On Mother's Day we celebrate the special people in our lives.

Although there are many ways you can show someone you love how much you care, you may want to consider doing something that can really make a difference in their lives. You can show them how to get extra help with their Medicare prescription drug costs. The high cost of medicine can be a burden on your loved ones who have limited income and resources. Extra help- available through Social Security - can pay part of their monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help could be worth up to $3,600 per year.

To figure out if they're eligible, Social Security needs to know your loved ones' income and the value of their savings, investments and real estate (other than the home they live in). To qualify for extra help, your loved one must be receiving Medicare and have the following:

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

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

Some examples where income may be higher include if they or their 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. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds.

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We do not count their house and car as resources.

Social Security has an easyto- use online application that anyone (family members, friends and caregivers) can complete. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov.To apply by telephone or to get an application, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778) and ask for the "Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs" (SSA-1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.

To learn more information about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-4862048).

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.