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Release Date: April 3, 2009
Release Number: 09-347-KAN
Contact Name: Jeremy Eggers
Phone Number: 303.844.1299

U.S. Department of Labor hosts 10 workshops in Kansas City, Missouri, focusing on new COBRA provisions

Kansas City, Missouri — The U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will sponsor workshops April 6 through 10 in Kansas City on subsidy for continuation health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). These health benefits are particularly important for unemployed workers.

The COBRA workshops, which are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. CDT and 2 p.m. CDT each day at the Labor Department’s EBSA office, 2300 Main St., Suite 1045 conference room.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a 65 percent tax subsidy for the cost of health benefits, making them more affordable for the unemployed and their families. Millions of individuals, including those who previously declined employer-provided coverage under COBRA, will be eligible to receive a subsidy on their premiums for up to nine months.

Ten 90-minute workshops will address subjects such as who is eligible for the COBRA premium reduction, how the premium reduction works, how long a qualified beneficiary can use the premium reduction, what notices employers are required to make under the new COBRA provisions and what penalties apply for failure to comply with the law.

Benefit advisors will be available at the workshops following each session to address specific questions. Pre-registration is required by calling 816.285.1840 or filling out the form available online at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/COBRAARRAMO.pdf, printing it and faxing it to 816.285.1889.

For more information about the workshops, call 816.285.1813. Parking is available onsite at a reduced rate. Additional information is available at www.dol.gov/COBRA.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7828 or TTY 202.693.7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.