Medicare Savings Programs: 2026 income and resource limits
Medicare Savings Programs are state programs that help pay Medicare premiums, and in some cases deductibles and coinsurance. For 2026 the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program's federal limits are $1,350 a month of income and $9,950 of resources for an individual. Your state may allow more.
| Program | Helps pay for | Monthly income, individual | Monthly income, couple | Resources, individual | Resources, couple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | Part A premiums (if you do not have premium-free Part A); Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments | $1,350 | $1,824 | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Part B premiums only | $1,616 | $2,184 | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Part B premiums | $1,816 | $2,455 | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| Qualified Disabled & Working Individual (QDWI) | Part A premiums only | $5,405 | $7,299 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
Apply even if you think you earn too much
Medicare's advice is direct: even if you do not think you qualify, you should still apply. The limits above are federal ones. Your state may qualify you with higher income or resources, and some states do not count certain kinds or amounts of income or resources. You apply through your state, which decides which program fits.
QMB: the most help
If you are in the QMB program, Medicare providers are not allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments; you may get a bill for a small Medicaid copayment. Show both your Medicare card and your Medicaid or QMB card each time you get care.
SLMB and QI: help with the Part B premium
Both require Part A and Part B. QI has extra rules: you must apply every year, states approve applications first come, first served with priority for people who had QI the previous year, and QI is only for people who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage. The standard Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 a month, so this help is worth $2,434.80 a year at the standard premium.
QDWI: for people with a disability who returned to work
QDWI helps pay the Part A premium for people who have a disability, are working, and lost Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Part A because they returned to work.
Extra Help comes with it
People in QMB, SLMB or QI also get Extra Help with drug costs. Medicare says they pay no more than $12.65 in 2026 for each covered drug.
Check our work
Every figure on this page was read from these official documents. Follow the links and compare.
- Medicare Savings ProgramsMedicare.gov. Read on November 12, 2026.
- CostsMedicare.gov. Read on November 12, 2026.