What is the income limit for extra help?
To qualify for extra help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs in 2026, your annual income must be less than $23,940 for an individual ($32,460 for a married couple living together).Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples where your income may be higher are if you or your spouse:
See: Additional information for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Click on the year below to change the above qualification figures for that year:
2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
If you receive Extra-Help (also known as LIS) or are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, there are Medicare Prescription Drug plans in your state that will qualify for the $0 monthly premium. Click on your state below to see PDP plans that qualify for the $0 premium:
AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY
Also see:
- 2026 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (FPL): 2026/2027 LIS Qualifications and Benefits
- 2027 Low-Income Subsidy Benchmark Premium Amounts (includes 2026 - 2006 for comparison)
- What is the income limit for extra help?
- What does not count toward the income limit?
- What is the resource limit?
- What does not count as a resource?
- Income and Resources (Assets) Worksheet
- CMS Guide to LIS Consumer Mailings
- What will plans be like in 2027
(Source: Social Security Administration: Understanding The Extra Help With Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan publication 10508, SSA Publication No. 05-10115, January 2011. Additional examples and links from this site)