The Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, sometimes referred to as Extra Help, assists people with limited income and resources with paying for their prescriptions.
Extra Help is administered by the Social Security Administration and is estimated to have an average value of $5,300 per year per beneficiary.
Income limits are set based on the federal poverty guidelines which were updated in January. The Extra Help income limit for partial help for a single individual is $22,110 per year or $1,843 per month. The income limit for a couple is $29,820 per year, or $2,485 per month.
Resources or asset limits to receive full Extra Help are $9,090 for an individual and $13,630 for a couple. Partial help limits are $15,160 for an individual and $30,240 for a couple. These limits do not include a $1,500 burial allowance.
Beneficiaries must meet both income and asset guidelines. If you or someone you know thinks they might qualify or have questions, contact Brenda at 785-346-2521 or bklangdon@ksu.edu.
By: Brenda Langdon