Extra Help Eligibility (2025 Limits)
Extra Help — the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) — is based on your income and resources. The partial subsidy was eliminated in 2024, so today there is a single level of full Extra Help for everyone who qualifies. Here are the 2025 limits and how they are measured.
2025 income and resource limits
Full Extra Help is available if your income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and your countable resources fall under the limits shown below. These are the 2025 figures and they are updated each year with the Federal Poverty Level.
| Household | Annual income limit (2025) | Resource limit (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Single person | $23,475 | $17,600 |
| Married couple (living together) | $31,725 | $35,130 |
How income is counted
Extra Help does not use the same "MAGI" (modified adjusted gross income) figure that the IRS uses for Medicare premiums and IRMAA. Instead, Social Security looks at your counted income — wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, and similar money coming in — and then excludes part of it and lets you deduct certain expenses (for example, a portion of earned income and some work expenses). Because of these exclusions, you may still qualify even if your gross income looks slightly above the limit, so it is always worth applying.
What counts as a resource
Countable resources are things you own that can be turned into cash, such as:
- Money in checking and savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
- Real estate other than the home you live in
Several things do not count, including the home you live in and the land it sits on, one vehicle, your personal belongings and household goods, burial plots, and a limited amount set aside for burial expenses.
Who automatically qualifies
Some people are "deemed" eligible and get Extra Help automatically, with no separate application needed. You automatically qualify if you have:
- Full Medicaid coverage
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- A Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI)
If you fall into one of these groups, Medicare mails you a notice and you are enrolled in Extra Help. Everyone else can apply directly — see how to apply for Extra Help. To understand how the related state programs work, see Extra Help vs. Medicare Savings Programs.
Source: Social Security Administration / CMS, 2025 Low-Income Subsidy guidelines (updated annually). Limits update annually; confirm the current year at ssa.gov/extrahelp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2025 income limits for Extra Help?
In 2025, full Extra Help is available up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level — about $23,475 per year for a single person and $31,725 for a married couple living together. These figures update annually.
What are the resource (asset) limits?
In 2025 your countable resources must be under $17,600 for a single person or $35,130 for a married couple. Your home, car, and personal belongings do not count.
Do I automatically qualify for Extra Help?
Yes, you automatically qualify (with no separate application) if you have full Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program such as QMB, SLMB, or QI.
Can I qualify if my income is slightly above the limit?
Possibly. Social Security excludes some income and lets you deduct certain expenses, so apply even if you think you are slightly over. It is free to apply and there is no penalty for applying.
Talk to a Licensed Medicare Advisor
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Get My Free ReviewThis information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Medicare rules, premiums, and income thresholds change annually — confirm current figures with Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, or a licensed advisor. HealthPlan Connect is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program or any government agency. Last reviewed 2026-06-11 by Lynsey Brennan, Licensed Medicare Advisor (FL #G007269).