state news

20 Jul New Details: Free Insurance, Housing Protections Ending, State News, & More

Posted at 08:00h in Cancer-Related Legal Issues, COVID-19, Finances, Health Insurance by

Through our blog, Triage Cancer brings you news that might impact the cancer community. Here is the latest information about new laws and programs at both the federal and state levels that may be relevant to you. 

National News

  • Insurance News: 

Free or low-cost health insurance is now available on the Marketplace for people who have received unemployment payments. If you are receiving unemployment or have received payments in 2021, beginning this month, you are likely eligible for these $0 premium plans. Compare Marketplace plans in your state at HealthCare.gov. Note: some states run their own Marketplaces, but you can still start at HealthCare.gov. For help making health insurance decisions, visit TriageCancer.org/HealthInsurance. 

  • Housing News:
    • COVID-19 foreclosure protections ending by August 31: But, most mortgage services will be required to reach out to you and explain your repayment or other options before beginning the foreclosure process. This means that if you work with your mortgage company, they cannot start the foreclosure process before January 1, 2022. If you are worried about foreclosure, don’t wait for your company to call you. For help getting started, visit TriageCancer.org/Financial.
    • Moratorium on evictions extended through July 31: The CDC’s national moratorium on evictions was set to expire on June 30th, but has been extended through July 31st. This means you will not face eviction if you cannot pay rent through the end of this month. 
    • Depending on your state, you might be entitled to even more protection. For example, California recently extended the state’s moratorium on evictions for tenants who have not paid rent through September 30. As part of California’s protections for renters, the state will also cover 100% of past due rents for qualifying low-income tenants. To see laws specific to your state, see Triage Cancer’s state resources here. 
  • Other National News

Payments Begin for the 2021 Child Tax Credit: The IRS began sending advance payments for the increased 2021 Child Tax Credit this month, arriving for some as early as July 15. As a part of the American Rescue plan, the Biden administration increased the child tax credit from $2,000 to as much as $3,600 for children under age 6, and as much as $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17, for individuals earning up to $75,000 and couples earning up to $150,000. These payments will roll out from July through December. 

State News

  • Missouri Governor Mike Parson can refuse voters’ call to expand Medicaid coverage, according to a local judge’s ruling. A ballot measure approved last August required Medicaid Expansion coverage to begin July 1, 2021. The Missouri legislature and governor refused to fund the program. Advocates will appeal the Missouri judge’s decision to the State Supreme Court in July. 
  • Nevada and Colorado join Washington in creating statewide public health insurance options, with plans for Nevada and Colorado residents available in 2026. Both standardized health plans would lower premiums and other costs associated with health insurance for beneficiaries to increase residents’ access to affordable care. While called “public options,” all three states will contract with private insurers to offer these plans on the Marketplace. Washington started offering its “Cascade Care” public option plan for sale last year. Enrollment began November 1, 2020, with coverage effective January 1, 2021. Learn more here. 
  • California seniors and people with disabilities receiving Social Security Income (SSI) or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) should watch the mail for $600 state supplementary payments, which were sent out last month. These payments will not be counted as income. To learn more about the Golden State Grant, click here. 
  • Louisiana increases the state’s unemployment benefits by $28 a week starting next year, but withdraws from the federal program that increased payments by $300 starting July 31. This means that next month, unemployment benefits for qualified Louisiana residents will be $275 a week. To see what is happening with unemployment benefits in your state, visit our Chart of State Laws. 
  • Texans receiving unemployment benefits lost access to the federal program increasing weekly payments by $300 on June 26. Individuals who were self-employed or gig workers also will lose access to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, while the option to refuse work offers due to COVID-19 concerns will also end.  

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