What Is Extra Help? 2026 Income Limits & How to Apply
Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) cuts Medicare prescription costs to near zero — about $5,700/year in value. See the 2026 income and resource limits and how to apply.
Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), is a federal program that dramatically lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare.
What Extra Help pays for
With Extra Help you get a $0 Part D premium, $0 deductible, and only small copays on your medications — a benefit worth roughly $5,700 a year.
2026 income and resource limits
Income limits are about $23,940 for a single person and $32,460 for a married couple in 2026. Your savings must be under $18,090 (single) or $36,100 (married). Your home and one car never count.
How to apply
Applying is free through Social Security at ssa.gov/extrahelp or by phone at 1-800-772-1213. If you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you're enrolled in Extra Help automatically.
See what you qualify for — free, ~2 minutes
Run the free check →Frequently asked questions
How much is Extra Help worth?
About $5,700 a year — it brings your Part D premium and deductible to $0 and leaves only small copays.
What are the 2026 Extra Help income limits?
Roughly $23,940 a year for a single person and $32,460 for a married couple, with savings under $18,090 / $36,100. Some income and savings don't count, so it's worth applying even if you're close.
Updated July 2026. Sources: Medicare.gov, SSA, CMS (2026). Estimates — verify with SSA and your state.