Social Security says you may apply for Extra Help at any time before or after enrolling in Part D.
What happens if you qualify without a drug plan
Medicare says it will enroll a qualifying person in a Medicare drug plan if the person does not already have one, so the Extra Help savings can be used. Medicare sends a notice identifying the plan. You may choose a different Medicare drug plan.
Do not ignore other drug coverage
If you have employer, union, VA, TRICARE, or other prescription coverage, check with its benefits administrator before joining Part D. Medicare warns that adding Medicare drug coverage can cause some employer or union coverage to end for you or your dependents.
If you qualify automatically
You do not file an Extra Help application if you already qualify automatically through full-benefit Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program that helps pay your Part B premium, or SSI. Read the notice from Medicare and review any plan enrollment it describes.
Action to take
Apply through Social Security if you are not automatically qualified. Separately compare Medicare drug plans, including covered prescriptions and pharmacies. Keep the eligibility and plan notices and act by any date printed on them.