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Today on Valentines Day, many people buy flowers, candy and cards for the ones they love — not just for sweethearts and spouses, but for children, parents and grandparents as well.

This Valentines Day, why not take an extra step to show someone you love how much you care?

Tell them about the Medicare prescription drug plan — and about the extra help they may be able to get through Social Security.

The high cost of prescription drugs can be a burden on older Americans with limited income. What better way to show you care than by showing them how to get extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs?

Extra help — available through Social Security — can pay part of their monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help could be worth more than $3,600 per year.

To figure out whether they’re eligible, Social Security needs to know their income and the value of their savings, investments and real estate (other than the home they live in). To qualify for the extra help, your loved ones must be receiving Medicare and have:

· Income limited to $15,840 for an individual or $21,240 for a married couple living together. (These amounts will increase soon.) Even if their annual income is higher, your loved ones still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. For example, their income may be higher if they or their spouse:

Support other family members who live with them;

Have earnings from work; or

Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and

Resources limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count their house and car as resources.


Social Security has an easy-to-use online application for the extra help that anyone — family members, friends and caregivers — can complete. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov. To apply by phone or get an application, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.

To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

So this year as you prepare your valentines, give someone you love something special: the peace of mind that comes with knowing extra help is available with Medicare prescription drug costs. Then go one step further — help them apply. There is no better way to show how much you care. The Tyler office is located at 5509 S. Donnybrook Ave.