The cost of healthcare is a worry for a lot of people. You may be able to lower how much you have to pay each month for your health insurance with new financial help called 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance (TPA).
This is additional financial help you can use to lower your premium. You can still use any tax credits or financial assistance you may already be receiving from the federal government. This new financial help replaces all or some of the difference between the enhanced federal tax credit amounts (which expired at the end of 2025) and the current federal tax credit amounts for those that qualify.
How do I know if I qualify?
This new financial help is based on your household income. If it’s between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and you are not in the Covered CT program, you will get the same amount you would have if the federal tax credits had not expired.
If your household income is over 400% and up to 500% FPL, you can still get financial assistance, but it will be less. You’ll get half of what you would have received from the expired federal tax credits.
I think I qualify, now what?
In addition to meeting the household income requirements, you need to:
- Enroll or be enrolled in a Bronze, Silver or Gold Plan through Access Health CT.
- Indicate on your application you want to find out if you can get help paying for health coverage.
- Accept all of the federal tax credits (Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs)) available to you.
Can I still enroll?
If you qualify for TPA financial help, you have until June 30, 2026, to enroll in health coverage and receive TPA financial help. After that, you will need to have a Qualifying Life Event to sign up outside Open Enrollment.
Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) are special life changes that allow you to sign up for health or dental insurance outside the annual Open Enrollment Period. It’s for big moments like getting married or divorced, having a baby or losing coverage through your job. When one of these events happens, you get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and can enroll. If you’re eligible for HUSKY Health or the Covered CT Program, you can enroll anytime during the year.
If you want to enroll in health insurance or change your health insurance plan, call us at 1-855-805-4235. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may call with a relay operator or use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428. IMPORTANT: You must call our call center to enroll through the Temporary Premium Assistance Special Enrollment Period.
Our Enrollment Specialists will verify that you are eligible for this financial help and help you enroll. They will be able to tell you the amount of financial help that will be applied to your premium bill. Your coverage will begin the first day of the next month after you enroll.
Still have questions?
Access Health CT is here to help! All help is always free.
- Visit our Get Help page: AccessHealthCT.com/get-help
- Chat with Us: Click the “Live Chat” icon on any page at AccessHealthCT.com
- Call us at 1-855-805-4325, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us at 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator. We speak more than 100 languages.
- Find a Certified Broker near you who can recommend health and dental coverage that is right for your needs and budget.