What is Special Monthly Compensation?

Injured veterans may be eligible for social security disability insurance, disability compensation, and special monthly compensation (SMC). While social security insurance and disability compensation can cover and reimburse those who are eligible for lost wages and benefits, SMC provides compensation regarding non-economic losses. These losses pertain to personal difficulties and inconveniences due to the loss or lost use of a body part or body system.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a special monthly compensation program providing various benefits and compensation. For eligibility, a veteran must be suffering from loss or loss of use of a limb, loss of or effected speech, sight, hearing ability, mobility or obtained other certain disabilities. He or she may also be qualified for SMC if he or she has difficulty leaving the home or bed, or cannot carry out normal daily activities without assistance.

If approved for SMC, a veteran is paid benefits in one of the two ways listed below:

1. In addition to their regular monthly VA disability compensation payment, a veteran should receive their Special Monthly Compensation payment at the most up-to-date SMC-K monthly rate and is may be covered for up to three disabilities.
2. Other than SMC-K, a veteran can be approved for an Special Monthly Compensation benefit where the VA should pay the most current SMC rate instead of the veteran’s regular monthly VA disability compensation or pension payment.

Higher payments may also be available for combined disabilities such as loss or lessened ability of the feet, legs, and arms. Payments may also increase for more severe disability combinations such as bilateral blindness with deafness. Additionally, a veteran may suffer from other service-related disabilities such as paraplegia or inability to take care of himself, which can also be combined with the above monthly compensation payments, possibly raising the amount of SMC; the amount, however, varies depending on the severity of the disability.

Applying for social security disability and special monthly compensation can be a very complex and time-consuming process for veterans. The legal team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers understands this and wants to help by putting our best foot forward throughout South Carolina, including Charleston, Greenville, and our new office in Myrtle Beach. If you have questions regarding social security disability or SMC benefits, contact us today at 888-612-7001.