NorthWest Senior and Disability Services has received a grant to help low-income seniors and adults with physical disabilities access the Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries program, QMB, which can pay for Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles and co-insurance.

To receive QMB benefits, the person must also be receiving Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), meet income limits, and have assets below $6,600 for an individual and $9,910 for a couple. These asset limits do not include the family home or car.

With the grant, Northwest Senior and Disability Services can also help Medicare eligible seniors and adults with physical disabilities apply for extra help from the Social Security Administration to pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

In 2009, persons with incomes below $21,855 for a married couple, $16,245 for a single person, and with assets below $25,010 for a couple, and $12,510 for an individual, can apply to reduce their prescription drug co-pays and insurance premiums and eliminate the gap in coverage known as the “Doughnut Hole.”

For information about applying for Medicare assistance programs, call Beth Jackson at (800) 469-8772. Information is also located at (www.nwsds.org)