Quick answer: In 2026, you may qualify for Medicare Extra Help if your yearly income is below $23,940 (single) or $32,460 (married and living together) and your resources are below $18,090 (single) or $36,100 (married and living together). You qualify automatically if you have full-benefit Medicaid, get help from a Medicare Savings Program, or receive SSI. Social Security estimates Extra Help is worth about $5,700 a year.
Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), lowers what you pay for a Medicare drug plan. Here are the limits, what counts, what the program pays and how to apply.
2026 Extra Help Income and Resource Limits
| Limit | Individual | Married couple living together |
|---|---|---|
| Annual income | $23,940 | $32,460 |
| Resources | $18,090 | $36,100 |
These figures come from Medicare.gov and Social Security’s Extra Help publication. The income limits equal 150% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, and the limits are updated each year. Alaska and Hawaii have separate limits. You may still qualify with income above the limit if you support family members who live with you, have earnings from work, or live in Alaska or Hawaii.
One Level of Extra Help Since 2024
Extra Help used to come in two levels, full and partial. Beginning in 2024, the full-benefit income limit rose to 150% of the federal poverty level and the partial level was eliminated, as AARP reports. Everyone who qualifies now receives the same full benefit, which means no Part D deductible, capped copays, and no late enrollment penalty while you have Extra Help.
What Counts as Resources
Resources that count:
- Bank accounts, including checking, savings and CDs
- Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
- Individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
- Cash on hand
- Real estate other than your primary home
Resources that do not count:
- The home you live in
- Vehicles
- Personal possessions and household furnishings
- Life insurance policies
- Burial expenses and money set aside for burial
Many people assume owning a home or a car disqualifies them. It does not, so it is worth checking even if you own both.
Who Qualifies Automatically
You do not need to apply separately if you have any of these:
- Full-benefit Medicaid
- Help from your state paying your Part B premiums through a Medicare Savings Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments from Social Security
If you are not sure whether you are in one of these groups, you can apply for Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program at the same time.
Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid: What Each Does
People often mix these programs up. They overlap, but each pays for different things.
| Program | What it helps pay for | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) | Your drug plan premium (up to a benchmark), deductible and copays | Social Security |
| Medicare Savings Programs | Your Part B premium and, in some programs, other Medicare costs | Your state Medicaid office |
| Medicaid (full benefit) | Broader health coverage, with benefits that vary by state | Your state Medicaid office |
Because qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program or full-benefit Medicaid also qualifies you for Extra Help automatically, it can be worth checking your state’s rules if your income or resources are near the limits above.
What Extra Help Pays in 2027
Medicare.gov lists these amounts for 2027:
| Cost | With Extra Help |
|---|---|
| Plan deductible | $0 |
| Generic drugs at participating pharmacies | Up to $5.80 each |
| Brand-name drugs at participating pharmacies | Up to $14.40 each |
| After total drug costs reach $2,400 | $0 for covered drugs |
| Part D late enrollment penalty | None while you receive Extra Help |
Your exact costs depend on your level of Extra Help and the plan you choose. Premium help is limited to a regional benchmark amount, so a plan priced above the benchmark can leave a remaining premium. See our guide to Medicare Part D changes for 2027 for the new $2,400 cap and $700 deductible limit.
What a Year of Copays Could Look Like
As an illustration, suppose you fill three generic prescriptions and one brand-name prescription every month and pay the highest 2027 Extra Help copays listed above. That is three copays of $5.80 plus one of $14.40, or $31.80 a month and $381.60 for the year. People with Medicaid or in a Medicare Savings Program may pay even less. Your actual costs depend on your plan, your drugs and your level of Extra Help.
How to Apply for Extra Help
- Apply with Social Security. Apply online at ssa.gov, call 1-800-772-1213, request a paper application, or make an appointment at your local Social Security office.
- Get free help if you need it. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you complete the application.
- Enroll in a drug plan. The application does not enroll you in a plan, and Extra Help does not begin until you are enrolled in a Medicare drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.
- Report changes. Social Security periodically reviews eligibility, so update them if your income or resources change.
What to Have Ready Before You Apply
The Social Security application asks about your income and about your savings, investments and other resources, and your spouse’s if you are married and living together. Gathering recent bank and investment statements and income records beforehand makes the form faster to complete. If you need help, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free counseling.
Changing Drug Plans When You Have Extra Help
Most people can switch Medicare drug plans only at certain times of year. Since 2025, people with Medicaid or Extra Help can use a monthly special enrollment period to switch between stand-alone drug plans, or to leave a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan, as KFF explains. The monthly option cannot be used to join a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, which is limited to the annual Open Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Open Enrollment still runs October 15 through December 7, and it is a good time to compare plans even if you have Extra Help. Our Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2027 guide explains the dates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not applying because you own a home or car. Neither counts toward the resource limit.
- Treating the application as enrollment. You still need to join a drug plan.
- Missing a Medicare Savings Program. If your state pays your Part B premium, you qualify for Extra Help automatically.
- Not updating Social Security. Income and resource changes can affect eligibility.
Get Help Finding the Right Plan
If you qualify for Extra Help, choosing a plan that matches your prescriptions and pharmacy still matters. All Solution Plus can compare plans where you live at no cost to you. Learn more about our Medicare Extra Help (LIS) program.
Talk to a licensed agent about Extra Help and drug plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Medicare Extra Help in 2026?
The 2026 annual income limit is $23,940 for an individual and $32,460 for a married couple living together. You may still qualify with higher income if you support family members who live with you, have earnings from work, or live in Alaska or Hawaii.
What is the resource limit for Extra Help?
The 2026 resource limit is $18,090 for an individual and $36,100 for a married couple living together. Your home, vehicles, personal possessions, life insurance and burial funds do not count.
Do I automatically qualify for Extra Help?
Yes, if you have full-benefit Medicaid, get help from a Medicare Savings Program with your Part B premium, or receive SSI. Otherwise you apply through Social Security.
Does owning a home disqualify me from Extra Help?
No. The home you live in does not count toward the resource limit, and neither do your vehicles. Real estate other than your primary home does count.
Does Extra Help work with Medicare Advantage plans?
Yes. Extra Help applies to Medicare drug coverage, including drug coverage included in a Medicare Advantage plan. You must be enrolled in a plan with Part D coverage for it to take effect.
Does Extra Help pay my whole Part D premium?
Not always. Extra Help covers the premium only up to a regional benchmark amount, so a plan that costs more than the benchmark can leave you with part of the premium. Comparing plans can help you find one at or below the benchmark.
Can I switch drug plans at any time if I have Extra Help?
Since 2025, people with Medicaid or Extra Help can use a monthly special enrollment period to change stand-alone drug plans or to leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare with a drug plan. It cannot be used to join a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.
Will the Extra Help limits change in 2027?
Yes, they are expected to. The income limit equals 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, which are updated each year, so the 2027 limits will follow the new guidelines.
How do I apply for Extra Help?
Apply with Social Security online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can help you fill out the form for free.
This article is general educational information, not personalized advice. Limits, benefits and eligibility rules are set by Social Security and CMS and change over time. All Solution Plus is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. See our Medicare disclaimer.
