By Kathy Chaffin

Salisbury Post

Additional help on the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is available for low-income seniors.

Assistance is available through the Social Security Administration and the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund.

Social Security’s guideline for individuals is a maximum annual income $14,700 and maximum resources of $10,000. Resources include stocks, bonds, IRAs, etc., but not an individual’s home and car.

The guideline for couples is a maximum annual income of $19,800 and maximum resources of $20,000.

Applications are available at the local Social Security office at 1816 E. Innes St. as well as the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center through Rowan Senior Services, according to Pam Leonard, county coordinator of the SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program).

The guidelines for the state program, called NCRX, are higher. The individual guideline is a maximum annual income of $17,150 and maximum resources of $20,000.

The guideline for couples is a maximum annual household income of $23,100 and maximum resources of $30,000.

Individuals or couples who meet those guidelines, are 65 or older and residents of North Carolina may log onto www.ncrx.gov and download an application.

“The NCRX is a new initiative by the Governor’s office,” Leonard said. “It hasn’t been out but just a couple of weeks actually.”

Applications are also available through Rowan Senior Services. For more information, call 704-216-7700.