Medicare Savings Programs in Illinois: 2026 income limits and how to apply

Who qualifies

You can get a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) in Illinois if:

• You have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), or qualify for it
• You live in Illinois
• Your countable income and assets are under the limits below

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) decides who qualifies. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) pays the Medicare premiums.

2026 limits

These are IDHS's 2026 income standards. Add $25 to each income figure, because Illinois does not count that much of your income. QMB is for income up to 100% of the federal poverty level, SLIB up to 120%, and QI-1 up to 135%.

The Illinois Department on Aging's chart gives slightly different upper limits for SLIB and QI-1 (by one or two dollars). If you are close to a limit, apply anyway and let IDHS decide.

What counts and what does not

Income

• The income disregard: IDHS does not count the first $25 of your earned or unearned income each month. SSI and money given to you by someone outside your household (such as child support) do not get this disregard.
• The January Social Security raise: for January, February and March, IDHS does not count the yearly Social Security cost-of-living increase when it decides QMB.
• Rounding: income is rounded down to the next dollar.
• No spenddown: you cannot "spend down" to qualify for an MSP. Your income must be under the limit.
• Spouse in a nursing home: if your spouse lives at home and gets an allowance from your income, that allowance is not counted as their income for QMB.

Assets

• The limits are $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple.
• The Department on Aging's chart says these limits do not include a burial allowance of up to $1,500 for one person or $3,000 for a couple. Money set aside for burial up to those amounts is on top of the limit.
• Money you plan to give to a spouse at home, but have not yet given, still counts.

What each program pays

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)

HFS pays your Part A premium (if you have one), your Part B premium, and the deductibles and coinsurance for Medicare-covered services. Doctors must accept Medicare and be enrolled in Medicaid to be paid for your care. QMB starts the first day of the month after you are approved.

SLIB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary)

Illinois's name for SLMB. It pays your Part B premium only. It can pay for the month you apply and up to 3 months before that.

QI-1 (Qualifying Individual)

Pays your Part B premium only. Like SLIB, it can be backdated up to 3 months before the month you apply. Illinois does not seek repayment from the estate of someone who got only QI-1.

All three programs also give you Extra Help with Part D drug costs automatically.

How to apply

1. Check that you have Part A. Look at your Medicare card, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
2. Apply one of these ways:
   • Online at abe.illinois.gov (Application for Benefits Eligibility)
   • On paper with Form 2378M, the mail-in application for payment of Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance (Spanish: 2378MS). Download it from the HFS medical forms page.
   • By phone: IDHS Help Line 1-800-843-6154 (TTY 1-866-324-5553), or the Department on Aging at 1-800-252-8966
3. No face-to-face interview is needed for an MSP-only application. You can apply for MSP alone, or for MSP plus other medical or cash help.
4. Wait for a notice. IDHS mails you a decision.

If you applied for Extra Help through Social Security, Social Security sends your information to Illinois. IDHS then mails you Form 2378M. Return it within 10 days, by the due date on the form, so your application date stays the same as your Extra Help date. That can mean more back months paid.

After you apply

• Renewals: IDHS reviews your eligibility again later (a redetermination). Answer any renewal letter by the date given.
• Report changes in income, assets or address to IDHS at 1-800-843-6154.
• Appeals: If you are denied, you have 60 days from the date on the notice to appeal. Appeal online through ABE or Manage My Case; by email to [email protected]; by fax to 312-793-3387; by mail to Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Hearings, 69 W. Washington, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602; at your local IDHS office; or by phone at 1-800-435-0774 (TTY 1-877-734-7429). To keep benefits during the appeal, appeal on or before the date your benefits would stop.

Things people miss

• You do not need full Medicaid. You can apply for an MSP by itself. SLIB and QI-1 take income well above the AABD Medical limit of $1,330 a month.
• Apply soon. SLIB and QI-1 can pay up to 3 back months, but not more (except in some Extra Help cases).

Free help

• Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP): free, unbiased Medicare counseling from the Illinois Department on Aging. Call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or email [email protected]. Counselors do not sell insurance.
• IDHS Help Line: 1-800-843-6154 (TTY 1-866-324-5553).

For other programs, see all benefits in Illinois. To learn more about Medicare costs, see Medicare Part B.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Illinois agencies

Check what you may qualify for