Financial Aid Programs

Help Paying for Medicare Prescription Drugs in New York

Prescription costs add up fast. Programs like Extra Help, the Medicare Savings Program, and New York’s EPIC program can lower what you pay, and many people qualify without knowing it. We help Erie County residents find out what they’re eligible for and apply.

See If You Qualify

What Does Extra Help Cover?

Extra Help, also called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), is a federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

What Does Extra Help Cover?

Extra Help lowers or eliminates your Part D monthly premium, annual deductible, and prescription co-pays. It works with any Medicare drug plan, including Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage.

How Much Will You Pay With Extra Help?

In 2026, with Extra Help, you can pay a $0 premium and $0 deductible, with co-pays capped at $5.10 for generic and $12.65 for brand-name drugs. After $2,100 in yearly drug costs, covered medications are free.

Who Automatically Qualifies for Extra Help?

You automatically qualify if you have full Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program. You don’t need to fill out a separate application, and Medicare will mail you a letter confirming it.*

This includes most people living in a nursing home with Medicaid.

How Do You Qualify for Extra Help?

Many people qualify for Extra Help and don’t know it.

To qualify in 2026:

You must have Medicare and live in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C.
Your income must be below the limit. For 2026, Medicare lists income limits of $23,940 for an individual and $32,460 for a married couple. You may still qualify with higher income if you support family members who live with you or have work earnings.
Your resources must be below the limit. The 2026 resource limit is $18,090 for an individual and $36,100 for a married couple. Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home, car, and life insurance don’t count.

Income and resource limits can change every year. If you didn’t qualify in the past, it’s worth checking again.

Extra Help, MSP, and EPIC FAQs

Have questions about paying for prescriptions? Here are answers to the questions we hear most from Erie County clients.

How do you apply for Extra Help?

We help clients apply at no cost. To apply on your own, complete Social Security’s Application for Extra Help (SSA-1020):

Apply online at ssa.gov/extrahelp
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
Visit your local Social Security office

What happens after you apply for Extra Help?

Social Security will mail you a letter with its decision. Once you’re approved, make sure you’re enrolled in a Part D plan. If Medicare enrolls you automatically, the plan may not cover your medications well. We’ll help you choose one that does.

What if you don’t qualify for Extra Help?

You can still enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, and every plan caps your yearly out-of-pocket drug costs. We’ll compare plans based on your prescriptions to find the lowest total cost. New York residents may also qualify for EPIC.

What is the Medicare Savings Program?

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a New York State program that helps pay Medicare costs like your Part B premium. When you apply for Extra Help, Social Security automatically starts an MSP application unless you opt out. See our Medicare + Medicaid page for 2026 income limits.

EPIC: New York’s Prescription Drug Program

EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) helps New York seniors lower their prescription drug costs. It works alongside your Medicare Part D plan, and almost every pharmacy in New York accepts it.

Who Qualifies

Age 65 or older
New York State resident
Enrolled in, or eligible for, a Medicare Part D plan
Income of $75,000 or less for singles, or $100,000 or less for married couples
No asset test

How EPIC Helps

Pays Part D premiums up to $58.82 a month for lower incomes
Lowers your pharmacy co-pays after any deductible
Works with Extra Help for even more savings
Helps you apply for Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program
Lets you switch Part D plans once a year outside open enrollment

EPIC premium help is available for incomes up to $23,000 (single) or $29,000 (married). Combined with Extra Help, the two programs can pay up to $117.64 a month toward your premium.

Ask Us About EPIC

EPIC Works With Either Type of Drug Plan

To use EPIC, you need Medicare drug coverage. You can get it two ways.

1. Standalone Medicare Drug Plan (Part D)

Adds drug coverage to Original Medicare and some other plan types, like Medicare Cost Plans and Private Fee-for-Service plans. You need Part A or Part B to join.

2. Medicare Advantage Plan With Drug Coverage

Combines your Part A, Part B, and drug coverage in one plan. You need both Part A and Part B to join, and not every Medicare Advantage plan includes drug coverage.