The Texas Health and Human Services Commission runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which help a parent pay Medicare costs. Per HHSC's 2026 budget chart, the QMB monthly income limit is $1,330 for one person and $1,804 for a couple, with a resource limit of $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. QMB pays Medicare premiums and cost-sharing; two lower tiers, SLMB and QI, help with the Part B premium at higher income.
By state
Texas Medicare Savings Program Income Limits: What a Parent Qualifies For (2026)
By Chuck Brodsky, Co-Founder, MediNav — Updated July 2026 — 6 min read
Quick answer
If a parent in Texas struggles to afford Medicare, the Medicare Savings Programs can pay premiums and, at the QMB level, cost-sharing too. The income limits are higher than many families assume, so it is worth checking your parent's numbers against the Texas figures.
The 2026 Texas MSP income limits
Texas HHSC publishes its own figures, effective in 2026: the QMB monthly income limit is $1,330 for one person and $1,804 for a couple. The SLMB and QI tiers extend eligibility to somewhat higher incomes for help with the Part B premium. Because Texas ties these to the federal poverty guidelines and publishes them in its budget reference chart, use the Texas numbers rather than a national estimate when checking a Texas parent.
The resource (asset) limits
For the Medicare Savings Programs, the 2026 Texas resource limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. Countable resources generally include bank accounts and investments, while the home and one vehicle are typically excluded. A parent modestly over the income line should still check, because some income does not count.
What each tier pays
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program is the most generous: it pays Medicare premiums and protects the parent from Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and Qualifying Individual programs pay the Part B premium at higher income levels. Qualifying for any of them also brings automatic Extra Help with Part D drug costs, often worth as much as the premium relief.
Nursing-home Medicaid is different
The Medicare Savings Programs are separate from Medicaid for nursing-home care. For institutional Medicaid, Texas uses a special income limit of $2,982 a month and a resource limit of $2,000 for one person in 2026. If your parent needs long-term care rather than just help with Medicare costs, those are the figures that apply. See the national QMB application guide for how the programs fit together.
What a caregiver should do
Compare your parent's monthly income to the Texas QMB limit of $1,330 (one person) or $1,804 (a couple) and their resources to $9,950 or $14,910. Apply through Texas HHSC — by phone, online at YourTexasBenefits.com, or through 2-1-1. For advocacy in a facility, the Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman is at 1-800-252-2412.
When to call MediNav
- Free: Ask a specific question — tell us your Texas parent's income and get a straight answer on likely MSP eligibility.
- Free: Run the coverage check — in about two minutes, see what a parent is likely eligible for with 2026 figures for your state.
- Paid ($9–$19/mo): MediNav Watch and Watch+ re-check the figures as they change each year and remind you before deadlines, so nothing lapses unnoticed.
Related guides
- QMB: How to Apply — the top Medicare Savings Program
- Medicare Savings Program Asset Limits — the federal floor and state waivers
- Is My Parent Dual-Eligible? — the most complete low-cost coverage
- What Is Extra Help? — the drug subsidy MSP unlocks
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 Texas QMB income limits?
Per Texas HHSC's 2026 budget chart, the QMB monthly income limit is $1,330 for one person and $1,804 for a couple. The resource limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. Use these Texas figures rather than a national estimate when checking a Texas parent's eligibility.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Texas?
Apply through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission — online at YourTexasBenefits.com, by phone at 800-252-9240, by calling 2-1-1, or at a local office. Gather proof of your parent's income, resources, and Medicare enrollment before applying to make the process smoother.
Does QMB help with drug costs?
Yes. Qualifying for any Medicare Savings Program automatically enrolls your parent in Extra Help, the Part D low-income subsidy that lowers prescription costs. For many families this drug-cost help is worth as much as the premium and cost-sharing relief the program provides.
What if my parent needs nursing-home care, not just premium help?
That is institutional Medicaid, which is separate. For 2026 Texas uses a special income limit of $2,982 a month and a resource limit of $2,000 for one person for nursing-facility Medicaid. The Medicare Savings Programs only help with Medicare costs, not long-term-care coverage.
Are my parent's savings counted?
For the Medicare Savings Programs, countable resources are compared to $9,950 (one person) or $14,910 (a couple), but the home and one vehicle generally do not count. A parent slightly over the income limit should still apply, because some income is excluded and the tiers extend to higher incomes.
Who can help my parent in a Texas nursing home?
The Texas Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Its statewide number is 1-800-252-2412. For eligibility and application help, contact Texas HHSC directly or call 2-1-1.
Sources: Texas HHSC — MEPD Appendix XXXI Budget Reference Chart, Texas HHSC — Medicare Savings Programs (Q-1000), Texas Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Last verified July 2026.