COBRA Subsidy Extended Again

On March 2, 2010, President Obama signed legislation that once again extends the eligibility period for the COBRA subsidy provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Temporary Extension Act of 2010, H.R. 4691, extends the eligibility date for the 65% COBRA subsidy by an additional month, from February 28, 2010 to March 31, 2010.

As originally enacted, an assistance eligible individual was one who was involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. In December 2009, the eligibility date was extended to February 28, 2010 and the subsidy period was increased from 9 months to 15 months. The eligibility date has now been extended to March 31, 2010 and the subsidy period remains at 15 months.

For more information on the Temporary Extension Act of 2010, visti the U.S. Department of Labor at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html