If an employee is involuntarily terminated no later than December 31, 2009, but the qualified beneficiary is not eligible for COBRA until on or after January 1, 2010, is the qualified beneficiary eligible for ARRA premium assistance?
No. Under ARRA, an assistance eligible individual is a qualified beneficiary as the result of an involuntary termination that occurred during the period from September 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009, is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage at any time during that period, and elects the COBRA continuation coverage. An individual who does not become eligible for COBRA until after December 31, 2009 does not meet the qualifications to be an Assistance Eligible Individual and would therefore be ineligible for the ARRA premium assistance. Please note that this is the correct information based on the current law; however, there is pending legislation that could extend the ARRA premium assistance. Please subscribe to the COBRA page for updates.
Related Questions
- If an employee is involuntarily terminated no later than December 31, 2009, but the qualified beneficiary is not eligible for COBRA until on or after January 1, 2010, is the qualified beneficiary eligible for ARRA premium assistance?
- May a Qualified Beneficiary add a person as a dependent as a result of marriage or birth while covered under COBRA continuation coverage?
- If a Qualified Beneficiary waives coverage under COBRA, can they subsequently change their mind and elect COBRA coverage?
