SSA Publication No. 05-10040

Beginning January 1, 2010, changes in the law will make it easier for some people to qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act:

• SSA will no longer count as a resource any life insurance policy; and
• SSA will no longer count as income the help you receive regularly from someone else to pay your household expenses-food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes.