What the Obama Stimulus Plan Means for Employers: COBRA, Benefits, and More

Known as the "Stimulus Bill," the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The $787 billion stimulus package will have a far-reaching affect on the country’s economy -- and for every American employer.

So what the biggest issues facing HR in the ARRA?

As part of the package, the federal government is providing a nine-month subsidy covering 65% of the COBRA premium for "Assistance Eligible Individuals" (workers involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009). The stimulus package also includes extended unemployment benefits and provisions addressing tax credits and relief, health information privacy, visas, executive compensation, and whistleblowers.

Learn your new obligations under the stimulus package with the free HR Hero White Paper, What the Obama Stimulus Plan Means for Employers: COBRA, Benefits, and More. In plain English, this in-depth report will walk you through the ARRA's key provisions, including:

1. COBRA
    A.What Is Included?
    B. Who Is Eligible?
    C. What Are the Relevant Deadlines?
    D. How Will It Work?
    E. Help Is Available


2. Unemployment Compensation
    A. More People Eligible
    B. More Money
    C. More Time
    D. More Training


3. Other Employment-Related Provisions of the ARRA
    A. Work Opportunity Tax Credit
    B. H1-B Visas
    C. Executive Compensation
    D. Trade Adjustment Assistance
    E. Whistleblower Protections
    F. HIPPA Expansion


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