IL · Medicare Savings Programs + Extra Help
Illinois
This state does not count savings or other resources when deciding Medicare Savings Program eligibility — only income.
Illinois does not apply an asset test to the Medicare Savings Programs — eligibility is income-based only.
Federal Extra Help is the same in Illinois
The 2026 federal Extra Help income limit is about $23,475/year (single) and $31,725/year (couple). That part doesn’t change by state. What changes below is Illinois’s Medicare Savings Programs — which can qualify you even if you’re above the federal Extra Help line.
Illinois’s Medicare Savings Programs
Illinois offers the four federal program tiers. The figures below are the 2026 federal baseline; Illinois is more generous than the baseline — see the note above. Confirm the exact current figure with the state or a SHIP counselor.
QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
At or below 100% FPL (+ $20 disregard)Part A & Part B premiums, plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. The most comprehensive MSP. QMB enrollees are also automatically enrolled in full Extra Help.
- Income — individual
- $1,350/mo
- Income — couple
- $1,824/mo
- Resources — individual
- No asset test
- Resources — couple
- No asset test
SLMB — Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
Between 100% and 120% FPLPart B premium only. SLMB enrollees are automatically enrolled in full Extra Help.
- Income — individual
- $1,616/mo
- Income — couple
- $2,184/mo
- Resources — individual
- No asset test
- Resources — couple
- No asset test
QI — Qualifying Individual
Between 120% and 135% FPLPart B premium only. Limited annual funding — apply early each year. QI enrollees are automatically enrolled in full Extra Help.
- Income — individual
- $1,816/mo
- Income — couple
- $2,455/mo
- Resources — individual
- No asset test
- Resources — couple
- No asset test
QDWI — Qualified Disabled & Working Individual
At or below 200% FPL (with earned-income disregards)Part A premium for certain people under 65 who returned to work and lost premium-free Part A. QDWI does NOT automatically confer Extra Help. Income limit is up to 200% FPL but earned-income disregards raise the effective ceiling — check with your state.
- Income — individual
- See note
- Income — couple
- See note
- Resources — individual
- No asset test
- Resources — couple
- No asset test
Federal baseline MSP resource limits are CPI-adjusted annually; a handful of states disregard resources entirely. Confirm the current figure with your state Medicaid office or SHIP counselor before relying on it.
How to apply in Illinois
- State Medicaid agency (Medicare Savings Programs)
- Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services
- Free local help
- Illinois SHIP
- Federal Extra Help
- Apply with SSA (Form SSA-1020) — or see the step-by-step guide.
Estimate your eligibility
Pre-filled for Illinois. Runs on your device — nothing logged.
This runs on your device. Your income and savings are never sent to us, stored, or logged.
Sources for this page
- 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 CY2026 LIS Resource & Cost-Sharing Memo (Oct 31, 2025) (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026