. SMC(r), or Aid & Attendance, is another level of SMC that compensates a veteran who needs assistance with the activities of daily living. The circumstances often overlap between SMC(r) and SMC(s), but a veteran cannot receive both SMC(s) and SMC(r) (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 Meet VA SMC(s) Eligibility with Multiple Disabilities That Combine to 100 Percent, but No Single Disability Rated at 100 Percent?

No. To qualify for SMC(s) 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” Status Require the Veteran to Be Bedridden?

No, being housebound does not necessarily mean the veteran must be bedridden. VA SMC(s) requirements are that the veteran be substantially confined to their home or immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

Can Mental Health Conditions Qualify for VA SMC(s)?

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 VA SMC?

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 VA SMC(s) Requirements?

Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD, or CCK Law, is the largest and most experienced veterans law firm in the United States. Many of the cases that have defined and solidified veterans law were argued by CCK Law attorneys and advocates. As a VA-accredited law firm, we operate under strict fee guidelines and ethical requirements.

If you need assistance with a challenging matter like SMC, contact CCK Law for a free case evaluation.

About the Author

Bio photo of Kaitlyn Degnan

Kaitlyn joined CCK in September of 2017 as an Associate Attorney. Her practice focuses on representing disabled veterans before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

See more about Kaitlyn