The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law on March 27, provided for payments of up to $1,200 for every adult and $500 per dependent child. This stimulus payment does not count as income for Medicaid/CHIP or Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) determinations. It should also not be reported on any application for assistance. Some other points to keep in mind:
- Regular unemployment is always counted as income.
- The extension of unemployment of up to 39 weeks and the expansion of unemployment to new populations is counted as income.
- The additional $600/week supplemental unemployment benefit ends July 31, 2020; this benefit does not count toward Medicaid/CHIP but DOES COUNT toward income for Marketplace Coverage and APTC eligibility.
While the Federal government has not issued a special enrollment period or opened the Marketplace due to the pandemic, consumers who have lost coverage may qualify for a special enrollment period. See the Special Enrollment Period Reference Guide for more information.