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Illinois Medicare Savings Program income limits (2026)

In 2026, a single person in Illinois can have up to $1,355 a month for QMB and up to $1,821 for QI. For a married couple the limits are $1,829 and $2,460. That is more than the federal limits of $1,350 for QMB and $1,816 for QI.

Household

Gross Social Security or disability (before Part B comes out), pensions, interest.

Gross pay. The first $65 and half the rest don’t count.

Checking, savings, stocks and bonds. The home, one car and up to $1,500 each for burial don’t count.

Illinois monthly income limits · single

QMB$1,355
SLMB$1,621
QI$1,821
Asset limit$9,950

Illinois uses a $25 income disregard instead of $20.

2026 limits, which include each state’s income disregard. States switch to new limits each spring when the poverty guidelines update.

The result shows up here

Choose the client’s state and enter their monthly income to see whether they may qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, what the program pays, and how close they are to the limit.

Quote the plans that fit

Dual-eligible clients often fit a D-SNP, and QMB clients rarely need extra cost-sharing coverage. Quote Medicare Advantage, D-SNPs and Medigap in QuoteDeck and send the client one link.

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Illinois QMB, SLMB and QI limits for 2026

ProgramSingleMarried
QMBPart A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays$1,355/mo$1,829/mo
SLMBPart B premium$1,621/mo$2,189/mo
QIPart B premium$1,821/mo$2,460/mo
Asset limit$9,950$14,910

Countable savings can be up to the federal limit of $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a married couple.

What’s different in Illinois

  • Illinois sets its own income limits instead of the federal ones (federal QMB is $1,350 for one person).
  • Illinois uses a $25 income disregard instead of $20.
  • Clients under 65 who have Medicare because of a disability can qualify under the same limits.

Examples for a single client in Illinois

  • $1,200 a month: likely QMB, which pays the Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
  • $1,475 a month: likely SLMB, which pays the Part B premium.
  • $1,700 a month: likely QI, which pays the Part B premium.
  • $2,000 a month: above the limits. Check Extra Help for Part D, and whether any income may not count.

Every level pays the $202.90 monthly Part B premium, worth about $2,435 a year.

Questions agents ask

What is the 2026 QMB income limit in Illinois?
$1,355 a month for one person or $1,829 for a married couple, including the income disregard.
Does Illinois have an asset limit for Medicare Savings Programs?
Countable savings can be up to the federal limit of $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a married couple.
What is the highest income that qualifies for a Medicare Savings Program in Illinois?
$1,821 a month for one person or $2,460 for a married couple, for QI. Above that, the client may still qualify for Extra Help with Part D costs.
How does someone apply in Illinois?
Through the Illinois Medicaid agency. Applying for Extra Help through Social Security also sends the information to the state to start a Medicare Savings Program application.

This is a screening estimate, not a Medicaid decision. The Illinois Medicaid agency makes the final call and may switch to new limits in the spring. See limits for every state.

Sources: NCOA: MSP eligibility and coverage (2026), Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs.