Health Insurance Help for Georgia’s Unemployed

Government subsidized health insurance has become quite the polarizing issue.  But even as debate rages on about mandates and public options, the U.S. Department of Labor has side stepped the whole process, at least for some of Georgia’s unemployed.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $280,000 National Emergency Grant to provide 263 jobless workers in Georgia with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.  An initial award of $297,000 was approved on March 4, 2010, to serve about 280 workers.

“Helping these individuals maintain insurance coverage as they seek re-employment is one way we can ensure Georgia’s working families get the support they need and deserve,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Searching for a new job can be challenging enough without the added concern of how to pay for health insurance, especially if the job seeker or a family member falls ill or needs medical attention.”

The grant will help unemployed workers during this tricky time.

The funds announced today will be used to make “gap filler” payments for up to three months, the amount of time it takes to complete Internal Revenue Service enrollment, processing and first payments under the Health Coverage Tax Credit.