Connecticut SLMB and ALMB Programs: Part B Premium Help Beyond QMB
When Income Is Too High for QMB
Connecticut's QMB tier has a monthly income limit of $2,807 for a single person in 2026. If your parent earns slightly more than that — say $2,900 or $3,000 — they don't lose all MSP benefits. They move into SLMB or ALMB territory, where the state still pays the $202.90 monthly Part B premium.
That's $2,434.80 per year back in a senior's Social Security check.
SLMB: The Middle Tier
SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) covers the Part B premium for individuals with gross monthly income between $2,807.01 and $3,073 (single) or $3,806.01 and $4,166 (married couple).
Unlike QMB, SLMB does not cover deductibles or coinsurance. But it still automatically triggers Full Extra Help for prescription drugs — the same $0-premium, $0-deductible Part D benefit that QMB enrollees receive.
SLMB is funded through open-ended Medicaid entitlement, so there's no enrollment cap. If you qualify, you're in.
ALMB: Connecticut's Name for QI
ALMB (Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) is Connecticut's state-specific name for the federal Qualifying Individual (QI) program. The coverage is identical to SLMB — it pays the Part B premium and triggers Full Extra Help.
The 2026 income range is $3,073.01 to $3,272 (single) or $4,166.01 to $4,437 (married couple).
The key difference from SLMB is funding: ALMB runs on a capped annual federal block grant, awarded first-come, first-served. Connecticut gives priority to people who received ALMB the previous year, so renewals are protected. But new applicants face the possibility of funding exhaustion.
One hard restriction: people receiving full Medicaid benefits (HUSKY C) cannot enroll in ALMB. If an ALMB recipient later qualifies for HUSKY C, DSS transitions them out of ALMB.
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ALMB vs QI: Same Thing, Different Name
If you see references to the "QI program" or "QI-1" in federal Medicare literature, that's what Connecticut calls ALMB. The federal statute is 42 U.S.C. § 1396a(a)(10)(E)(iv). Connecticut chose a different name in its administrative system, but the eligibility rules, benefits, and funding source are identical.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SLMB | ALMB (QI) |
|---|---|---|
| Part B premium paid | Yes | Yes |
| Deductibles/coinsurance | No | No |
| Extra Help automatic | Yes | Yes |
| Asset test | None (CT law) | None (CT law) |
| Funding | Open-ended | Capped federal grant |
| Medicaid overlap | Allowed | Prohibited |
Both Tiers Have No Asset Test
Like QMB, Connecticut's SLMB and ALMB tiers have no asset or resource test under CGS § 17b-95. Savings, home equity, retirement accounts, and investments are completely irrelevant to eligibility.
How to Apply
The application is the same Form W-1QMB used for QMB — there's no separate form for SLMB or ALMB. DSS determines which tier the applicant qualifies for based on the income reported. Submit through the ConneCT portal, by mail to PO Box 1320 in Manchester, or in person at a DSS Resource Center.
After approval, SLMB and ALMB coverage can be retroactive up to three months before the application date (unlike QMB, which is prospective only). If your parent qualified during those prior months, they'll receive reimbursement for Part B premiums already paid.
The Connecticut Medicare Savings & Extra Help Guide covers the differences between all three tiers, including what happens if income changes push someone between tiers at renewal.
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