Sign up for Medicare low-income assistance in Wake County by applying at Wake County Human Services (4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh), online at epass.nc.gov, or by calling NC Medicaid at 1-888-245-0179. The QMB program pays your full $202.90/month Part B premium if you earn under $1,715/month individual. Extra Help eliminates the $2,100 Part D out-of-pocket drug cap. You can apply year-round — benefits start the month after approval. For your specific situation in Wake County, call Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 — free, no obligation.

What Wake County families ask

What stops people from applying for Medicare assistance?

These are the four questions I hear most from Wake County residents who qualify but haven’t applied yet.

“Do I make too much to qualify?”

QMB covers individuals earning up to $1,715/month ($20,580/year). SLMB extends to $2,057/month. Extra Help reaches $2,248/month. Many Wake County residents earning Social Security plus a small pension still qualify.

“Will applying affect my other benefits?”

No. Medicare Savings Programs do not count as “welfare” and do not affect Social Security, food stamps, or housing assistance. They are separate state-administered programs funded by Medicaid.

“Is the application process complicated?”

The application takes about 20 minutes. You need proof of income, asset statements, and your Medicare card. Apply online at epass.nc.gov, in person at Wake County Human Services, or by phone at 1-888-245-0179.

“Do I have to wait until Open Enrollment?”

No. Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help accept applications year-round. Benefits start the month after approval and can be retroactive up to three months. Every month you wait costs you $202.90 or more.

⚠️ Every month you wait costs real money

If you qualify for QMB but haven’t applied, you are paying $202.90/month in Part B premiums you don’t owe — that’s $2,434.80/year. Add the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible and uncapped Part D drug costs, and Wake County residents who qualify but delay lose $4,000–$6,000 annually. These programs accept applications every month of the year.

The difference

What’s the difference between applying alone and working with a broker?

What do you need to know?	Medicare.gov	Rob Simm — NC #10447418
Eligibility check	Generic federal income thresholds — doesn’t account for NC-specific rules	I check QMB, SLMB, QI, and Extra Help simultaneously against your actual income and assets
Application help	Points you to epass.nc.gov — you figure out the forms alone	I walk you through every field and tell you exactly which documents to gather
Plan coordination	Assistance programs and plan selection are separate processes	I coordinate your assistance approval with the best Medicare plan for your doctors and drugs
Provider networks	Cannot verify if your doctor accepts the plan you pick	I verify WakeMed and UNC Health network status before you enroll in anything
Drug cost impact	Shows general Extra Help rules — not your specific drug list	I run your medications through formulary comparison to find the lowest cost plan after Extra Help
Follow-up	800 number, hold times, different agent every call	Same broker next year when your income changes or benefits need recertification

2026 Medicare numbers

How much can Wake County residents save with low-income assistance?

$202.90

Part B premium per month

2026 standard rate. QMB pays this entirely — saving you $2,434.80/year. Higher with IRMAA surcharge based on income above $106,000.

$283

Part B annual deductible

You pay this before Medicare covers 80% of outpatient care. QMB eliminates this deductible entirely.

$9,350

MA in-network out-of-pocket max

2026 cap on in-network Medicare Advantage spending. QMB eliminates most cost-sharing within MA plans.

$2,100

Part D out-of-pocket cap

Extra Help eliminates this cap entirely. Insulin capped at $35/month for all Medicare beneficiaries.

💡 Broker Tip — Wake County

Many Wake County residents apply for Extra Help but skip the broader Medicare Savings Programs. If you qualify for Extra Help, you almost certainly qualify for at least SLMB — which pays part of your Part B premium on top of drug savings. Always apply for both at Wake County Human Services simultaneously. One application, two programs, thousands more in annual savings.

— Rob Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418

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Rob Simm · Licensed NC Medicare Broker · NPN #10447418

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Real scenario · Wake County

What does it actually cost to delay applying?

Didn’t apply — qualified for 2 years

$4,870

Lost savings over 2 years — paid $202.90/month in Part B premiums, plus Part A deductibles and uncapped drug costs that QMB and Extra Help would have eliminated entirely.

Applied immediately after qualifying

Part B premium paid by QMB. Part A deductible eliminated. Part D out-of-pocket cap removed by Extra Help. Total annual savings: $4,000–$6,000+ depending on drug and hospital usage.

It pays to talk to the right broker

Does it cost anything to get help signing up?

It doesn’t — because I get paid by the insurance carrier to manage your plan. Most call centers get paid more to steer your business toward certain carriers based on volume and contracts. The only thing I’m optimizing for is making sure you’re covered correctly when you actually need it. That’s what keeps people coming back. And referring their neighbors.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What income limits qualify me for Medicare low-income assistance in Wake County in 2026?

For 2026, QMB covers your full Part B premium ($202.90/month) if you earn up to $1,715/month individual or $2,318/month for couples. SLMB extends to $2,057/month individual ($2,783 couple). Extra Help for Part D covers individuals up to $2,248/month. Asset limits also apply — $9,430 individual, $14,130 couple for QMB/SLMB. Call Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 to check your eligibility in 10 minutes.

Where do I apply for Medicare Savings Programs in Wake County?

Apply at Wake County Human Services (4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh), online at epass.nc.gov, or by calling NC Medicaid at 1-888-245-0179. For Extra Help only, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Bring proof of income, assets, and your Medicare card. Benefits start the month after approval.

How much money can Medicare low-income assistance save me in 2026?

QMB saves $202.90/month in Part B premiums — that’s $2,434.80/year — plus eliminates the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible and all Medicare cost-sharing. Extra Help reduces Part D premiums to $0 and eliminates the $2,100 annual out-of-pocket drug cap. Combined savings can exceed $6,000 annually.

Can I apply for Medicare assistance programs after I’m already enrolled in Medicare?

Yes. Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help accept applications year-round — there is no enrollment period restriction. Benefits begin the month after approval and can be retroactive up to three months if you were previously eligible. Do not wait for Open Enrollment.

Is there a licensed Medicare broker in Wake County who helps with low-income assistance applications?

Yes. Rob Simm is a licensed independent Medicare broker serving Wake County — NC License #10447418, AHIP Certified. He coordinates assistance program applications with Medicare plan selection at no cost to you. Call (828) 761-3326 for a free 10-minute consultation.

Related Medicare guides

Medicare Enrollment in NC – 2026 Guide Extra Help/LIS Eligibility NC 2026 Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in NC Extra Help / LIS in NC – 2026 Eligibility Guide Working Past 65 – Medicare Enrollment Special Enrollment Periods in NC Cheap Health Insurance Without Employer Coverage Free Medicare Quotes Online

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Robert Simm

Licensed Independent Medicare Broker

Helping NC families navigate Medicare since 2014. Independent — I work with all carriers and get paid the same regardless of which plan you choose. I verify provider networks with WakeMed and UNC Health directly and answer my own phone the next year when something changes.

📞 (828) 761-3326 📋 NC #10447418 🏥 AHIP Certified ⭐ 5.0 · 20+ reviews 📍 2731 Meridian Pkwy, Durham NC 27713 🕐 Mon–Fri 9am–7pm ET

Last Updated: 2026-05-04 | Reviewed By: Robert Simm, Licensed Medicare Broker, NC #10447418 | Next Review: October 2026

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