Low income SEP and living in Georgia – What happens at the end of the year if I don’t make enough money to reach the poverty level threshold?

Right now I don’t have a job but I’m actively looking for one in my field. If I get a job my income for the remainder of the year should probably be around 16k to 20k. This would qualify me for a premium tax credit and a special enrollment period for being low income (I currently don’t have insurance).

The tricky part is that I live in Georgia and since our state didn’t expand Medicaid, the low income SEP isnt available if you make less than 100% of the poverty level ($14,580). So if I end up not finding a job or not getting a job that pays me at least the poverty level then I wouldn’t be eligible.

Since I don’t know how much I’m going to make, I was going to put a rough estimate down on my application. But at the end of the year, what happens if I end up not meeting the poverty level threshold? I’m assuming I’d have to pay back the premiums which I’m fine with, but is that it?

Also this would be my first “real” job after working retail/fast food so I don’t have any tax forms that indicate what I should expect my salary to be in this new field. Is that something they check before I’m allowed to enroll in a plan or does it only come up during tax season?

submitted by /u/Apart_System9893
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