ACA Refund Checks 2026: 30 States Eligible for Trump’s $500 Payment

The Trump administration says nearly 1 million Americans will receive $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks in 2026. Payments reportedly began mailing on September 30, with more checks expected throughout October.

The refunds are described as a return of excess fees collected from insurers that participate in the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace.
 

Who is eligible for the $500 ACA refund?

The payment is not available to everyone with ACA health insurance. According to the White House, eligible consumers generally must:

• Have purchased an ACA plan through the federally operated marketplace.

• Have paid the full premium without receiving premium assistance.

• Live in one of the 30 participating states.

The states included are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

People who received premium tax credits or bought coverage through a state-run exchange may not qualify. The federal government operates HealthCare.gov for most states, while some states run their own marketplaces.
 

When will the checks arrive?

The first checks reportedly began going out on September 30. Additional payments are expected during October 2026.

There is no public individual payment schedule, so delivery times may vary. Eligible consumers should watch their mail for:

• A U.S. Treasury check.

• An official letter explaining the payment.

• Information identifying the payment as an ACA refund.
   

Do you need to apply?

No separate application has been announced. The payments are described as automatic refunds for consumers identified as eligible.

Consumers should not pay a fee to receive the check. Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails or text messages requesting a Social Security number, bank information or other personal details.

Use HealthCare.gov or the agency named in an official notice to verify information.
 

Where did the money come from?

The administration says the refunds are funded by surplus user fees charged to insurers participating in the federal marketplace.

For the 2026 benefit year, CMS set the federal exchange user fee at 2.5% of monthly premiums.

The administration says nearly 1 million people will receive $500 each, for a total of about $500 million.
 

Why ACA premiums may be higher

The refunds arrive as some Marketplace consumers face higher insurance costs. The enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025.

Consumers who no longer qualify for the expanded assistance may pay more for monthly coverage. As a result, the one-time $500 payment may not offset higher premiums for every household.

For information about Marketplace savings and coverage, visit the official HealthCare.gov financial assistance page.
 

What eligible consumers should do

If you believe you qualify:

1. Confirm that your plan was purchased through HealthCare.gov.

2. Check whether you lived in one of the 30 participating states.

3. Monitor your mail for an official Treasury check.

4. Do not pay anyone to claim the refund.

5. Verify questionable messages through official government websites.
    

Bottom line

The Trump administration says eligible ACA consumers in 30 states will receive automatic $500 refund checks. Payments reportedly began September 30 and are expected to continue during October 2026.

Eligibility is limited to certain people who bought coverage through the federal marketplace and paid their premiums without financial assistance. No separate application has been announced.

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