Vet Pay Chart

SMC-R.1 rate (2026): $9,826.88 a month

Effective December 1, 2025. This is the published basic SMC rate for the selected dependents.

SMC-R.1 monthly rate

$9,826.88

$117,922.56 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$9,826.88
Total monthly compensation$9,826.88

Read the designation before the rate

The SMC level is assigned by VA for defined disabilities, combinations of losses or care needs. This table does not determine whether you qualify.

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.