What is the COBRA ARPA subsidy?

Asked by: Tanya Heathcote V  |  Last update: July 2, 2025
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Overview of COBRA and the Subsidy Program In 2021, the federal government introduced the COBRA subsidy program under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The subsidy covered 100% of the COBRA premium costs for assistance eligible individuals (AEI) from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.

What is the COBRA subsidy?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, ...

What are Arpa subsidies?

Temporary subsidies were originally passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, which included two years of enhanced subsidies (2021 and 2022). The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which passed in 2022, extended these enhanced subsidies for an additional three years, ending after 2025.

What is Arpa COBRA?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) includes a federally-financed COBRA subsidy that is available for up to six months for eligible individuals. ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The law provides for COBRA health insurance premium assistance for individuals who meet certain requirements.

How do I claim my COBRA subsidy credit?

Request a Refund for Amounts Paid in COBRA Premiums Exceeding Federal Employment Tax Liability: The employer may claim the Credit through an employment tax refund on the applicable employment tax return, generally Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return.

ARPA - COBRA Subsidy - What you need to know

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How long does the COBRA subsidy last?

The subsidy is available for 9 months of coverage. The subsidy does not change or extend the overall COBRA continuation coverage, which is usually 18 months from the qualifying event.

Is COBRA premium subsidy taxable income?

Taxability of Subsidies

The premium subsidy is not included in the individual's income. However, there is a phase-out of eligibility for the subsidy, which will increase some high-income individuals' tax liability if they receive the subsidy.

Who gets ARPA funds?

The plan included $350 billion in emergency funding for state, local, territorial and tribal governments, known as the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. State governments and the District of Columbia will receive $195.3 billion of the state portion of the recovery funds over two tranche disbursements.

Can you get a refund for COBRA?

COBRA is the law that requires your previous employer to offer coverage through their group health plan. You would need to contact your previous employer's COBRA Administrator (usually in the HR Department) or you may contact your provider directly to inquire about a refund for payments you've made after cancellation.

What is ARPA credit?

The credits are equal to 100 percent of up to two weeks (to a maximum of 80 hours) of the qualified sick leave wages and up to 12 weeks of the qualified family leave wages (including certain collectively bargained contributions), plus allocable qualified health plan expenses, and the employer's allocable share of ...

What is the best use of ARPA funds?

❖ Reporting will be more complicated due to the required separate tracking of ARPA and VOCA funds. Due to this, it may be best to use ARPA funds for items like rent, utilities, Osnium (or other) tracking systems, office supplies, program supplies, emergency funds, or other items that do not require OVC PMT reporting.

Who qualifies for the American Rescue Plan?

Qualified Populations

Qualifying Populations for HOME-ARP funds include individuals and families who are: Experiencing homelessness. At risk of becoming homeless. Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking.

Who is eligible for the $1,400 subsidy card?

$1,400 for each child dependent under the age of 17. $1,400 for each qualifying adult dependent. If you're a single filer, your payment is reduced if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is above $75,000. For married couples filing jointly, the phase-out begins at an AGI of $150,000.

Who is not eligible for COBRA?

Why would an employee not qualify to enroll in Cal-COBRA? The employee is enrolled in or eligible for Medicare. The employee does not enroll within 60 days of receiving the notice of eligibility from the employer. The employee is covered by another health plan.

Who pays for COBRA benefits?

COBRA allows former employees, retirees, and their dependents to temporarily keep their health coverage. If you get COBRA, you must pay for the entire premium, including any portion that your employer may have paid in the past.

Can you claim COBRA on your taxes?

Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.

What is a COBRA subsidy?

The federal government initiated several programs to address the challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak. One of these programs was the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy, which excluded qualified individuals from paying premiums for a specified duration.

What are the disadvantages of COBRA coverage?

COBRA cons
  • COBRA can be expensive, especially compared to the premiums you were paying before your qualifying event. ...
  • COBRA does not apply to all employer-sponsored health plans—in particular, those organizations with fewer than 20 employees may have no requirements. ...
  • Even if you get an extension, COBRA is only temporary.

What happens when COBRA subsidy ends?

You can continue on COBRA unsubsidized until your 18 months of COBRA eligibility ends. In addition, you will have the option to enroll in marketplace coverage when the subsidy ends in September. Loss of the COBRA subsidy will make you eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP) to sign up for marketplace coverage.

How long will ARPA funds last?

While the December 31, 2024, deadline requires funds to be obligated, spending can continue through December 31, 2026. This means you can align obligations with long-term priorities, such as workforce development, infrastructure and affordable housing—as long as the obligations are finalized by December 31, 2024.

How do I apply for ARPA funds?

To apply for funding, an institution must have an account with Grants.gov. If you do not have a Grants.gov account, you may create an account at the following link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

What does ARPA stand for?

The American Rescue Plan Act (commonly known as “ARPA” or “ARP”) was signed into law on March 11, 2021 to provide additional financial relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can COBRA premiums be refunded?

Premium payments for your COBRA health insurance continuation coverage, will coverage for a full month. Major medical plans will most often start on the first of the month and end on the last day. Generally, there are no refunds when you cancel your plan early.

What is the 60 day loophole for cobras?

You have 60 days to enroll in COBRA once your employer-sponsored benefits end. Even if your enrollment is delayed, you will be covered by COBRA starting the day your prior coverage ended.

Does healthcare subsidy count as income?

The subsidies (both premium assistance tax credits and cost-sharing reductions) are not considered income and are not taxed. Read more: How the American Rescue Plan has boosted premium subsidies and made health coverage more affordable.