This Mother's Day, show someone you love how much you care
By Charles Hildebrand Special to the News

On Mother's Day, we celebrate the special people in our lives. There are a number of ways you can show someone you love how much you care. So consider doing something for them that can really make a difference. Show them how to get extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs.

The high cost of medicine can be a burden on your loved ones who have limited income and resources. Extra help - available through Social Security - can pay part of their monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription copayments. The extra help could be worth an average of $3,700 per year.

To figure out if they're eligible, Social Security needs to know your loved one's income and the value of their savings, investments and real estate (other than the home they live in). To qualify for the extra help, your loved one must be receiving Medicare and have:

* Monthly income limited to $1,276 for an individual or $1,711 for a married couple living together. Even if their monthly income is higher, your loved ones still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if they or their spouse: support other family members who live with them or have earnings from work

* Resources limited to $11,710 for an individual or $23,410 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count their house and car as resources.

Social Security has an easy-touse online application that anyone - family members, friends and caregivers - can complete. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov. To apply by phone or get an application, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.

So this Mother's Day, give someone you love something special: the peace of mind that comes with knowing extra help is available with Medicare prescription drug costs. Then go one step further - help them apply. There is no better way to show how much you care.