Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) notifies specific households about Medicare programs that may help with medical expenses. In 2025, it notified over 850,000 ZIP codes.
Many people with incomes below certain amounts are entitled to extra Medicare benefits. But as of 2025, a large number of people had not applied for help.
You may not know about the help available, or you may believe your household income is too high to qualify for help.
The SSA writes to people in specific ZIP codes who it believes could be entitled to Extra Help, a Medicare program that helps with prescription drug costs. The SSA also contacts people who may qualify for one of the Medicare savings programs (MSPs) that can help with the costs of different Medicare parts.
The SSA sends the following letters:
- Letter SSA-L447: This goes to people with Extra Help but who do not yet have an MSP. A sample letter is available in English and Spanish.
- The SSA sent 247,378 SSA-L447 letters in 2025.
- Letter SSA-L448: This goes to people who may be eligible for Extra Help and an MSP, but they currently do not have either. A sample of this letter is also available in English and Spanish.
- The SSA sent 604,099 SSA-L448 letters in 2025.
The SSA makes the mailing information available to community, state, and local organizations so they can more effectively reach people who may greatly benefit from these savings programs.
If you have limited income and resources, the Extra Help program can help you with your Part D prescription drug plan premiums, deductibles, and copayments.
In 2025, your typical drug costs with Extra Help are:
- Monthly premiums: $0
- Yearly deductible: $0
- Generic medications: Up to $4.90 per prescription
- Brand-name medications: Up to $12.15 per prescription
According to the SSA, Extra Help may provide up to $6,200 worth of assistance for each person, annually.
Extra Help income limits
To be eligible for Extra Help, you must meet specific income requirements based on the annual federal poverty level (FPL).
Income limits are higher if you live in Alaska or Hawaii than in other parts of the United States.
2025 income and resource limits for Alaska:
| Income limit | Resource limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $29,325 | $17,600 |
| Joint (married) | $39,645 | $35,130 |
2025 income and resource limits for Hawaii:
| Income limit | Resource limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $26,985 | $17,600 |
| Joint (married) | $36,480 | $35,130 |
2025 income and resource limits for the rest of the United States:
| Income limit | Resource limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $23,475 | $17,600 |
| Joint (married) | $31,725 | $35,130 |
The federal government funds four MSPs that Medicaid manages in each state. They are:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program: This program helps with Part A premiums and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-eligible items and services.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program: This program helps with Part B premiums. You must have both Part A and Part B to be eligible for this program.
- Qualifying Individual (QI) program: This program also helps with Part B premiums. You must have both Part A and Part B to be eligible for this program.
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) program: This program helps with Part A premiums only.
MSP income requirements in 2025 are:
| Individual income limit | Married or joint income limit | Individual resource limit | Married or joint resource limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB proram | $1,325 | $1,783 | $9,660 | $14,470 |
| SLMB program | $1,585 | $2,135 | $9,660 | $14,470 |
| QI program | $1,781 | $2,400 | $9,660 | $14,470 |
| QDWI program | $5,302 | $7,135 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
Medicare Advantage plans may also have added benefits, depending on your ZIP code.
Most Medicare beneficiaries live in counties where Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits not covered by Original Medicare, with more than 95% of plans including dental, hearing, fitness, and vision benefits. Other benefits may include:
- over-the-counter items
- meal benefit
- telehealth services and other remote access technologies
- acupuncture
- bathroom safety devices
- transport assistance
You can use Medicare’s helpful plan finder tool to search for Medicare Advantage plans in your ZIP code.
In 2025, the SSA sent letters to more than 850,000 ZIP codes, notifying residents that they may be eligible for help with their Medicare costs.
Many people do not claim the benefits for which they are entitled. So even if you think your income is too high to qualify, it’s worth applying to avoid missing out.