Marian Woodward is on a tight budget but always makes sure her bills are paid. Like many older adults, she’s on a fixed income.

“Because I don't have a retirement. That's all I have is Social Security," says Woodward.

She and her husband are on Medicare, and are signed up for the Medicare savings program, which helps older adults like Marian save thousands of dollars a year in health care costs. The Woodwards get around $175 back in their Social Security check every month and pay nothing in copays for medication.

“That's a big help. That's extra money, especially food wise. going shopping, going grocery shopping," Woodward said. 

According to state officials, around 1 million New Yorkers are now enrolled in the Medicare savings program, but many people still don’t know about it or think they might not be eligible. Over the last few years, eligibility was increased by several hundred dollars, expanding access to the program for hundreds of thousands of individuals. The state is encouraging people to check their eligibility. 

“It will pay for premiums, copays, deductibles, prescriptions. Part A, part B, based on your income. You can apply for this and you're automatically eligible for what's called the extra help. And that can literally and does put about $7,000 back into people's Social Security checks," says Greg Olsen, the director of the state's Office for the Aging.

Woodward says programs like these are essential so older adults don’t have to budget for things like medications.

“You want to live, you want to be healthy. So we would sacrifice, let me put it that way. We would sacrifice something else in order to have our medication," Woodward said.