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Federal Hurricane Relief: Extension of Timeframes for Employee Benefits in NC, VA, and SC

In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Helene, the federal government has announced relief measures to support affected individuals and organizations in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. This relief includes the extension of certain timeframes for employee benefits, ensuring that those impacted by these natural disasters have the necessary time to manage their benefits without additional stress.

Understanding the Relief Measures

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of the Treasury, has extended specific deadlines under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code. This extension applies to group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, and their participants, beneficiaries, and claimants. Learn more about the relief measures.

Key Extensions and Their Impact

  1. COBRA Continuation Coverage: Affected individuals now have additional time to elect COBRA continuation coverage, which allows them to maintain their health insurance after losing their job or experiencing a reduction in work hours. Find out more about COBRA coverage.
  2. Special Enrollment Periods: The relief extends the timeframe for special enrollment periods, enabling individuals to enroll in health plans outside the usual enrollment periods due to life events such as marriage, birth, or adoption. Discover more about special enrollment periods.
  3. Claims and Appeals: Participants and beneficiaries have more time to file claims for benefits, appeal denied claims, and request external reviews of certain claims. Learn more about claims and appeals.
  4. Plan Notifications: Employers and plan administrators also benefit from extended deadlines to provide required notifications and disclosures to participants and beneficiaries. Read more about plan notifications.

Finding Out If You Are in a Disaster Area

To determine if you are in a disaster area, you can use resources provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA’s website allows you to search your location to find active and past disaster declarations, as well as helpful resources specific to your area. Check if you are in a disaster area.

Relief Period and Coverage

The relief period begins on the first day of the incident period for each affected area and ends on May 1, 2025. For North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, the incident period for Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Helene began on September 25, 2024. Get details on the relief period and coverage.

How to Access Relief

Individuals and organizations in the affected areas should contact their plan administrators or the EBSA for guidance on how to take advantage of these extensions. The EBSA has also provided a comprehensive FAQ document to help participants and beneficiaries understand their rights and the relief available to them. Access the FAQ document.

Partnering with Pierce Group Benefits

The extension of timeframes for employee benefits is a vital step in ensuring that those affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Helene can focus on recovery without worrying about missing critical deadlines. For more information, contact your dedicated Pierce Group Benefits Account Executive or reach out to a PGB Representative at partnership@piercegroupbenefits.com.