In a recent column, I discussed advice to consider providing to your mother or grandmother for Mother's Day. Now that Father's Day is right around the corner, here's a reminder for all children, grandchildren and caregivers about Social Security's important "extra help" campaign for Medicare beneficiaries. The theme of this campaign is: "I helped my dad save $3,600 on prescription drugs. You can, too!"

In New England, more than 100,000 folks have been found to be eligible for this extra help benefit. It is believed that many more individuals may be eligible.

We all know the high cost of medicine can be a burden on fathers who have limited income and resources. But extra help - available through Social Security - could pay part of his monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription copayments. The extra help could be worth up to $3,600 per year.

For your father to be eligible for the extra help, he must be receiving Medicare and also have:

Income limited to $15,600 for an individual or $21,000 for a married couple living together.

Even if his annual income is higher, he still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments.

Examples where income may be higher include if he or his spouse: support other family members who live with them; have earnings from work; or live in Alaska or Hawaii.

Resources limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living together.

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Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count his house and car as resources.

Social Security has an easy to- use online application that you can help complete for your father. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov.To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the "Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs" (SSA-1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.

Reaching age 65 or full retirement age in 2008? - If you will turn 65 or reach full retirement age in 2008 and have not filed a Social Security or Medicare application, we can provide you with information that will be helpful in determining when to file an application. Mail us the following information:

- Your name.
- Social Security number.
- Estimated 2007 earnings.
- Estimated 2008 earnings.
- Complete mailing address.
- Telephone number (both home and work).
-Date of birth.
- If you plan to retire in 2008, month in which you would.
- Spouse's Social Security number.
- Spouse's date of birth.
- If spouse is deceased, give date of death.

Send it to: Your Social Security, Social Security Administration, 3885 Main St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeport CT 06606. Attn: A. Renzoni.

Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration. His column appears every Monday.