Sources
Every figure, traced to its source
We cite primary CMS and SSA sources, with a last-verified date on each. Where a state-specific figure can't be primary-sourced to the dollar, we say so and point to the state or SHIP.
Federal Extra Help (LIS) — 2026 limits & cost-sharing
- CMS CY2026 LIS Resource & Cost-Sharing Memo (Oct 31, 2025) (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- SSA Pub. 05-10508 — Understanding Extra Help (Jan 2026) (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- CMS — Eligibility for the Low-Income Subsidy (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- SSA — Apply for Extra Help (Form SSA-1020) (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- SSA i1020 — online Extra Help application (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
Medicare Savings Programs & dual eligibility
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Savings Programs (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- NCOA — 2026 Medicare Savings Programs eligibility chart (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- Medicare Interactive — MSP income & asset limits (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
- CMS — Dually eligible (auto-LIS) beneficiaries (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
Free help
- SHIP National Technical Assistance Center — find your local SHIP (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026
A note on state figures
Federal Extra Help eligibility is uniform nationwide and fully cited above. State Medicare Savings Programs vary, and many states are more generous than the federal baseline. Rather than assert a verified dollar limit for all 51 jurisdictions without reading each state’s Medicaid manual, our state pages carry a documented framework classification and direct you to the state Medicaid agency and your SHIP for the exact current figure. That is the honest limit of what we can verify from here.
Image credits
- Photo by Maxim Matveev on Pexels — Pexels License (free commercial use)
- Photo by Lauma Augstkalne on Pexels — Pexels License (free commercial use)
- Photo by Tim Heckmann on Pexels — Pexels License (free commercial use)