Trained AARP volunteers will offer assistance completing applications for extra help to pay for the costs of the new Medicare prescription drug coverage, which begins Jan. 1, 2006.

Qualifications are:

4Must be enrolled in Medicare and meet income and asset/resource guidelines.

4Income limits for singles are under $14,355 a year and asset/resource limit is $11,500. Income limits for married couples living together are under $19,245 a year and asset/resource limit is $23,000.

4Asset/resources do not include your home, vehicles and personal possessions.

4Individuals should bring their Social Security card and know their monthly income when they visit a site.

AARP officials say this month is extremely important time to submit these applications to enable the Social Security Administration to process the applications and send information back to the people applying as to whether they qualify and the amount they will receive.

Help will be available:

Monday - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Collins Career Center, Getaway.

Tuesday - 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Blackfork; and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Chesapeake.

Saturday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Church of the Nazarene, Sunrise.

Aug. 22 - 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jae Roush Community Center, Coal Grove; and 6-8 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Chesapeake.

Aug. 25 - 10 a.m. to 12 noon, (Old East Elementary School) Community Mission Outreach, Chesapeake; and 6-8 p.m. United Methodist Church, Chesapeake.

Aug. 29 - 1:30-3:30 p.m., Ironton Senior Center, Park Ave. Apartments; and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jae Roush Community Center in Coal Grove.

Aug. 30 - 1:30-3:30 p.m., Sybene Multipurpose Center.