Severely disabled veterans and their survivors depend on federal benefits that recognize both the economic and non-economic consequences of service-connected disabilities. Yet these benefits, particularly Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), have not kept pace with the realities faced by those who rely on them the most.

SMC is one of the most important ancillary benefits provided to veterans with profound service-connected disabilities. Unlike other forms of compensation, SMC acknowledges non-economic factors such as personal hardship, profound functional loss, and lifelong social inadaptability. For a veteran who has lost the use of their lower extremities, this benefit recognizes not just reduced earnings potential but also the tremendous and permanent disruptions to mobility, independence, and quality of life. While no benefit can fully compensate for these life-altering disabilities, SMC is essential to offsetting some portion of the daily challenges these veterans endure.

DIC serves as a safeguard for survivors, helping ensure that the death of a service-disabled veteran does not lead to financial devastation. In 2025, DIC begins at $1,653.07 per month, with modest adjustments for dependents. Since its creation in 1993, DIC has seen only minimal increases, leaving many surviving spouses struggling to maintain economic stability after their loved one passes.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 6047) would meaningfully improve both benefits. The bill increases SMC rates for categories R1, R2, and T, the levels reserved for veterans with the most catastrophic disabilities, and raises DIC by one additional percent annually for five years, on top of the standard cost-of-living adjustment. These changes would represent the most significant improvements to survivor benefits and high-level SMC in decades.

PVA Position:

Congress must pass H.R. 6047. PVA strongly supports the provisions that increase SMC for our most severely disabled members and raise DIC rates for surviving families. For years, we have advocated for updating these benefits to reflect the true scope of the hardships faced by catastrophically disabled veterans and their loved ones. This legislation is a long-overdue step toward honoring their sacrifice and ensuring that both veterans and survivors receive the dignity, stability, and support they deserve.