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| Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage - The Ways You May Qualify For Extra Help |
If you think you may qualify for extra help, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the web, or apply at your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. There is no risk or cost to apply. Remember, even if you qualify, you still need to join a Medicare drug plan to get the extra help. Whose income and resources count?
What income counts? “Income” means any cash, goods, or services that can be used to meet your needs for food or shelter. Examples of income that is and isn’t counted by Social Security or your state to decide if you qualify include (but aren’t limited to) the following: Income counted: Wages, Earnings from self-employment, Social Security benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, Veterans benefits, Pensions, Annuities, Alimony, Rental income, Worker’s Compensation Income not counted: Income tax refunds, Assistance based on need, funded by a state or local government, Foster care payments, The value of expenses which a blind or disabled person needs to work . What resources count? Social Security or your state must count your resources to decide if you qualify for extra help. Your resources include cash and other things that you normally can convert to cash within 20 workdays. Examples of resources that are and aren’t counted when deciding if you qualify include (but aren’t limited to) the following: Resources counted: Accounts at financial institutions (like savings; checking; money market; time deposits or certificates of deposit; and retirement, such as individual retirement accounts (IRA) or 401(k) accounts), Stocks, Bonds, Savings bonds, Mutual fund shares, Promissory notes, the value of property that isn’t connected to your home Resources not counted: Life insurance policies you own with a combined face value of $1,500 or less ($3,000 or less for you and your spouse), the home you live in and the land it’s on, resources such as family heirlooms and wedding/engagement rings, property of a trade or business which is essential to your means of self-support, non-business property which is essential to your means of self-support, funds received and saved to pay for medical and/or social services. What happens after I apply for extra help? If you file a paper application for extra help, Social Security will send you a notice in the mail to let you know they got your application. If you apply online, you will get a receipt online. If your online or paper application isn’t complete, Social Security will send you a letter or call you asking for the missing information. Once Social Security or your state makes a decision about your application, you will get a letter in the mail telling you if you qualify, how much extra help you will get if you qualify, and what to do next. What if my application for extra help is denied? You have the right to appeal the decision. If you applied with Social Security, they will give you a hearing by telephone unless you choose a case review. Either way, Social Security will review those parts of the decision which you believe are wrong and will look at any new facts you provide. Social Security may also review those parts which you believe are correct. The person who will decide your case will be someone who wasn’t involved in the first decision.
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