Extra Help Income Limits 2026: $23,940 Single, $32,460 Married
The 2026 limits are 150% of the federal poverty level for income, plus a cap on resources. Both have to be met. (Medicare.gov: help with drug costs)
| 2026 | Single | Married, living together |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly income | $23,940 | $32,460 |
| Resources | $18,090 | $36,100 |
| Poverty level (100%) | $15,960 | $21,640 |
Resources include bank accounts, stocks, bonds and retirement accounts. Your home and one car don't count (HHS poverty guidelines).
Low Income Subsidy Medicare: What It Pays For
Extra Help covers your Part D plan premium up to a benchmark amount in your state, the annual deductible ($615 in 2026), and holds copays to a few dollars per prescription. It also wipes out any Part D late enrollment penalty. (Medicare.gov: Part D costs)
You get it automatically — no application — if you have:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- A Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB or QI)
Our take: apply even if you're a little over
Social Security doesn't compare your raw income with the limit: it excludes some of it first, such as part of any wages. People slightly above the table often qualify, and applying costs nothing. While you're at it, check the Medicare Savings Program, which can also pay your Part B premium. Big drug bills? The Prescription Payment Plan spreads them out, and Extra Help also clears any Part D late penalty.