Help Paying for Medicare and Everyday Expenses
Medicare and everyday living costs can add up quickly. If your income is limited, there may be programs that help with Medicare premiums, prescription drugs, medical bills, food, utilities, transportation and other expenses.
American Senior Choices has collected trusted resources to help you understand where to start.
American Senior Choices does not determine eligibility for government assistance programs. Eligibility is determined by the appropriate government agency. We can help you understand where to start and what to ask.
Help with Medicare costs
If paying the Medicare Part B premium is a strain, Washington has programs that may cover it. One of them may also cover deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
Washington Medicare Savings Programs
Washington residents with Medicare and limited income who need help paying the Part B premium.
What it can help with
- The Medicare Part B premium
- For QMB: Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays as well
- For QDWI: Part A premiums for certain disabled working individuals
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
Have savings? Still check. This program does not currently use an asset test. Your income and the other program rules still matter, but a bank balance on its own should not stop you.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- Washington does not currently use an asset test for Medicare Savings Programs. Money in checking or savings alone should not stop you from applying.
- There are four categories — QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI — and they help with different costs.
- Providers generally may not bill a QMB beneficiary for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance or copays.
Official source: Washington State Health Care Authority · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) for Aged, Blind or Disabled
Washington residents 65 or older, or who are blind or disabled, with limited income and resources.
What it can help with
- Doctor visits, hospital care and other covered medical services
- Costs Medicare does not cover, for people who have both
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- These are screening guidelines, not a yes-or-no test. Eligibility depends on how income and resources are counted and on your circumstances.
- Resource rules generally apply to this Apple Health category, unlike Medicare Savings Programs.
Official source: Washington State Health Care Authority · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Help with prescriptions
Extra Help is the largest source of prescription assistance for people with Medicare. If you already have Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you may be receiving it automatically.
Medicare Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
People with Medicare and limited income who are struggling with prescription costs.
What it can help with
- Part D plan premiums
- The Part D deductible
- Copays and coinsurance on covered drugs
- The Part D late enrollment penalty, while you are receiving Extra Help
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- Income and resource rules contain exclusions and special circumstances. Being close to a limit is not a reason to skip applying.
- Some people get Extra Help automatically: those with full Medicaid, those already getting help paying their Part B premium, and those receiving SSI.
- Social Security can pass an Extra Help application to the state to start Medicare Savings Program consideration, unless the applicant opts out.
Official source: Social Security Administration · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Washington benefits
Washington Connection is the state's own portal for checking several programs at once. SSI, Basic Food and free Medicare counselling are all worth knowing about.
Washington Connection
Any Washington resident who wants to check several benefit programs in one place.
What it can help with
- Medical assistance including Medicare Savings Programs
- Basic Food
- Cash assistance
- Long-term services and supports
Official source: Washington Connection · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Supplemental Security Income
People 65 or older, or blind or disabled, with very limited income and resources.
What it can help with
- A monthly cash payment
- In most states, an automatic path to Medicaid
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- Actual payments vary with your income, living arrangement and other factors. The maximum is not what everyone receives.
- SSI is not Social Security retirement. They are different programs.
- A Medicare beneficiary receiving SSI automatically qualifies for Extra Help.
Official source: Social Security Administration · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Washington Basic Food (SNAP)
Washington households with limited income who need help buying groceries.
What it can help with
- Monthly benefits on an EBT card for groceries
- Washington's SNAP program is called Basic Food.
- For households with someone elderly or disabled, allowable medical expenses above the applicable threshold can affect the calculation. This is often missed and can matter a great deal.
Official source: Washington DSHS · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
SHIBA — Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors
Anyone in Washington who wants free, unbiased Medicare counselling.
What it can help with
- Free one-to-one Medicare counselling
- Help understanding coverage, rights and options
- SHIBA counsellors are unbiased and do not sell insurance. Tim is a licensed broker who can compare the plans he represents. Those are different roles and both are worth using.
Official source: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
WA Cares Fund
Washington workers who have contributed and now need long-term care.
What it can help with
- Qualifying long-term care services and supports
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- Benefits became available in July 2026.
- Not everyone receives the full amount. Eligibility depends on your contribution history and your care needs, and some older workers qualify for a prorated benefit through a transition pathway.
- WA Cares is not Medicaid and not Medicare.
- Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing custodial long-term care.
Official source: WA Cares Fund · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Local Clark County help
These are local to Clark County and Southwest Washington. If you live elsewhere in the state, Washington 211 can point you to the equivalent where you are.
Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington
Older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers in Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.
What it can help with
- Caregiver support
- Dementia resources
- In-home assistance
- Long-term care information
- Aging and disability services
- American Senior Choices is not affiliated with this agency.
- Clark County office: 201 NE 73rd St, Vancouver, WA 98665.
Official source: Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Clark Public Utilities Senior Citizen Rate Credit
Clark County residents 62 or older with limited income.
What it can help with
- A credit against qualifying winter electricity bills
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- Clark Public Utilities also runs Operation Warm Heart, limited-income weatherization and income-qualified rebates.
Official source: Clark Public Utilities · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Washington 211
Anyone who is not sure which program they need.
What it can help with
- Referrals for food, housing, utilities, health care, elder care, transportation and more
Official source: Washington 211 · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
If you live outside Washington
These work anywhere in the United States and are a good starting point if you or a family member live in another state.
BenefitsCheckUp
Older adults and people with disabilities anywhere in the United States.
What it can help with
- A screening tool covering Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, Extra Help, SNAP, health care, prescriptions, food and utilities
- BenefitsCheckUp is run by the National Council on Aging, not by American Senior Choices.
Official source: National Council on Aging · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Eldercare Locator
Older adults and caregivers anywhere in the United States looking for local services.
What it can help with
- Connections to local aging services wherever you live
Official source: Administration for Community Living · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Lifeline Phone and Internet Discount
Households with limited income, or on certain benefit programs.
What it can help with
- A monthly discount toward qualifying phone or broadband service
Eligibility limits change periodically. Please verify the current limits with the program before applying.
- Baseline from resource-center brief, 2026-08-30. Not yet verified.
- You can also qualify through Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or a Veterans or Survivors Pension.
- Lifeline is not the Affordable Connectivity Program, which ended. They are different.
- Voice service and Tribal benefits follow different rules.
Official source: USAC Lifeline Support · Last reviewed 2026-08-30
Already approved for Extra Help, Apple Health or a Medicare Savings Program?
Your Medicare options can change when you start receiving certain assistance. Tim can help you review the plans he represents based on your doctors, prescriptions, costs, hospital preferences and other needs.
Talk With Tim About Medicare: (360) 472-4261This line is recorded, as Medicare requires for plan conversations.
2026 information, last reviewed September 2026. Program rules, income limits, resource limits, benefits and contact information can change. Always confirm current details with the program itself using the official links above.
Disclaimer: American Senior Choices is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 5 organizations which offer 33 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.