Help Paying Medicare Premiums in Connecticut — Programs for Low-Income Seniors
Medicare is not free. Even with premium-free Part A, the Part B premium alone runs $202.90 per month in 2026 — $2,434.80 a year deducted from Social Security before a senior buys groceries or fills a prescription. Connecticut has some of the most generous programs in the country for reducing those costs, and most families have no idea their parent qualifies.
Connecticut's Medicare Savings Programs
The core program is the Medicare Savings Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. It comes in three tiers, and all three pay the $202.90 monthly Part B premium:
QMB — for single individuals earning up to $2,807 per month (couples up to $3,806). Covers Part B premiums, Part A premiums for those without premium-free Part A, and all Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
SLMB — for single individuals earning $2,807.01 to $3,073 per month (couples $3,806.01 to $4,166). Pays the Part B premium only.
ALMB — for single individuals earning $3,073.01 to $3,272 per month (couples $4,166.01 to $4,437). Pays the Part B premium only. Funded through a capped federal grant, so availability depends on remaining allocation.
These limits are far above federal baselines. The federal QMB income limit for a single person is about $1,350 per month. Connecticut's is $2,807 — more than double.
Connecticut Eliminated the Asset Test
Under CGS § 17b-95, Connecticut does not count assets when determining MSP eligibility. A senior can own a home, have retirement savings, hold stocks or bonds, and still qualify based solely on their monthly income. Most states still enforce the federal resource limits of $9,950 for individuals and $14,910 for couples. Connecticut threw those out entirely.
Extra Help With Prescription Drug Costs
Enrollment in any MSP tier automatically qualifies the beneficiary for Full Extra Help on Medicare Part D prescriptions — no separate application needed. Full Extra Help means $0 monthly premiums on benchmark plans, $0 annual deductibles, and reduced copayments. Combined with the Inflation Reduction Act's $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D costs, MSP enrollees face minimal prescription expenses.
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Where to Get Free Help Applying
CHOICES (1-800-994-9422) — Connecticut's SHIP program, with counselors at five regional Area Agencies on Aging. Free, unbiased guidance on MSP applications, Part D plan comparisons, and Medicare questions.
ConneCT Portal (connect.ct.gov) — Online application submission with document upload. You can also use the myDSS mobile app.
DSS Resource Centers — In-person offices in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Norwich for face-to-face help.
Statewide Legal Services (1-800-453-3320) — Free legal help if an MSP application is denied or a billing dispute escalates.
Center for Medicare Advocacy (1-800-262-4414) — Specialized legal advocacy for Medicare and Medicaid dual eligibility issues.
Why Many Eligible Seniors Never Apply
The most common reason eligible seniors miss out is that they look up the federal income limits and assume they earn too much. Federal charts show a QMB limit around $1,350 for a single person — a number that eliminates most Social Security recipients. Connecticut's actual limit is $2,807. A senior receiving $2,500 a month in Social Security would be turned away by federal charts but approved in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide consolidates all of these programs into a single step-by-step system — income worksheets, the correct application forms, document checklists, and renewal tracking so benefits do not lapse at redetermination.
Get Your Free Connecticut — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the Connecticut — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.