Maryland residents on Medicare who struggle with prescription drug costs have two overlapping paths to relief in 2026: the federal Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) program run by the Social Security Administration, and Maryland's own Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, and QI) run through the Maryland Department of Human Services. Both can lower your Part D costs, and qualifying for one often means you automatically qualify for the other.
Maryland's 2026 income limits for Extra Help are broken down below, along with why Maryland's decision to drop the asset test for its Medicare Savings Programs matters even if your savings exceed the federal Extra Help resource limit, and exactly how to apply through Social Security or the Maryland Department of Human Services. For the broader national eligibility rules, see who qualifies for Extra Help nationwide.
Direct Answer
It depends on your income and resources. In 2026, Maryland residents qualify for Medicare Extra Help if their annual income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, $23,940 for one person or $32,460 for a married couple, and if resources stay under $16,590 single or $33,100 married. Marylanders who qualify for a Maryland Medicare Savings Program, which has no asset test, automatically qualify for Extra Help too.
Maryland Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI): No Asset Test in 2026
Maryland eliminated the resource (asset) test for its three Medicare Savings Programs, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), and Qualifying Individual (QI). That means a Maryland resident's bank accounts, retirement savings, and investments do not count against eligibility for these state-run programs in 2026, only income matters. This is more generous than the federal Extra Help resource test described later on this page.
Maryland's 2026 monthly income limits for these programs are set at 100%, 120%, and 135% of the Federal Poverty Level plus a standard $20 income disregard. QMB pays the most (Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copays), while SLMB and QI pay only the Part B premium.
Maryland Medicare Savings Program income limits, 2026 (no asset test)| Maryland MSP | Monthly Limit (Single) | Monthly Limit (Couple) | What It Pays |
|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,350/month ($16,200/year) | $1,824/month ($21,888/year) | Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,616/month ($19,392/year) | $2,184/month ($26,208/year) | Part B premium only |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | $1,816/month ($21,792/year) | $2,455/month ($29,460/year) | Part B premium only, first come first served with limited annual funding |
Maryland Medicare Savings Program income limits include a $20 general income disregard and have no asset or resource test as of 2026. Anyone approved for QMB, SLMB, or QI in Maryland is automatically deemed eligible for full Extra Help, with no separate Extra Help application required.
Source: Maryland Department of Health MMCP Medicare Savings Programs; Maryland People's Law Library
How Maryland's No-Asset-Test Rule Can Unlock Extra Help
Maryland's decision to drop the asset test for QMB, SLMB, and QI creates a real advantage for residents who have modest income but savings above the federal Extra Help resource limit ($16,590 single or $33,100 married in 2026). Because federal rules automatically deem anyone enrolled in a state Medicare Savings Program eligible for full Extra Help, a Maryland resident with, for example, $40,000 in savings and low monthly income can still qualify for QMB or SLMB in Maryland, and that enrollment carries over to Extra Help without a separate resource test.
Maryland residents whose income is too high for QMB, SLMB, or QI but who still fall under the 150% FPL Extra Help threshold must apply for Extra Help directly through Social Security and will need to pass the federal resource test described in the next section.
2026 Extra Help Resource Limits If You Apply Directly in Maryland
Maryland residents applying for Extra Help directly through Social Security, rather than through a Maryland Medicare Savings Program, must pass the federal resource test. In 2026, countable resources must stay under $16,590 for a single person or $33,100 for a married couple. Countable resources include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, CDs, and retirement accounts that are not in payout status.
A Maryland resident who sets aside money for burial expenses and notifies SSA can exclude up to $1,500 per person, raising the 2026 limit to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. A primary home, one vehicle, and personal belongings never count as resources.
What Extra Help Covers for Maryland Beneficiaries in 2026
Maryland beneficiaries approved for Extra Help in 2026 receive the same full federal benefit as anyone else in the country: the Part D premium covered up to the regional benchmark, a $0 deductible, generic drug copays capped at $5.10, and brand-name drug copays capped at $12.65. Once out-of-pocket drug spending reaches $2,100 in 2026, covered drugs cost $0 for the rest of the year under the Part D catastrophic cap.
Maryland residents who also qualify for a Maryland Medicare Savings Program get an additional layer of savings: QMB enrollees pay nothing for Medicare Part A and Part B cost-sharing on top of their Extra Help drug savings, effectively stacking two forms of state and federal assistance.
How to Apply for Extra Help in Maryland
Maryland residents have two application paths in 2026, and it is worth trying both if you are unsure which program fits. Apply for a Maryland Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI) through the Maryland Department of Human Services, since approval there automatically triggers Extra Help. Alternatively, apply for Extra Help directly through the Social Security Administration if your resources exceed the federal limit but your Maryland Medicare Savings Program income limit is out of reach.
Common Reasons Extra Help and Maryland MSP Applications Get Denied
Maryland applicants are denied Extra Help or a Maryland Medicare Savings Program for a handful of recurring reasons, and most can be fixed by resubmitting documentation within the response window.
- Household income above 150% FPL for Extra Help, or above the lower Maryland MSP income limits for QMB, SLMB, or QI
- Countable resources above $16,590 single or $33,100 married for direct Extra Help applications (Maryland MSP has no resource test)
- Not enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B at the time of application
- Missing bank statements, income proof, or Maryland residency documentation
- Failure to respond to a Maryland Department of Human Services or SSA request for more information within the deadline
Free Help: Maryland SHIP and Maryland Access Point
Maryland residents can get free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the Maryland State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), run by the Maryland Department of Aging. Certified SHIP counselors across Maryland's local offices help compare Extra Help, Maryland Medicare Savings Program options, and Medicare Part D plans at no cost.
Call Maryland SHIP at 1-800-243-3425, or call the Maryland Access Point (MAP) hotline at 410-396-CARE (2273) to be connected with your local SHIP counselor.
Dual-Eligible in Maryland: Stacking Extra Help With Medical Assistance
Maryland expanded Medicaid (called Maryland Medical Assistance) in 2014, so Maryland adults with income up to 138% FPL generally qualify for full Medicaid, which means there is no ACA coverage gap for low-income adults in Maryland the way there is in the 10 non-expansion states. Maryland residents with full Medical Assistance are automatically deemed eligible for Extra Help, with no separate application needed.
Unlike Maryland Medical Assistance, which counts income using MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules borrowed from the ACA, Extra Help and Maryland's Medicare Savings Programs count income using Social Security's own rules, which exclude the first $20 of most income and $65 plus half of remaining earned income. This is why a Maryland household's Medicaid eligibility and Extra Help eligibility can differ even at similar reported income.
About 12 million Americans are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, including a large share of Maryland's Medicare population. Maryland dual-eligible residents enrolled in a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) can coordinate Medicare and Medical Assistance benefits in a single plan, often adding dental, vision, hearing, and transportation benefits beyond standard Extra Help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Medicare Extra Help in Maryland in 2026?
In 2026, the federal Extra Help income limit is $23,940 per year ($1,995 per month) for a single person and $32,460 per year ($2,705 per month) for a married couple, which applies the same way in Maryland as in most states. Each additional household member adds $8,520 per year. Maryland's own Medicare Savings Programs use a lower scale: $16,200 per year for QMB (single), based on 100% FPL.
Does Maryland have an asset test for Medicare Savings Programs?
No. Maryland eliminated the resource (asset) test for QMB, SLMB, and QI in its Medicare Savings Programs. Only income counts toward eligibility for these Maryland-run programs in 2026. This differs from the federal Extra Help program, which still requires resources to stay under $16,590 single or $33,100 married if you apply for Extra Help directly rather than through a Maryland Medicare Savings Program.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Maryland?
Apply through the Maryland Department of Human Services at mymdthink.maryland.gov, by calling 1-800-332-6347, or in person at your local Department of Social Services office. You do not need to report bank accounts or other assets on the Maryland MSP application since Maryland has no asset test for QMB, SLMB, or QI as of 2026.
If I qualify for QMB in Maryland, do I automatically get Extra Help?
Yes. Federal rules automatically deem anyone enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI) in any state, including Maryland, eligible for full Extra Help. You do not need to file a separate Extra Help application with Social Security if you are already approved for a Maryland Medicare Savings Program.
Where can I get free help applying for Extra Help in Maryland?
Contact Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-243-3425, or call Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-396-CARE (2273) to be connected with a certified local SHIP counselor. Maryland SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased help comparing Extra Help, Maryland Medicare Savings Programs, and Part D plans.
Is Maryland a Medicaid expansion state?
Yes. Maryland expanded Medicaid in 2014 under the ACA, so adults with income up to 138% FPL generally qualify for full Maryland Medical Assistance. This means there is no ACA coverage gap for low-income Maryland adults, unlike in the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid.
Can I work part time and still qualify for Extra Help in Maryland?
Yes, if your total household income after standard exclusions stays under the applicable limit. Social Security excludes the first $20 of most monthly income and $65 plus half of remaining earned income when calculating eligibility for Extra Help and Maryland's Medicare Savings Programs, so working part time does not automatically disqualify you.
What is the difference between Extra Help and a Maryland Medicare Savings Program?
Extra Help is a federal program that lowers Medicare Part D prescription drug costs (premium, deductible, and copays). Maryland's Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) are state-administered programs that help pay Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and cost-sharing. Qualifying for a Maryland Medicare Savings Program automatically qualifies you for Extra Help, but qualifying for Extra Help alone does not automatically enroll you in a Maryland Medicare Savings Program.
