SLMB vs QI in New Jersey: Which Medicare Savings Program Fits
Both Pay the Part B Premium — the Difference Is the Income Ceiling
SLMB and QI are the two middle tiers of New Jersey's Medicare Savings Programs. Both do exactly one thing: pay your parent's $202.90 monthly Part B premium so Social Security stops deducting it. Neither covers deductibles, coinsurance, or copays like QMB does.
The difference is the income threshold. SLMB covers people at 100–120% of the Federal Poverty Level. QI (also called QI-1) covers 120–135% FPL. If your parent's income is too high for SLMB, QI may still apply.
2026 Income and Asset Limits
| Program | Monthly Income (Single) | Monthly Income (Couple) | Asset Limit (Single) | Asset Limit (Couple) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLMB | $1,330.01 – $1,596 | $1,803.34 – $2,164 | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| QI | $1,596.01 – $1,795.50 | $2,164.01 – $2,434.50 | $9,950 | $14,910 |
Income is gross monthly income minus the $20 standard unearned income disregard. Asset limits and exclusions are identical to QMB.
Key Differences Beyond Income
Funding: SLMB is a mandatory Medicaid benefit — New Jersey must cover everyone who qualifies. QI is funded through a capped federal block grant. In practice, this means QI funding could theoretically run out within a calendar year, making it wise to apply early in January. New Jersey has historically received enough funding to cover all applicants, but the mechanism matters.
Retroactivity: Both SLMB and QI can be applied retroactively up to three calendar months before the application month, as long as your parent was financially eligible during those months. This is a significant advantage over QMB, which is strictly prospective. If your parent qualified in July but didn't apply until October, SLMB or QI benefits can reach back to July — and SSA will issue a retroactive Part B premium refund check.
Extra Help: Both SLMB and QI trigger automatic deemed eligibility for full Extra Help on Part D prescription drugs. In 2026, copays are up to $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs for SLMB/QI-only members. Full-benefit duals with income at or below 100% FPL pay up to $1.60 and $4.90, respectively.
Free Download
Get the New Jersey — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
You Don't Need to Pick One
When you apply through NJSave, the state evaluates eligibility for all three MSP tiers automatically. If your parent's countable income is $1,500/month, NJSave will deny QMB (over the $1,330 limit) and approve SLMB. If income is $1,650, it will deny both QMB and SLMB and approve QI.
You file one application. The system places your parent in the right program.
What SLMB and QI Don't Cover
Neither program covers Medicare deductibles ($283 Part B annual deductible, $1,736 Part A inpatient deductible), coinsurance (20% of Part B services), or copays. Only QMB covers those. And neither pays the Part A premium for people without premium-free Part A — that's also QMB-only.
For prescription costs, the automatic Extra Help that comes with either program handles most of the gap. But if your parent wants additional drug cost protection, PAAD ($5/$7 copays, income up to $54,943) or Senior Gold ($15 + 50%, income up to $64,943) can layer on top.
The New Jersey Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help & PAAD/Senior Gold Guide includes the eligibility worksheet with the exact income math, plus worked examples showing how the programs stack.
Get Your Free New Jersey — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the New Jersey — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.