Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: SLMB pays your Medicare Part B premium. You apply through your county, on the Medi-Cal application or a short form. It can also pay back up to 3 earlier months.
Who runs it: Santa Clara County / DHCS

What the program may consider

You have Medicare
SLMB income limit, after income that does not count
California 2026 resource rule

How to get it

SLMB pays your Medicare Part B premium. You apply through your county, on the Medi-Cal application or a short form. It can also pay back up to 3 earlier months.

Before you start

You need this first Original Medicare. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B. Part A can be free or one you pay for.

How to apply

California's one application for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid

Online it is BenefitsCal. On paper it is the SAWS 2 PLUS. One application can ask for several programs at once.

The same application can also ask for CalFresh Food, CalWORKs, Extra Help with Medicare drug costs, General Assistance, Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal and 11 more.

OnlineBenefitsCal websiteApply online for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid, any time of day.
PhoneHICAP free Medicare counseling: 1-800-434-0222Free, unbiased help with Medicare choices.
PhoneSanta Clara County benefits line: (408) 758-3800Apply or ask questions by phone, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FaxSanta Clara County benefits fax: (408) 295-9248
MailSanta Clara County benefits mail: P.O. Box 11018, San Jose, CA 95103
In personSanta Clara County benefits offices: 1867 Senter Rd, San Jose; 1330 W. Middlefield Rd, Mountain View; 379 Tomkins Ct, Gilroy

You can also use: Short application for QMB, SLMB and QI only (form MC 14 A)

A paper form you mail to your county social services office. The limits printed on it are old. The savings limit is now $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for two. This help is not taken back from your estate.

You can also use: Social Security's Extra Help application

Apply online, by phone, or on paper. Social Security also sends your answers to the state, unless you say no. Your county then mails you forms for help with Medicare costs. Send them back to finish that application.

Getting help

Someone can apply for you

Anyone can help you fill out the application. You can also name a person or an organization to act for you on form MC 382. They can sign your application and renewals, send papers, and ask about your case. You can limit what they may do. They get copies of your letters only if you ask on the form. You can cancel at any time. In Santa Clara County, a name typed into a helper's own app does not count as your signature. Sign in ink, by phone with the county, or through an approved e-signing service.

You can name a person or an organization to act for you: ask for Appointment of Authorized Representative (MC 382).

What happens after you apply

The county gets your application. It first checks records it can see, like your Social Security and Medicare data.
The county
The county may mail you forms to sign and a list of papers to send. Send them by the due date on the letter. They may ask for proof of income, savings, and Medicare Part A and Part B.
Only if the county needs more from you
The countyA helper can help with this You get 10 days. If you miss it, the county contacts you once more and gives 10 more days.
You get a letter that says yes or no.
The countyWithin 45 days of the day you applied.
SLMB can start the month you applied. It can also cover up to 3 months before that, if you ask and qualified then.
The county
The state tells Medicare it will pay your Part B premium.
The stateAbout 2 months after the county approves it.
Social Security stops taking the Part B premium from your check. It pays you back for the months the state covers. That refund counts as savings in the month you get it.
Social Security
You then get Extra Help with Medicare drug costs automatically. You do not need to apply for it.
Medicare
If you have no Medicare drug coverage, Medicare signs you up for a drug plan. You can pick a different plan. The choice is yours. HICAP gives free, unbiased help. Need medicine before it starts? Ask the pharmacy about LI NET. It is short-term Medicare drug coverage.
Only if you have no Medicare drug coverage
Medicare

What only you can do

Sign the application, or sign form MC 382 so a helper can sign for you.
You choose: help with Medicare costs only, or full Medi-Cal too. Help with Medicare costs is not paid back from your estate. Some full Medi-Cal care after age 55 can be.
Have Medicare Part A and Part B in place. If you want the 3 earlier months paid, ask for them when you apply.
Give proof of your income, savings, and Medicare when the county asks.
Keep the drug plan Medicare picks, or choose your own. The choice is yours. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
Tell the county within 10 days about changes, like more income or savings, or a move.
Send back your yearly renewal form and any proof the county asks for.

How long it takes: About 2 to 4 months until the Part B premium stops coming out of your check. Social Security then pays you back for covered months.
You are enrolled when: You have an SLMB approval letter. Social Security no longer takes the Part B premium from your check. SLMB pays only that premium. With SLMB only, you get no Medi-Cal card.
To keep it: The county checks again each year, including your savings. It also checks when the income limits change each April. Send back any renewal form, keep Medicare Part A and B, and report changes within 10 days.

Can’t be combined with

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB). You can have only one of QMB, SLMB or QI. The county picks the one that fits your income.
Qualifying Individual (QI). You can have only one of QMB, SLMB or QI. The county picks the one that fits your income.
Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP). People with SSI cannot get SLMB. If they have Part B, the state gives them QMB instead.

Coming changes

Starting January 1, 2027: For applications from January 1, 2027, SLMB can pay for only 2 months back, not 3.
Starting January 4, 2027: Some people who are not citizens lose Medicare on January 4, 2027. Citizens and green card holders keep it. Without Medicare, SLMB ends too.
Starting July 1, 2027: Starting July 1, 2027, the Medi-Cal savings limit drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for a couple. Today it is $130,000 and $195,000. It is not yet known if the new limit applies to SLMB.

Choosing a Medicare plan is your decision. UniHealth does not choose, recommend, or enroll anyone in Medicare plans. For free, unbiased help, call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.