Medicare Extra Help / LIS — 2026 income limits and how to qualify
Extra Help (officially the Low Income Subsidy, or LIS) is a Medicare program that dramatically reduces your prescription drug costs. If you qualify, you'll pay no more than $4-$12 per generic and $11-$30 per brand-name drug — regardless of your plan's tier structure. Here's how to know if you qualify in 2026 and how to apply.
Key takeaways
- 2026 income limit: Up to $23,895/year (single) or $32,335 (married). Higher in Alaska + Hawaii.
- 2026 resource limit: Up to $17,600 (single) or $35,130 (married) in countable assets — your home and car don't count.
- Benefit: Generic copays max $4-$12, brand-name copays max $11-$30, no Part D premium for benchmark plans.
- Auto-enrollment: If you have Medicaid + Medicare (dual eligible), you're automatically enrolled in Extra Help.
What is Medicare Extra Help?
Extra Help — officially called the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) — is a federal program that helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for prescription drug coverage (Part D).
If you qualify, you get:
- Reduced or zero premium for benchmark Part D plans in your state
- Reduced or zero deductible
- Capped copays: $4-$12 per generic, $11-$30 per brand-name drug regardless of the plan's normal tier structure
- No coverage gap (the old "donut hole" doesn't apply)
- Late enrollment penalty waived if you missed initial Part D enrollment
For someone on multiple expensive medications, Extra Help can be worth $5,000-$15,000/year in saved drug costs.
2026 Extra Help income limits
Income limits are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL):
- Single, contiguous 48 states + DC: Up to $23,895/year ($1,991/month) qualifies for full LIS.
- Married, contiguous 48 states + DC: Up to $32,335/year ($2,694/month) qualifies for full LIS.
- Alaska: Income limits are ~25% higher to reflect cost of living.
- Hawaii: Income limits are ~15% higher.
- Partial LIS may be available for incomes between full-LIS limits and 150% FPL.
2026 Extra Help resource (asset) limits
Resource limits include your bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and other countable assets:
- Single: Up to $17,600 in countable assets
- Married: Up to $35,130 in countable assets
What doesn't count: Your primary home, one vehicle, household furnishings, life insurance with face value under $1,500, burial plots, and up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses.
Who is automatically enrolled
You're automatically enrolled in Extra Help if any of these apply:
- You have full Medicaid in addition to Medicare (dual-eligible).
- You receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from Social Security.
- You receive help paying Medicare premiums through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) like QMB, SLMB, or QI.
If you're auto-enrolled, you'll get a notice in the mail. The benefit applies for the rest of the calendar year and renews automatically as long as you remain eligible.
How to apply if you're not auto-enrolled
Three ways to apply:
- Online: ssa.gov/extrahelp — takes about 30 minutes, no documents to mail.
- By phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- In person: Visit your local Social Security office (find it at ssa.gov/locator).
- SHIP counselor: Free state-based Medicare counseling can walk you through the application — find your state's SHIP at shiphelp.org.
Have ready: your Social Security number, address, citizenship status, household income (last year's tax return helps), and a rough total of your countable assets. The application is free.
Common questions
What is Medicare Extra Help (LIS)?
Who qualifies for Medicare Extra Help in 2026?
How do I apply for Extra Help?
How much will I pay for drugs with Extra Help?
Questions about your specific situation?
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