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October 16, 2008 DOL Home > Newsroom > News Releases |
Fact Sheet: Extension of Time Frames to Help Plans and Individuals Affected by Hurricane Katrina October 2005 As a result of Hurricane Katrina, a number of participants and beneficiaries covered by group health plans, disability or other welfare plans, and pension plans may encounter problems in exercising their health coverage portability or continuation coverage rights, or in filing or perfecting their benefit claims. Similarly, employers in affected areas may face difficulties in fulfilling their notice obligations to participants and beneficiaries. Recognizing the numerous challenges already facing affected participants and beneficiaries and plan sponsors, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are taking steps to minimize the possibility of individuals losing benefits because of a failure to comply with certain pre-established time frames. For participants, beneficiaries, and plans in the disaster areas (the counties and parishes in Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama that have been or are later designated as disaster areas eligible for Individual Assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina), the time frames for the following provisions are tolled for the period between August 29, 2005 and February 28, 2006. The effect is to freeze the application of the time periods through February 28, 2006. Extended Time Frames
The complete notice will be published in the October 12, 2005 Federal Register. Other Hurricane Katrina disaster relief can be accessed on the Internet at www.dol.gov and www.irs.gov.
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