Utah SLMB Program: Income Limits and What It Covers

Your parent makes too much for QMB but the Part B premium still stings. That's exactly the gap SLMB fills.

What SLMB Pays For

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program does one thing: it pays the Medicare Part B premium. In 2026, that's $202.90 per month — $2,434.80 a year that stays in your parent's pocket instead of being deducted from Social Security.

SLMB does not cover Part A premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, or copays. For those, your parent would need to qualify for QMB, which has lower income limits.

2026 Income and Asset Limits

SLMB covers individuals between 100% and 120% of the federal poverty level (after the $20 monthly disregard):

• Single: $1,351 to $1,616/month
• Couple: $1,825 to $2,184/month
• Resource limits: $9,950 (single) / $14,910 (couple)

If income falls at or below $1,350 (single) or $1,824 (couple), your parent qualifies for QMB instead, which covers substantially more. DWS evaluates for the most beneficial program automatically.

SLMB vs. QMB vs. QI

The three programs form a tiered structure based on income:

• QMB (up to 100% FPL): Pays premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays
• SLMB (101–120% FPL): Pays Part B premium only
• QI (121–135% FPL): Pays Part B premium only, but funding is capped

SLMB has one advantage over QI: funding isn't subject to an annual federal cap. Once approved, coverage continues as long as you remain eligible. QI funding runs out when the annual allotment is exhausted.

SLMB-Plus

If your parent qualifies for both SLMB and full Medicaid (meeting the lower traditional Medicaid income and asset thresholds), they receive SLMB-Plus. This adds full Medicaid benefits — including dental coverage and long-term services — alongside the Part B premium payment.

SLMB-Plus recipients who receive long-term care services should be aware that those non-MSP Medicaid costs may be subject to estate recovery. The SLMB premium payment itself is always exempt.

Retroactive Coverage

Unlike QMB (which is strictly prospective), SLMB can be applied retroactively for up to three months before the application month, as long as your parent met all eligibility criteria during those months. This means DWS could approve SLMB coverage going back three months and SSA would refund the Part B premiums deducted during that period.

How to Apply

Same process as any Medicare Savings Program in Utah — through the Department of Workforce Services:

• Online: myCase portal at jobs.utah.gov/mycase
• Phone: 1-866-435-7414
• Paper: Form 61, mailed to DWS

You don't need to specify which MSP you're applying for. DWS evaluates your parent's income and resources and assigns the appropriate program level.

The Utah Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide explains how to calculate whether your parent falls in the SLMB range and what to expect during the 30–60 day buy-in processing period after approval.

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