Update on COBRA Subsidy for Entertainment Professionals in New York

Apri 25, 2022

Dear WGAE member –

I am pleased to report that the New York State COBRA subsidy for entertainment industry employees has been significantly improved as part of the recently-approved state budget.

The state will now pay 75% of the COBRA premium, for up to 12 months of subsidy over a five year period.

You still have to have a low enough income to qualify, but that has also been improved; if you earned less than four times the federal poverty level in a one-month lookback period you can lock in the COBRA subsidy (and since most people are not working when they lose their health benefits, many will qualify).

Learn about the Continuation Assistance Demonstration Program for Entertainment Industry Employees here.

Staff at the PWGA health fund know about these improvements, but if you lose Guild health coverage and have to go on COBRA, make sure to remind them of the New York COBRA subsidy.

We worked closely with the Actors Fund, our Albany lobbyists, and other entertainment industry unions to make this happen; many thanks to all.

In Solidarity,
Lowell Peterson
Executive Director
Writers Guild of America, East