Vet Pay Chart

SMC-K rate (2026): $139.87 a month

Effective December 1, 2025. This is an addition to an eligible base benefit.

SMC-K monthly addition

$139.87

$1,678.44 for 12 months

Parents, schoolchildren and spouse care

Schoolchild amounts are separate from the under-18 count. A spouse care addition requires a dependent spouse.

How this amount is built

Monthly compensation in U.S. dollars
Published rate or additionMonthly amount
Veteran rate (dependent additions do not apply)$139.87
Total monthly compensation$139.87

At 10% and 20%, the VA rate stays the same with or without dependents.

Read the designation before the rate

VA may award 1 to 3 SMC-K additions. This page shows one award. VA excludes K additions to certain SMC levels, including O, Q and R.

Read VA’s designation and eligibility explanations

Compare all SMC levels

Sources for this page

Retrieved September 30, 2026. Published VA rates, official rules and eligibility terms control.