Those who recently joined the ranks of the almost 12 million unemployed may qualify for provisions such as COBRA health insurance subsidies, an extension of unemployment benefits and favorable tax treatment.

COBRA health care subsidy
Terminated employees who are eligible for COBRA health insurance under their former employer's plan no longer have to pay the full premium for the first nine months of coverage.

As part of the stimulus legislation, employers will pay 65 percent of the premium, for which they will receive a tax credit or government reimbursement. The terminated employee will be responsible for paying the remaining 35 percent of the premium.

Traditionally, terminated employees who wanted to continue with their employer's group health insurance plan could do so with COBRA, but they had to pay 100 percent of the premium, plus a 2 percent administrative fee. This legislation aims to make the insurance more affordable by subsidizing the premium portion of the payment.

"Health insurance premiums can easily exceed $1,000 a month for one family," says Michelle Oliver, owner of the Oliver Financial Group in Richmond, Va. "Unfortunately, a lot of people can't afford that cost, especially when they're unemployed, so they opt to decline health care coverage."

The first reduced payments begin in March 2009.

How to take advantage. If you were recently laid off and opted out of COBRA, you now have the opportunity to reconsider and enroll. A new 60-day enrollment window began with enactment of the law Feb. 17.

The stimulus package has a provision that subsidizes 65 percent of a laid-off worker's COBRA health insurance premium.

Cobra Plan Facts

·         Plan applies to workers laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009.

·         Coverage lasts for nine months.

·         Subsidy starts to phase out at annual income levels of $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.

The COBRA legislation extends to people laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009. If you began participating in COBRA sometime after last Sept. 1, you may be granted a refund or a credit against future premiums.

Not everyone will be able to receive the benefit. If you've never participated in an employer health insurance plan, you won't be eligible.