What Is Special Monthly Compensation

There are ten basic types of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) offered by the VA. These SMCs are a form of supplemental income offering financial relief for different types of disabilities, loss, loss of use, or situations resulting from disabilities.

For example, Special Monthly Compensations are available for the loss of a limb, sight, or hearing. One of the most common forms of SMC is that of Aid and Attendance.

Who Qualifies for Aid and Attendance?

Veterans who are housebound or require aid and attendance on a daily basis may be eligible for one form of Special Monthly Compensation called “Aid and Attendance.” A&A alone pays about $146.16 per month to a married veteran in addition to whatever benefits a veteran may currently be receiving.

To qualify for Aid and Attendance, the veteran must:

  • require the assistance of another to perform daily tasks;
  • be bedridden as a result of, or in treatment of, your disability
  • reside in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacities

Like other forms of compensation, actual rates of payment for Aid and Attendance may vary based on marital status and family size.

Eligibility for more than one type of Special Monthly Compensation

The interesting, and very helpful, thing about SMCs is that they can be ‘stacked.’ In other words,  if a veteran is eligible for several different types of Special Monthly Compensation, he or she may receive each of them.

These benefits can also be received in addition to disability compensation. There are some exceptions to this rule and the maximum number of SMC benefits payable is 3. The additional income generated from SMCs can often be significant though, at times, difficult to understand.

We can help you understand the different types of Special Monthly Compensation available and discuss your specific eligibility. Just read this short article if you would like to find out more about setting up a free veterans disability consultation.

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

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I highly recommend Travis and his team. From start to finish, the communication and professionalism were outstanding. Jessica was absolutely amazing — responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to help answer questions and keep me informed throughout the process. Travis was also excellent and made me feel confident that I was in good hands. Their entire office treated me with respect and care, and I truly appreciate everything they did for me. If you’re looking for an attorney and legal team that genuinely cares about their clients, I would definitely recommend them.Carlos Thornton
Travis Studdard and his team were always professional and from intake to case resolution, they were extremely pleasant to work with. After working closely with them for roughly six years, they successfully appealed my sleep apnea claim with the VA. At times I thought about giving up, but it was their diligence and confidence in their approach that gave me the ability sustain. There were no surprises, they led me by hand every step of the way. My family and I are truly appreciative for their great work. His team truly cares and it shows. They will fight to the end for veterans. I couldn't be happier with the results.James
I had the pleasure to be helped by Travis and his team on my VA disability claim. They know what they are doing, and I would definitely work with them again. I recommend them to any veteran that has a wrongfully denied claim with the VA...Joel Onomo
Travis and his team helped me get my case done when I couldn't get it done by myself.Everything went much faster and better than I expected.I highly recommend his team for any veteran trying to get a claim processed. Norman Scott,U.S.Army veteranNorman Scott
Jason Perkins and his team are so kind, knowledgable and helpful. They were thorough with all my legal needs and made sure my medical needs were taken care of financially. What I most appreciate is that he was always very clear about what was best for my case, but he also always told me I needed to do what was best for me, both mentally and physically. He was always available to answer questions, made sure I understood, and was willing to let me make decisions regarding my case. His ethics are beyond reproach. He would not take a percentage of a payment he did not help me receive. You can trust him. He always made it clear that my mental and physical well-being were more important than any part of my case. Then he would explain what would be best for the case and why, and allow me time to decide. Being in the Worker's Compensation system was an incredibly demeaning experience. I am a strong, educated woman, but when everyone in a system tells you that you are not worthy of the care you have received your entire life, and you instantly become less than to many of those who are suppose to be caring for you, it would weigh on anyone. I am so thankful I had Jason and his team fighting for me, getting me things I never would have imagined would be denied, like a second opinion before surgery, or physical therapy instead of opioids. I cannot imagine trying to handle this experience by myself.Andri Pilgrim
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Perkins Studdard LLC has been wonderful to work with from the first day through the final journey. They were prompt in requesting the information from me so they could appeal my claim with the VA. I had exhausted all means trying but they were able to get me to 100%. I would "HIGHLY" recommend using them if you are having difficulty getting anywhere with the VA.Mike Black
When i found this law firm I was going through a hard time not just with the VA but mentally as well. And after i hard denial i reached out to Travis and let me just say that was the best decision of my life. From the first call i knew i had made the right decision they are nothing short of amazing. Shoutout to Jessica and Chandler they both helped ease my stress and make the process so smooth it felt really good to be heard. My only mistake was not reaching out to them sooner. Thank you all so very muchRilesia Singleton
Perkins Studdard LLC has done for me what VSO, the DAV, and I could not do on my own. For 10 years after my last rating the VA was bound and determined to keep me at my current percentage. My body was tired physically and mentally. I needed help that the civilian world was not going to let me stop work for. I contacted Perkins Studdard and worked with Jessica and Travis. To tell you what I ever hoped for was greatly exceeded. I am able to now properly heal since 2007 when I was medically discharged. I promise when we feel like we are forgotten you have people like Travis and Jessica that work hard for you to make sure you are not. Their policy on pay is exceptional and even when I got aggravated they understood how to keep me calm and helped my patience. I think the VA does not like to see them coming. I got the holy grail, home run, I can breath decision I needed. Let them help you!Lisa Jordan
I have enjoyed my experience with Perkins Studdard. The team is always available to answer questions and make me feel comfortable, and like I matter. Did a great job with my VA Disability.Matt Strange

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Travis Studdard

Sustaining Member since 2012

www.vetadvocates.org

Providing Representation to America’s
Veterans and their Dependents

The information contained on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Readers should not act or rely upon any information contained in this web site without first seeking the advice of an attorney. The transmission of an email request for information does not create an attorney – client relationship. Finally, please remember that email may not be secure and may be subject to review by unwanted intruders. Perkins Studdard LLC makes no representation that it can obtain the same results as reported in cases on this web site in other legal matters.

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