Skip to page content
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Email This Page E-mail This Page  Email Updates Subscribe to This Page 
DOL > EBSA > COBRA Assistance under ARRA

Recovery.gov LogoCOBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under ARRA

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who are involuntarily terminated from employment through the end of May 2010. Due to the statutory sunset, the COBRA premium reduction under ARRA is not available for individuals who experience involuntary terminations after May 31, 2010. However, individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare.

The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 signed by the President on July 22, 2010, did not extend the COBRA premium reduction. Individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare. If your COBRA continuation coverage lasts for more than 15 months, you will need to pay the full amount to continue your COBRA continuation coverage. See the Fact Sheet and FAQs for important information on maintaining your COBRA coverage after your subsidy expires.

Individuals who believe they have been incorrectly denied the subsidy may request the Employee Benefits Security Administration review their denial and issue a determination within 15 business days. The application to request a review is available on this Web site.

For Employees

For Employers

Posters and Flyers

General Information

Compliance Webcasts, Seminars and Workshops

Please subscribe to this page for notification of updates as guidance and educational information and tools are added. You can also contact a benefits advisor by calling toll free 1.866.444.3272 for more information.