Owning rental property does not automatically disqualify you from Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy). Your primary home is excluded from the resource calculation, but rental property equity counts. In 2026, the resource limit is $17,600 for an individual or $35,130 for a married couple. The income limit is $23,475 single or $31,725 married. If your rental equity plus other countable resources stay below the threshold, you can qualify. For your specific situation in Wake County, call Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 — free, no obligation.

What Wake County families ask

What counts against you when SSA checks your resources?

These are the four questions Wake County property owners ask most about Extra Help eligibility.

Does my primary home count as a resource?

No. Your primary residence is completely excluded from the Extra Help resource calculation, regardless of its value. This is true even for high-value homes in Wake County.

How does SSA value my rental property?

SSA counts the equity: fair market value minus outstanding mortgage. A $150,000 rental with $100,000 owed = $50,000 in countable resources. That alone exceeds the $17,600 single limit.

Does rental income count separately from property equity?

Yes. Net rental income (after expenses) counts toward the income limit of $23,475/yr single. And the property equity counts toward the resource limit. Both must be under their respective thresholds.

What if I’m over the limit — are there other options?

Yes. The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100/yr regardless of Extra Help status. Insulin is capped at $35/mo. And the right Part D plan can cut your drug costs dramatically even without LIS. Call Rob at (828) 761-3326.

⚠️ Rental property equity is the #1 reason Wake County applicants get denied

Most people who own a single rental property in Wake County have more than $17,600 in equity, which puts them over the resource limit for a single individual. But don’t assume — married couples have a $35,130 limit, and SSA counts equity (not market value). A rental with a large mortgage may still leave you under the threshold. Get the math done before you skip the application.

The difference

What happens when you figure this out alone vs. with a broker?

What do you need to know?	Medicare.gov	Rob Simm — NC #10447418
Extra Help eligibility check	Generic screening tool — no rental property guidance	Pre-screen with your actual property values and income before you apply
Resource calculation	Lists what counts, but no help with your math	I calculate your countable resources and tell you exactly where you stand
What if you don’t qualify?	Application denied — no next step	I run every Part D plan in Wake County against your prescriptions to find the lowest cost
Part D plan selection	Plan Finder tool — manual entry per drug, per plan	I pre-check every prescription on every eligible plan and show you the real annual cost
Wake County provider networks	Generic federal directories	Direct verification with WakeMed, UNC REX, and Duke Raleigh contracts
Cost	$0 (just your time and risk)	$0 — paid by carrier, not you

2026 Medicare numbers

What are the key Medicare numbers for Wake County in 2026?

$202.90

Part B premium per month

2026 standard rate. 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.

$9,350

MA in-network out-of-pocket max

2026 cap on in-network Medicare Advantage spending.

$2,100

Part D out-of-pocket cap

No catastrophic Rx costs in 2026. Insulin capped at $35/month.

💡 Broker Tip — Wake County

If you own a rental property in Wake County and your equity is close to the resource limit, get your property appraised before applying. Wake County property values have risen sharply — but so have many mortgages from refinancing. The gap between value and debt is what SSA counts, and I see Wake County clients qualify who assumed they wouldn’t. Call (828) 761-3326 before you give up on Extra Help.

— 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 Extra Help actually save you on prescriptions?

Without Extra Help

$2,100/yr

You pay a Part D premium, a deductible, copays at every tier, and up to $2,100 out-of-pocket per year in 2026. A single brand-name medication can push you to the cap within months.

With Full Extra Help

$0–$134/yr

No premium. No deductible. Copays of $0 to $11.20 per prescription in 2026. On 12 prescriptions, your total annual drug cost drops from $2,100 to under $134.

It pays to talk to the right broker

Why doesn’t this cost me anything?

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

Does rental property income count toward the Extra Help income limit?

Yes. Net rental income (after expenses) counts as unearned income for Extra Help eligibility. In 2026, the income limit is $23,475/yr for an individual or $31,725/yr for a couple. If your rental income plus other income stays below the threshold, you may still qualify.

What is the difference between the resource limit and the income limit for Extra Help?

The income limit counts annual earnings: wages, Social Security, pensions, and rental income. The resource limit counts what you own: savings, stocks, bonds, and rental property equity. Your primary home and one car are excluded from resources. In 2026, the resource limit is $17,600 single / $35,130 married.

Can I qualify for Extra Help if my rental property has a mortgage?

SSA counts the equity in your rental property — fair market value minus what you owe. If your rental property is worth $120,000 and you owe $95,000, only $25,000 in equity counts toward the $17,600 resource limit. That alone would put you over, but a licensed broker can help you understand the full picture. Call (828) 761-3326.

How do I apply for Extra Help in Wake County, NC?

Apply online at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit the Raleigh Social Security office. You can also call Rob Simm at (828) 761-3326 for a free eligibility pre-screen before you apply.

What does Extra Help actually save me on Part D drug costs?

Full Extra Help eliminates the Part D premium, deductible, and reduces copays to $0–$11.20 per prescription in 2026. Even partial Extra Help significantly reduces your premium and copays. With the 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap at $2,100/yr, Extra Help can mean the difference between $0 and $2,100 in annual drug costs.

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

Get help in nearby NC counties

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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 Duke 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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