Medicare prescription help
Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy or LIS, can lower Medicare prescription drug premiums, deductibles, and copayments for people who meet the program rules.
2026 eligibility screen
Medicare publishes the following 2026 limits for most applicants in the continental United States. Social Security makes the formal eligibility decision and applies its countable-income and resource rules.
| Situation | 2026 income limit | 2026 resource limit |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $23,940 per year | $18,090 |
| Married couple living together | $32,460 per year | $36,100 |
Social Security's published 2026 resource limit includes up to $1,500 per person that can be excluded when the applicant expects to use resources for funeral or burial expenses. Without that exclusion, the countable-resource figures are lower.
Social Security applies exclusions and countable-income rules when it processes an application. If you are close to the published limits, complete the application and let Social Security make the determination.
Applying through Social Security
Social Security administers the Extra Help application. The program is separate from choosing a Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Part D plan.
Social Security advises applicants to have bank statements, tax returns, retirement-account balances, pension information, Veterans benefits, annuities, and Railroad Retirement information available for themselves and a spouse when applicable.
You can complete the Extra Help application through Social Security or call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply. Social Security also uses Form SSA-1020 for the paper application.
Social Security sends a written decision. If approved, the notice explains the subsidy and Medicare coordinates the prescription-drug coverage rules that apply to you.
Extra Help reduces eligible Part D costs, but each plan still has its own formulary and pharmacy network. Check your prescriptions and pharmacies before relying on the subsidy alone.
Automatic qualification
Medicare can grant Extra Help automatically when it receives qualifying information from Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or Supplemental Security Income.
If you have Medicare and full Medicaid coverage, Medicare uses that status to qualify you for Extra Help.
QMB, SLMB, or QI eligibility also qualifies you for Extra Help with Medicare prescription-drug costs.
People receiving Supplemental Security Income from Social Security while also having Medicare can qualify automatically for Extra Help.
If you qualify for Extra Help and do not already have Medicare drug coverage, Medicare can enroll you in a Part D plan. You can choose a different Medicare drug plan if another available option better covers your prescriptions.
Keep learning
These pages connect Extra Help to the rest of Medicare coverage.
Our four-step process
We use the approved subsidy level while reviewing prescriptions, pharmacies, and medical coverage.
Review Medicare status, prescriptions, pharmacies, and any Medicaid, MSP, or Extra Help notice.
Compare drug coverage using the subsidy status that has actually been approved.
Verify formulary, pharmacy network, and medical coverage before enrollment.
Recheck the drug plan and assistance status when prescriptions or program rules change.
Preferred sources
This page uses current Medicare and Social Security Extra Help guidance.
2026 Extra Help income and resource limits, $0 premium and deductible, prescription copay limits, and automatic enrollment information.
Extra Help application process, resource rules, SSA-1020, and 2026 LIS program standards.
We can review prescriptions, pharmacies, and Medicare coverage using the subsidy level you have been approved for.
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