Extra Help, also called the Low-Income Subsidy or LIS, assists eligible people with Medicare Part D costs. It is not a separate medical insurance plan or a guarantee that every service will be free. Your Part D coverage and assistance status must work together.
Who qualifies automatically?
Medicare identifies three automatic pathways: full-benefit Medicaid, state help paying Part B premiums through a Medicare Savings Program, or Supplemental Security Income payments. Social Security retirement benefits alone do not establish automatic Extra Help eligibility.
Read the notice confirming your assistance, costs and any plan assignment. If you have qualifying benefits but no notice, contact Medicare rather than assume the records are already correct.
If you need to apply
Apply through Social Security's official Extra Help process. Medicare's published 2026 screening limits are:
| Situation | Annual income limit | Resource limit |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $23,940 | $18,090 |
| Married couple | $32,460 | $36,100 |
Counting exclusions and personal circumstances matter; Alaska and Hawaii have different income limits. Do not decide eligibility from a bank balance or gross income figure alone. Use current Social Security instructions and ask what income or resources count.
What happens after approval?
Extra Help assists with eligible Part D premiums, deductibles and cost sharing. You do not owe a Part D late-enrollment penalty while receiving it. If you lack a Part D plan, Medicare may enroll you and send a notice; review that plan rather than assume it meets every need.
You can apply for Extra Help and initiate a Medicare Savings Program application together. Social Security can share information with the state unless you decline that step. The state still makes its own determination.
Keep notices and respond to reviews
A notice about changed costs, loss of automatic qualification or a request for updated financial information requires attention. Follow its instructions and deadline; losing automatic status does not necessarily mean you cannot qualify through an application.
If a plan charges the wrong amount, contact it with your assistance documentation and ask Medicare for help correcting the record. Extra Help is unavailable in U.S. territories, where different assistance programs may apply.
Related coverage questions
- Medicare Savings Programs: Where to Start
- Medicare Part D: Coverage Choices, Enrollment and Costs
- Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty: Calculation and Appeals