The monthly HCTC helps you pay for health insurance as you go, when you need it, not just at the end of the year.

How the Monthly HCTC Works
You apply for the monthly HCTC by filling out the HCTC Registration Form, which is mailed with the HCTC Program Kit. Once you submit your Registration Form, the HCTC Program reviews it to determine if you are eligible. If you are eligible and your health plan administrator agrees to participate, you will be registered in the monthly HCTC Program.

Once registered, you'll receive a monthly invoice from the HCTC Program for your health insurance premium. You'll pay 20%, we'll add 80%, and then we'll send the full 100% of the premium to your health plan for you.

If you are a family member of a PBGC payee or TAA recipient, and you're interested in registering for the monthly HCTC Program due to an event such as Medicare enrollment, death, or divorce, please contact the HCTC Customer Contact Center at 1-866-628-HCTC (4282). If you have a hearing impairment, please call 1-866-626-4282 (TTY).

Registering for the Monthly HCTC
To register for the monthly HCTC, you need to:

1. Receive the HCTC Program Kit and Registration Form in the mail. The HCTC Registration Form is not available online; you can only get a copy in the mail once the PBGC or your state alerts the HCTC Program of your initial eligibility. If you are a family member of a PBGC, TAA, or ATAA/RTAA recipient and qualify for the HCTC due to that PBGC payee or TAA recipient's enrollment in Medicare, or as a result of a divorce or death, please contact the HCTC Customer Contact Center at 1-866-628-HCTC (4282).
2. Make sure you meet all the HCTC eligibility requirements.
3. Fill out the HCTC Registration Form completely; an incomplete form or missing documents will delay the start of your monthly HCTC.
4. Collect the supporting documents requested in the HCTC Registration Form.
5. Make a copy of your completed HCTC Registration Form and supporting documents for your records.
6. Use the postage-paid envelope included with the HCTC Program Kit to mail the Registration Form and supporting documents.
7. Continue to pay your health insurance bills in full directly to your health plan until you receive your first HCTC invoice. Keep records of payments you make because you can claim an 80% credit for these payments on your tax return.

Reimbursement for Monthly Premiums Paid During Enrollment in the Monthly HCTC Program
Monthly participants can request to receive reimbursement for payments made directly to a qualified health plan while eligible and enrolling in the monthly HCTC Program. For information on how to request reimbursement, click here.

What Happens After Registering
After the HCTC Program processes your Registration Form, you will receive:

• A confirmation letter.
• Your first monthly invoice.
• An HCTC Registration Update Form.
• An IRS Form 1099-H, once a year by January 31st, showing the months and amount of the monthly HCTC you received for the prior year; this form is informational and for your records only.

Who Cannot Register for the Monthly HCTC Program
The monthly HCTC is not available to you if:

• You have health coverage through your spouse’s employer that is not COBRA
• Your primary mailing address is outside the United States or its territories.

If you fall into one of these two categories, you can only claim the yearly HCTC on your federal tax return.

Temporary State-Level Assistance While You are Registering for the HCTC
You may be able to apply for temporary state-level assistance for the HCTC, also called National Emergency Grant (NEG) Bridge Grant or Gap-filler funds. NEG funds are intended to help individuals pay their qualified health plan premiums while they are registering for, but have not yet received, the monthly HCTC. This time period, or “gap,” ends when individuals receive their first invoice from the HCTC Program.

Refer to the NEG Contact List, or call the U.S. Department of Labor toll-free at 1-877-US-2JOBS to learn more about NEG Bridge Grants and to find out if they are available in your state.

How Long Can You Receive the Monthly HCTC?
You can receive the monthly HCTC for as long as you:

• Send your 20% payment each month by the HCTC due date.
• Continue to meet all the eligibility requirements, including maintaining your eligibility for PBGC, TAA, RTAA, or ATAA benefits.

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allows family members of HCTC qualified individuals to receive up to 24 months of eligibility after the occurrence of a qualifying event until December 31, 2010 unless the ARRA is re-authorized by Congress.

Return to the HCTC Eligibility Requirements and How to Receive the HCTC page.
Find out information about the yearly HCTC.
Return to the HCTC Program home page.
Go to the HCTC Quick References page to view a glossary of terms, FAQs and additional resources.