Low-Income Subsidy for Part D


Extra Help is a Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug costs. You may qualify for Extra Help if your yearly income and resources are below these limits in 2021:

  • Single person - yearly income less than $19,320 (1,610 monthly) and less than $13,290 in other resources per year
  • Married person living with a spouse and no other dependents - yearly income less than $26,136 (2,178 monthly) and less than $26,520  in other resources per year

These amounts may change in 2022. You may qualify even if you have a higher income (like if you still work, live in Alaska or Hawaii, or have dependents living with you). Resources include money in a checking or savings account, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and Individual Retirement
Accounts (IRAs). Resources don’t include your home, car, household items, burial plot, up to $1,500 for burial expenses (per person), or life insurance policies.

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If you qualify for Extra Help and join a Medicare drug plan, you'll:

  • Get help paying your Medicare drug plan's costs.
  • Have no late enrollment penalty.

You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you have Medicare and meet any of these conditions:

  • You have full Medicaid coverage.
  • You get help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B premiums (in a Medicare Savings Program).
  • You get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Drug costs in 2019 for people who qualify for Extra Help will be no more than $3.40 for each generic drug and $8.50 for each brand-name drug.  

If you don't automatically qualify for Extra Help, you can apply anytime:

  • Call SHIIP toll-free at 1-855-408-1212 Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and one of our Medicare counselors can assist you.
  • Visit socialsecurity.gov/i1020 to apply online.
  • Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.  TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.


Related Content

https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip/medicare-prescription-drug-plan-part-d/low-income-subsidy-part-d