No, you must reapply for Extra Help each year — it does not renew on its own
Medicare Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy program) covers prescription drug costs for people with limited income and resources. Unlike your Medicare Part A or Part B coverage, Extra Help is not automatic year to year. You receive it for one calendar year, and when that year ends on December 31, your coverage stops unless you take action to renew it.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs Extra Help and sets the important date: you must reapply by December 7 each year to keep your coverage starting January 1 of the next year. If you miss that date, you will lose your subsidy and pay the full cost of your prescriptions until you reapply and are approved again — which can take several weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Extra Help ends on December 31 each year and requires a new process by December 7 to continue into the next year.
- You can reapply online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by mail using Form SSA-1020.
- If your income or household size has not changed, reapplying takes about 15 minutes and can be done entirely online.
- Missing the December 7 important date means losing your subsidy on January 1, so plan to reapply in October or November.
- SSA will send you a notice in the fall reminding you to reapply, but the reminder is not a may provide — do not wait for it to act.
How to reapply before the December important date
The fastest way to reapply is online at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about your income and household for the past 12 months. If your situation has not changed much, the form takes about 15 minutes to complete. You can save your progress and come back to it later if you need to gather documents.
If you prefer to explore by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A representative can walk you through the questions and submit your process the same day. Have your income information ready before you call — the wait time is often shorter in October and November than in December.
You can also mail in Form SSA-1020 (process for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs). read it from SSA.gov or request it by phone. Mail it to the address on the form at least two weeks before December 7 to allow time for processing. Keep a copy for your records.
What happens if you miss the December 7 important date
If you do not reapply by December 7, your Extra Help coverage ends on December 31. Starting January 1, you will pay the full price for any prescription drugs covered by your plan — there is no grace period or late reapplication window that keeps your subsidy active.
You can still reapply after December 7, but your new coverage will not start until the month after SSA approves you, which is usually four to six weeks later. During that gap, you will have to pay out of pocket or ask your doctor about lower-cost alternatives. Some people choose to skip doses or cut pills in half to stretch their supply, which is dangerous — talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what you can afford instead.
If you reapply in January or later, your coverage will backdate to the first day of the month you were approved, not to January 1. So if you are approved on February 15, your subsidy covers prescriptions from February 1 forward, but you still owe the full cost for January.
When your income or household changes during the year
Extra Help is based on your income and household size. If either changes during the year — you get a raise, lose a job, move in with family, or someone moves out — you can report the change to SSA right away instead of waiting until December. SSA will recalculate your subsidy and may increase or decrease the amount you receive.
Report changes by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local Social Security office. Bring proof of the change: a new pay stub, a termination letter, a lease showing a new address, or a birth certificate if someone joined your household. SSA will update your case and send you a new notice showing your new subsidy amount.
Even if you report a change during the year, you still need to reapply by December 7 for the next calendar year. The mid-year change only adjusts your current year's subsidy.
Documents you may need to reapply
If your income and household have not changed since last year, you may not need any documents — SSA can verify your information through other government records. But it is smart to have these on hand in case SSA asks for them:
- Recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing your current income
- Tax return from the past year (if self-employed)
- Social Security benefit statement (if you receive benefits)
- Bank statements showing savings and other resources
- Proof of household members' names and relationship to you (birth certificates, marriage license, or lease)
You do not have to mail these documents with your process. SSA will ask for them only if they need to verify something. If they do ask, they will tell you exactly which documents to send and give you a important date — usually 10 days.
Setting a reminder so you do not forget
SSA sends a reapplication notice to everyone on Extra Help in September or October, but mail can be delayed or lost. Do not rely on that notice alone. Instead, mark your calendar for October 1 — that gives you two months to reapply before the December 7 important date and avoids the rush in late November and early December.
If you have a family member or caregiver who helps you with paperwork, tell them about the important date now. Some people ask their pharmacist to remind them, since pharmacists see them regularly and can flag the important date at a refill visit. You can also set a phone reminder or ask your local Area Agency on Aging if they offer reapplication help — many do.
What to do if SSA denies your reapplication
If SSA denies your reapplication because your income is now too high or your resources exceed the limit, you have the right to ask for a reconsideration. You must request it within 60 days of the denial notice. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to file a Request for Reconsideration (Form SSA-561-U2).
A different SSA representative will review your case and the documents you provide. If you believe SSA made a mistake about your income or household size, bring proof: a corrected pay stub, a letter from your employer, or a document showing someone moved out. Reconsideration takes about 30 days.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This process takes longer — usually several months — but some people win at the hearing level. Ask SSA for the appeal form and instructions when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reapply before October?
Yes. You can reapply as early as October 1 for the next calendar year. Reapplying early means you avoid the December rush and have time to gather documents if SSA asks for them. There is no penalty for reapplying early.
What if I am already approved for Medicaid — do I still need to reapply for Extra Help?
Yes. Medicaid and Extra Help are separate programs with different rules and important date. Being on Medicaid does not renew your Extra Help automatically. You must reapply for Extra Help by December 7 each year, even if Medicaid covers you.
Will SSA contact me if I am about to lose my Extra Help?
SSA sends a notice in the fall, but mail delays happen and some notices get lost. Do not wait for a notice to reapply. Mark your calendar for October 1 and reapply online or by phone — that is the safest way to make sure your coverage continues.
What if I reapply but SSA does not approve me before January 1?
Your coverage will end on December 31. Once SSA approves you, your new subsidy starts the first day of the month you were approved. You will owe the full cost of prescriptions until then. To avoid this gap, reapply in October or early November.
Can someone else reapply for me?
Yes. A family member, caregiver, or representative can reapply on your behalf if you give them permission. They will need your Social Security number and information about your income and household. You can also give SSA a power of attorney so someone can handle your benefits for you — ask SSA for Form SSA-3346.