Need help clarifying how taking voluntary separation package affects health insurance options
I am planning to take a voluntary separation package through my work which will pay me a lump sum of 4 months salary (about 38k pre tax) and I will separate from the company at the end of September. The lump sum will be paid to me sometime in October.
My plan is to take the rest of the year off and spend some time traveling, but I of course will lose my healthcare. I know that COBRA is an option, but it’s very expensive so just looking at what other options I have that might be more affordable. I just don’t know what this all means exactly for my income. Obviously once I get that lump sum payment my total income for the year will be very high, but then I will have no income starting in November. Can I qualify for low cost health care come November when I don’t have an income or is my entire income for the year taken into account? I’ve never had to get healthcare outside my job so I don’t really know how this all works.
I understand that I’m very privileged to be able to voluntarily take some time off of work, so if COBRA is my best option I’m ok with that. But if I’m unable to find work in the next ~6 months I will be in a tough spot financially so I would like to cut costs where possible.
