Update: Federal agencies begin releasing information on new COBRA premium subsidy program

To help employers and employees understand new COBRA premium subsidies, federal agencies have started releasing guidance. Enacted with the stimulus law, the subsidy program aims to help people pay for continued health coverage after an involuntary job loss between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009. New DOL materials address broad aspects of the program, while IRS questions and answers focus on how employers can claim the premium subsidy. This Update describes these resources, including ones that employers may want to share with employees until notices about the subsidy program are available.  (Update, 27 Feb 2009, 1 page)

• Full Update
• DOL COBRA premium assistance program website
• Full text of COBRA subsidy fact sheet (DOL, 26 Feb 2009)
• Full text of employer flyer on COBRA subsidy (DOL, 26 Feb 2009) (PDF)
• Full text of employee flyer on COBRA subsidy (DOL, 26 Feb 2009) (PDF)
• Full text of job loss poster (DOL, Dec 2008) (PDF)
• DOL's website with COBRA FAQs for employers
• DOL's website with COBRA FAQs for employees
• Alert: IRS issues early guidance on COBRA subsidies

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