The Extra Help Program – or the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) – helps qualified Medicare recipients pay for their Medicare prescription drug program costs, such as premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.

It’s important to consider that any level of assistance provides:
• Elimination of a Part D coverage gap (donut hole)
• The opportunity to change Prescription Drug Plans at any time
• A reduced Part D deductible
• A reduced Part D copay
• A reduced cost of the drugs
• Elimination of a Late Enrollment Penalty if, when you apply for LIS, you haven’t already signed up for a Part D plan

People who qualify for full Extra Help/LIS assistance will also receive these benefits:
• No Part D premium, based on plan selection
• No Part D deductible
• The lowest Part D copays, ranging from $3.40 up to $8.50

Eligibility guidelines for LIS are based on income and assets and change from year to year. The 2019 eligibility guidelines for this type of assistance are:

Limits for an individual:
Income of less than – $1,405 per month; and Assets less than – $16,862.00

Limits for a married couple:
Income of less than – $1,902.00 per month; and Assets less than – $22,829.00

Assets that are NOT counted in determining eligibility are your home, car and burial assets of up to $1,500 in value per person.

How to apply:

You will need to have the following documentation with you as you apply:
• Social Security card;
• bank account statements, including checking, savings, and certificates of deposit;
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), stocks, bonds, savings bonds, mutual funds, other investment statements;
• tax returns;
• payroll slips; and
• your most recent Social Security benefits award letters or statements for Railroad Retirement benefits, Veterans Benefits, pensions and annuities.

There are two ways to apply:

1. You may apply by going to the Social Security Administration’s website and filling out the application yourself.

Social Security Administration Medicare Part D LIS Application (Click Here)

2. Call SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, 1-855-408-1212, on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for assistance completing the application. Applications are processed and eligibility is determined by the Social Security Administration. SSA will notify you if you qualify for assistance and, if you do, at what level.

 Piedmont Triad SHIIP Coordinators by County