Many people with Medicare who have limited income and limited resources can get extra help in paying for prescription drug coverage by applying for a subsidy now.

If an individuals receive a subsidy, it may be applied to their prescription costs beginning Jan. 1.

Some people will qualify to enroll in a plan and pay no premium, deductibles or co-pays.

Others will qualify to enroll in a plan with a reduced deductible and others will qualify to pay a sliding scale premium and small co-pays.

Free assistance to complete subsidy applications for those individuals who qualify will be provided at the South Point Library, 317 Solida Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

This assistance will be provided by Ohio Senior Services Insurance Information Program trained volunteers.

All applicants must be enrolled in Medicare and not receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Social Insurance or Medicare Savings Programs.

People enrolled in these programs do not need to apply for the subsidy.

Their prescription drug costs will be managed by Medicare starting Jan. 1, 2006.

Those who complete subsidy applications should meet the income and asset guidelines. Those who are single must make no more than $1,200 a month and below $1,600 a month for married couples.

Income means any money from work, Social Security, retirement benefits, alimony, rental property, worker's compensation, etc.

Asset guidelines for individuals are below $10,000 for those who are single and below $20,000 for married couples.

Assets are resources like bank accounts, investments, life insurance policies and extra real estate.

They do not include your home, the land it stands on, vehicles, burial plots or personal possessions.