Applying for the Low-Income Subsidy:

A Tool Kit for Advocates Assisting People with Medicare

This Tool Kit, developed by the Access to Benefits Coalition, includes useful resources to assist you with helping people apply for the low-income subsidy.  The Tool Kit includes a guide and frequently asked questions developed by the Access to Benefits Coalition, and important information you should have from the Social Security Administration.

Tool Kit Contents

I.    Getting Started

ABCs of the LIS: This guide, produced by the Access to Benefits Coalition, will assist you in helping people apply for extra help with their prescription drug costs available under the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.  It offers general tips about filling out the application, and some specific tips on questions from the application that may be more difficult to answer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):  This document provides answers to questions you and/or your clients might have about applying for the extra help available under the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.

Sample Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plans: This form is a sample SSA application form for help with Medicare Drug Plan Costs for those with limited incomes and resources.

II.   Important Resources from the Social Security Administration

Fact Sheet on Cash and Face Values of Life Insurance Policies: This one-page fact sheet from the Social Security Administration contains information on life insurance values which may be needed when filling out the low-income subsidy application form.

LIS Award Letter: This letter is a sample of what will be mailed to people with Medicare who SSA determines are eligible for the low-income subsidy. This notice provides the subsidy level the individual will receive, as well as information used to make the decision, how to appeal the decision and how to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.

 

LIS Denial Letter: This letter is a sample of what will be mailed to people with Medicare who SSA determines are not eligible for the low-income subsidy. This notice provides reasons for the denial, as well as information on how to appeal the decision and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.

 

Regional Social Security Administration Contact List: This list provides contact information for regional Social Security Administration Communications directors with whom collaborations can be formed to educate, reach and help people apply for the low-income subsidy.