MSP · 2026
Medicare Savings Program income limits 2026
Check the QMB, SLMB, QI, and Extra Help limits for your household. The calculator uses published state rules for California, New York, and Arizona, and federal limits for the other launch states. The state agency makes the final decision.
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Written and maintained by Abdul SamadPunjab, Pakistan
| QMB monthly income | $1,350.00 single / $1,824.00 coupleFederal baseline. California, New York, and Arizona use the state figures below. |
|---|---|
| SLMB monthly income | $1,616.00 single / $2,184.00 couplePays the Part B premium only. |
| QI monthly income | $1,816.00 single / $2,455.00 coupleFunding is limited and applications can close. |
| Extra Help annual income | $23,940.00 single / $32,460.00 couplePart D subsidy with separate resource limits. |
| QMB resource limit | $9,950.00 single / $14,910.00 coupleNot used in states that have no asset test. |
Your result
Federal limits for your state
Enter income and assets to see the result.
Enter income and assets to see the result
The calculator needs a state, household size, monthly income, and countable assets. It checks QMB, SLMB, QI, and Extra Help.
QMB income limit 2026
QMB is the MSP with the lowest income limit and the broadest payment. For a single person, the federal monthly income limit is $1,350.00. For a married couple, it is $1,824.00. The calculator applies the $20.00 monthly disregard from the data layer.
QMB can pay Part A and Part B premiums and Medicare cost sharing. The resource limit matters in states that use an asset test. Ask the agency which resources it counts.
SLMB income limit 2026
SLMB has a higher income limit than QMB and pays the Part B premium. The federal monthly limit is $1,616.00 for one person and $2,184.00 for a couple. You must have Part A.
Because SLMB pays only the Part B premium, a person who needs help with deductibles or coinsurance may need a different program or Medicaid. The agency can explain the difference.
QI income limit 2026
QI also pays the Part B premium, with a higher income limit than SLMB. The federal monthly limit is $1,816.00 for one person and $2,455.00 for a couple.
QI funding is limited. Some states run out of slots or use a waiting list, so apply early and confirm the current status with the state agency.
Extra Help income limits 2026
Extra Help is the Part D Low-Income Subsidy. The federal annual income limit is $23,940.00 for one person and $32,460.00 for a married couple. The resource limits are $18,090.00 and $36,100.00.
Extra Help can lower the Part D premium, deductible, and copays. It does not replace QMB or pay the Part B premium, so a person can be eligible for both an MSP and Extra Help.
The $18,090.00 and $36,100.00 resource figures include the standard $1,500.00 per person burial exclusion. The CMS base limits without that exclusion are $16,590.00 for one person and $33,100.00 for a couple. If you are close to either number, apply and let Social Security count the exclusion.
Medicare Savings Program asset limits 2026
The federal resource limits are $9,950.00 for a single person and $14,910.00 for a couple for QMB, SLMB, and QI. Extra Help uses separate limits of $18,090.00 and $36,100.00.
Arizona and New York are marked as having no asset test in this dataset. Other states may count assets differently or disregard some of them. The agency makes the final decision.
Medicare Savings Program income limits by state
Three launch states publish limits that differ from the federal table. New York sets a higher QMB limit and no longer runs SLMB as a separate program. California and Arizona publish their own income figures, and California uses much higher asset limits.
| State | QMB monthly | SLMB monthly | QI monthly | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1,330.00 / $1,804.00 | $1,596.00 / $2,165.00 | $1,796.00 / $2,436.00 | $130,000.00 / $195,000.00 |
| New York | $1,856.00 / $2,509.00 | Not offered | $2,494.00 / $3,375.00 | No asset test |
| Arizona | $1,330.00 / $1,804.00 | $1,596.00 / $2,164.00 | $1,796.00 / $2,435.00 | No asset test |
| Other launch states | Federal limits shown above | Federal limits | ||
The state table is checked against each state agency's published 2026 figures. The other seven launch states use the federal limits in this version. A state can still disregard part of your income, so apply through the agency even when a table result looks close.
QMB vs SLMB vs QI
| Program | Income test | What it pays |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | 100% of FPL, monthly test | Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered services. |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | 120% of FPL, monthly test | Part B premiums only. You must have Part A. |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | 135% of FPL, monthly test | Part B premiums only. Funding is limited and applications are first-come. |
| Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) | 150% of FPL, annual test | Part D premiums, deductible, and copays, with amounts depending on income. |
Start with the program that pays the most and has an income test you meet. The calculator shows the best federal fit, not a guarantee. The state agency decides which program to approve.
What changed for 2026 compared with 2025
| Rule | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Part B standard premiumThe premium value shown for an MSP estimate. | $185.00 | $202.90 |
| Federal poverty level, one personThe MSP income tests use the current FPL table. | $15,650.00 | $15,960.00 |
| Extra Help annual income, one personThe Extra Help test uses its own percentage of FPL. | $23,475.00 | $23,940.00 |
| Extra Help annual income, coupleHousehold size drives the couple limit. | $31,725.00 | $32,460.00 |
| Part D base premiumUsed only for the Extra Help estimate. | $36.78 | $38.99 |
Worked example
A single person in Texas reports $1,350.00 a month in income and $9,000.00 in countable assets. The calculator uses the federal QMB limit of $1,350.00 and the Extra Help annual limit of $23,940.00.
| Annual income | $16,200.00 |
|---|---|
| Share of federal poverty level | 101.5% |
| Likely programs | QMB + Extra Help |
| Estimated monthly value | $241.89 |
| Estimated annual value | $2,902.68 |
The table shows one-person and couple figures. For a household of three or more, the calculator applies the state's published FPL percentage and disregard. California also adds $65,000.00 of resource room for each person after the first.
The estimate combines the Part B standard premium with the Part D base premium. Actual Extra Help value depends on the drug plan and the income tier.
Three honest caveats
- The main table shows federal limits. California, New York, and Arizona use the state figures in the table above. Other states can disregard income, count assets differently, or use different program names. The agency's decision controls.
- This version checks QMB, SLMB, QI, and Extra Help. It does not check QDWI or every state-only program. Ask the agency about other paths.
- Extra Help is a Part D subsidy. It does not pay the Part B premium, and an MSP does not automatically pay drug costs. Ask about both.
MedicareClear links the state Medicaid agency for 10 launch states and the federal directory for the rest. The calculator applies the published state rules for California, New York, and Arizona, and the federal limits for the other seven launch states. A state may still be more generous, so apply through the agency even if a test here fails.
MedicareClear is independent. We do not sell plans, rank carriers, or claim an official connection to Medicare.gov or any government agency.
Frequently asked questions
Medicare Savings Program income limits 2026 single
For a single person, the federal QMB monthly income limit is $1,350.00, the SLMB limit is $1,616.00, and the QI limit is $1,816.00. Extra Help uses an annual limit of $23,940.00. State disregards can raise the effective limit.
QMB income limit 2026 single
The federal QMB monthly income limit for one person is $1,350.00. California publishes $1,330.00, New York $1,856.00, and Arizona $1,330.00. The resource limit is $9,950.00 in states that use the federal asset test. QMB can pay Part A and Part B premiums and cost sharing.
QMB income limit 2026 married
The federal QMB monthly income limit for a married couple is $1,824.00. The couple resource limit is $14,910.00. State rules and income disregards can change the result.
Extra Help income limits 2026 married
The federal Extra Help annual income limit for a married couple is $32,460.00. The couple resource limit is $36,100.00. Extra Help is a Part D subsidy, not an MSP that pays the Part B premium.
Do I qualify for Extra Help?
Extra Help uses its own income and resource tests. This calculator compares your annual income and countable assets with the federal limits, then shows whether Extra Help is a likely fit. Apply through Social Security for the final decision.
What documents should I bring?
Bring your Medicare card, Social Security award letter, recent proof of income, and statements for the countable assets you reported. Ask the state agency and Social Security before sending originals or using a portal you have not verified.
Related help
Source table
| Figure | Value used | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| QMB, SLMB, and QI income limits | $1,350.00 to $2,455.00 | Medicare.gov MSP pageChecked |
| MSP resource limits | $9,950.00 single / $14,910.00 couple | Medicare.gov MSP pageChecked |
| California MSP income and asset limits | $1,330.00 QMB single / $130,000.00 assets | California DHCS MSP pageChecked |
| New York QMB and QI limits | $1,856.00 QMB single / $2,494.00 QI single | New York State Department of HealthChecked |
| Arizona MSP limits | $1,330.00 QMB single / $1,796.00 QI single | AHCCCS eligibility chartChecked |
| Extra Help income and resource limits | $23,940.00 single / $32,460.00 couple | Medicare.gov drug cost helpChecked |
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 | CMS Part B premium fact sheetChecked |
| Part D base beneficiary premium | $38.99 | CMS Part B premium fact sheetChecked |
Cite this page
If you cite this page, use the reference below. It shows the date the figures were last checked so readers can judge whether they are current.
MedicareClear. “Medicare Savings Program income limits 2026.” Figures checked October 28, 2026. https://medicareclear.top/calculators/medicare-savings-program-extra-help
Print the checklist for a parent or keep a copy for your records. If a figure looks wrong, send the page and the official source you used.
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MedicareClear is independent and is not connected to Medicare.gov, Social Security, or any state Medicaid agency. This page is educational and does not provide legal or financial advice. The state agency makes the final eligibility decision.
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