How to Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help
Extra Help lowers Part D prescription costs for people with limited income and resources.
Start here
Apply through Social Security’s official Extra Help application online, or call Social Security at 800-772-1213 for a phone or office appointment. You may apply before or after enrolling in Part D. People who already have Medicaid, an MSP, or Medicare plus SSI may qualify automatically and receive a Medicare notice instead.
What to have in front of you
- Bank statements and recent tax information
- IRA, 401(k), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment balances
- Pension, veterans benefit, annuity, Railroad Retirement, and Social Security information
- Wages, self-employment, rental, alimony, workers compensation, and other income
- Spouse’s financial information if married and living together
What to say when someone answers
“I want to apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help. Please tell me whether I am already deemed eligible, which financial records apply to my household, and whether my information will be sent to Florida to start a Medicare Savings Program application.”
Small but useful: Write down the person’s name, the date, the exact next step, and when you should call again.
Do this in order
- 1
Check for a recent purple, yellow, green, or other Medicare Extra Help notice before filing a duplicate application.
- 2
Complete Social Security’s application with current income and resources; use the official worksheet if you need to gather amounts first.
- 3
Choose whether Social Security may transmit information to Florida to initiate an MSP application. Keeping that route open can screen for help with other Medicare costs.
- 4
Save the confirmation and watch for the Social Security decision and Medicare drug-plan notices.
What happens next
Social Security decides Extra Help eligibility and sends a notice. Medicare then applies the subsidy to Part D coverage; if the person has no drug plan, Medicare may enroll them in one and send a separate notice. Review the plan’s pharmacy and drug coverage rather than ignoring that letter.
If the first answer doesn’t solve it
Call Social Security with the application confirmation. If approved but the pharmacy price has not changed, call the Part D plan and Medicare with the approval notice and effective date. SHINE can help compare the plan after approval.
Official sources
- Social Security—Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help
- Medicare help with prescription drug costs
- Medicare Savings Programs
Checked August 4, 2026. Programs, hours, funding, and waitlists can change. Confirm details directly before relying on them.