The End of COBRA Premium Subsidy Extension and Lessons Learned
On Friday, June 28th, the House of Representatives approved American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213). This legislation requires 401(k) fee disclosures, provide relief for pension funds and extend unemployment benefits. However, noticeably absent from the was a planned extension of the COBRA premium subsidy, which was omitted in order to gain enough votes for passage. The Bill passed, 215-204, before the House recessed... [Read More...]
Yet Another COBRA Subsidy Extension…
Thursday, April 22nd, President Obama signed into law the third or fourth extension (I’ve lost count) to the COBRA Premiums Subsidy, the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 4851), which also extended the federal unemployment benefits and the eligibility date to the COBRA Premium Subsidy Program. Under the signed bill, the 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums is now extended for individuals who lost their job from April 1, 2010, through... [Read More...]
Another Thirty Day COBRA Subsidy Extension Signed Into Law Helps Those Involuntarily Terminated Through End of March 2010
This week President Obama signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010, after the Senate voted to pass the measure. The Act, generally referred to as an extension of unemployment benefits, also extends eligibility for the 65% COBRA subsidy to individuals who have involuntary terminations through March 31, 2010. Eligibility had expired for terminations after February 28, 2010. The law is retroactive, so that persons who were involuntarily terminated... [Read More...]
What Texas Businesses Must Know about the ARRA COBRA Premium Subsidy
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009 by President Obama. The ARRA allowed for a 65% government subsidy of COBRA premiums for American workers involuntarily terminated from employment. This COBRA subsidy was extended on December 19, 2009 to continue assistance for struggling American workers. Employers are required to cover the 65% of COBRA premiums up front as assistance for their former... [Read More...]
COBRA Subsidy Bill Expires Again; New COBRA Subsidy Bill Extension Approval Coming Soon…
Congress let the Federal COBRA Subsidy expire at the end of February. New legislation to extend the subsidy retroactive to March 1st is expected to be passed and enacted into law within the next two weeks. Federal unemployment assistance also expired February 28th but an extension is expected to be included in the same legislation that will extend the COBRA subsidy. Combined, this legislation has a price tag of $11+ billion. This will... [Read More...]
Deadline nears on COBRA Premium Subsidy
The extended two-month eligibility period for the premium subsidy program is set to end this Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. This means that workers involuntarily terminated starting March 1 will not be eligible to receive the 65 percent premium reduction of COBRA or state continuation benefits. Many believe there is Congressional support for extending the premium subsidy eligibility period again, and expect consideration of the issue in coming weeks. My hope... [Read More...]
Its an early COBRABusters Christmas Gift From Congress!
<Updated 12/22/09: The US Senate approved and the President signed into law today the COBRA subsidy Extension as part of the 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill.> The US House of Representatives today passed a surprise early Christmas gift for job seekers, passing a bill extending the COBRA Subsidy eligibility period for two months, and they extended the maximum COBRA Subsidy period from from nine months to 15 months. The new COBRA Subsidy... [Read More...]
COBRA Subsidy Extension: Congressional Xmas Gift or Xmas Trap?
Will Congress pass an early Christmas gift for the 10+ percent of the country who are presently unemployed by extending the COBRA subsidy? While a COBRA subsidy extension remains uncertain, the healthcare Washington watchers that I follow now believe that Congress will eventually extend the law that subsidizes COBRA health care premiums for assistance-eligible employees. Will an extension be passed by Congress and signed into law by Christmas? ... [Read More...]
Frost: Extending COBRA Subsidy Likely Rests on Health Reform Bill Passage
Employee Benefits Advisor magazine’s Lydell Bridgford reports on 11/1/2009 that the likelihood of Congress extending the COBRA subsidy beyond Dec. 31st “all depends.” The link to trackback and read the full article in the Nov. 1 edition of Employee Benefits Advisor magaizne is listed below. Individuals and families who are hoping that Congress acts in time to keep COBRA affordable may be unnecessarily putting their families... [Read More...]
How & Where to Appeal if You’ve Been Turned Down for the ARRA COBRA Subsidy and State Continuation Subsidy
The Department of Labor have created a nifty web page where individuals can appeal if they feel they have been unfairly turned down for the ARRA COBRA and State Continuation 65% premium subsidy. You can file an online appeal directly to the Department of Labor (the fastest way), or you can fax or snail mail a written appeal if you use the DOL appeals form located here. The above webpage also gives some great guidance to help individuals to... [Read More...]
