President Obama signed into law on April 15, 2010, another extension of the COBRA premium assistance which extends through May 31, 2010, the period during which individuals may become eligible for the COBRA subsidy. The new law also provides retroactive eligibility for individuals who lost their jobs after the prior COBRA subsidy expired on March 31, 2010.

President Obama signed into law on March 2, 2010, the “Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (TEA)” which extends through March 31, 2010, the period during which individuals may become eligible for the COBRA subsidy. TEA also allows a second election opportunity to individuals who have had a reduction in hours occurring between September 1, 2008 and March 31, 2010, and had an involuntary termination on or after March 2, 2010 through March 31, 2010.  Notification of the new amendments to the ARRA will be made by PEEHIP to the applicable individuals within the time frame specified by law.

President Obama signed into law on December 21, 2009, an extension and expansion of the COBRA premium subsidy law under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The new law extends the eligibility period through February 28, 2010 (from December 31, 2009), and expands the maximum period for receiving the subsidy an additional six months (from nine to 15 months). Notification of the new amendments to the ARRA will be made by PEEHIP to the applicable individuals within the time frame specified by law.