SLMB Eligibility Requirements for 2026: Income Limits
October 9, 2026
You may qualify for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program if your monthly income falls between 100% and 120% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and your countable assets stay under your state's resource limit. SLMB is one of four Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that state Medicaid agencies run to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare costs. If you qualify, your state pays your Medicare Part B premium directly each month, the cost that would otherwise come out of your Social Security check. Income and asset limits adjust every year and vary slightly by state, so the exact 2026 dollar thresholds depend on where you live.
Quick Answer
To qualify for SLMB in 2026, your monthly income generally needs to fall between 100% and 120% of the Federal Poverty Level, and your countable assets must stay below your state's resource limit (around $9,660 for an individual and $14,470 for a couple as of the most recent federal figures, adjusted annually). SLMB pays your Medicare Part B premium only. You apply through your state Medicaid agency, not through Medicare directly, and approval can be retroactive up to three months.
What the SLMB Program Covers
SLMB pays the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium on your behalf. It does not cover Medicare Part A premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance. That narrower benefit is what separates SLMB from the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, which covers Part B premiums plus most Medicare cost-sharing for people with lower income.
Approval for SLMB also comes with an automatic benefit: you qualify for Medicare Extra Help, the federal subsidy that lowers Part D prescription coverage for seniors costs, without a separate application. To understand how the Part B premium itself is calculated and billed, see our guide to Medicare out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Savings Program Income Thresholds
Asset (Resource) Limits for SLMB
Most states also apply a resource limit, counting savings accounts, stocks, and bonds toward the total. Your primary home and one vehicle are typically excluded. Federal resource limits for Medicare Savings Programs are published annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and several states have eliminated the asset test entirely, so the rule that applies to you depends on where you live.
Because both income and asset figures change each year, the exact 2026 dollar amounts for SLMB are best confirmed with your state Medicaid office. For context on how these thresholds compare to the related Extra Help program, see the 2026 income limits for Extra Help.
QMB vs. SLMB vs. QI
| Feature | QMB | RecommendedSLMB | QI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income limit | Up to 100% FPL | 100% to 120% FPL | 120% to 135% FPL |
| Pays Part B premium | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pays Part A premium (if owed) | ✓ | — | — |
| Pays deductibles and coinsurance | ✓ | — | — |
| Automatic Extra Help enrollment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Action Checklist: Applying for SLMB
- Gather proof of income, such as Social Security award letters and pension statements
- Gather asset documentation, including bank and investment statements
- Contact your state Medicaid office or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
- Complete your state's Medicare Savings Program application
- Ask whether your state allows retroactive coverage back up to three months
SLMB pays for Medicare deductibles and copays the same way QMB does.
SLMB only pays the Part B premium. Deductibles and coinsurance remain your responsibility unless you also qualify for full Medicaid or QMB.
You must already have Medicaid to qualify for SLMB.
SLMB is a stand-alone Medicare Savings Program. Many people qualify for SLMB without having full Medicaid benefits.
Owning a home or car disqualifies you.
Most states exclude your primary home and one vehicle from the asset count, and a number of states have dropped the asset test for Medicare Savings Programs entirely.
How to Apply for SLMB
You apply for SLMB through your state Medicaid agency, not through Medicare.gov or the Social Security Administration directly, though Social Security can point you to the right office. Review the broader Medicare eligibility rules first to confirm you're enrolled in Part A, since SLMB requires it. If your income is near the SLMB cutoff, ask your caseworker about the QI program as well, since it covers the same Part B premium benefit at a slightly higher income range. Beneficiaries who qualify for SLMB and also have Medicaid may want to review dual-eligible special needs plans to see how the two coverages coordinate.
Limits update every year
Note: Income and asset limits for SLMB are tied to the Federal Poverty Level, published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Confirm the current 2026 dollar thresholds with your state Medicaid office or Medicaid.gov before you apply, since figures and effective dates vary by state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SLMB pays your monthly Medicare Part B premium. It does not cover Part A premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance.
QMB is for people with income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level and covers the Part B premium plus most Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. SLMB covers a slightly higher income range, 100% to 120% of the Federal Poverty Level, and pays only the Part B premium.
In most states, yes, a resource limit applies to savings, stocks, and bonds, though your home and one vehicle are typically excluded. Several states have eliminated the asset test for Medicare Savings Programs, so check with your state Medicaid office.
Yes. If you qualify for SLMB, you automatically qualify for Extra Help, the federal program that lowers Medicare Part D prescription drug costs, without a separate application.
Yes. SLMB pays your Part B premium regardless of whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.