2026 Extra Help limits
| Household | Yearly income below about | Resources up to | Resources up to, with burial funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $23,940 | $16,590 | $18,090 |
| Married, living together | $32,460 | $33,100 | $36,100 |
The income limit is 150% of the federal poverty level and changes each year when the poverty guidelines are updated. Resources include bank accounts, stocks, bonds and real estate other than your home; your home, one car, household goods and burial plots don't count, and up to $1,500 per person set aside for funeral or burial costs is excluded.
What Extra Help pays for in 2026
- No Part D deductible.
- No more than $5.10 for each generic drug and $12.65 for each brand-name drug (less for some people with full OHP).
- Help with your drug plan premium: no premium in some plans, a lower premium in others.
- No Part D late enrollment penalty.
- A Special Enrollment Period to switch to a stand-alone drug plan once a month.
Extra Help and Oregon programs
You get Extra Help automatically, without applying, if you have full OHP and Medicare, are in an Oregon Medicare Savings Program, or get SSI. Oregon's Medicare Savings Programs have no asset limit, so people whose savings are too high for Extra Help may still qualify for one through ODHS, and the Medicare Savings Program brings Extra Help with it. See Extra Help in Oregon, Medicare Savings Programs in Oregon and Medicare and OHP.
Sources
- CMS — CY 2026 resource and cost-sharing limits for the Low-Income Subsidy (PDF)
- Social Security POMS HI 03001.020 — Extra Help income limits
- Social Security — Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
- Medicare.gov — Help with drug costs
- Oregon Department of Human Services — Medicare Savings Programs
Frequently asked questions
Who gets Extra Help automatically?
People with full Medicaid (in Oregon, full OHP), people in a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB or QI) and people who get Supplemental Security Income. Medicare sends them a purple letter, and they don't need to apply.
My savings are over the Extra Help limit. Is there another option in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon's Medicare Savings Programs have no asset limit, only an income limit of up to 135% of the federal poverty level, and joining one gives you Extra Help automatically. Apply through ODHS at one.oregon.gov or 1-800-699-9075.
What counts as resources?
Money in checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and IRAs, and real estate other than your home. Your home, one car, household goods, personal belongings and burial plots don't count.
How do I apply?
Online at ssa.gov/extrahelp, by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or at a Social Security office. Social Security decides and sends you a letter.
Medicare in your Oregon county
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