I received a letter about COBRA benefits from an insurance company that my employer deals with. It states in the very first line:

“On 3/22/2009, you experienced an event of a/an Termination which constitutes a qualifying event under the [name of company I worked for] group health plan(s).”

It goes on to say that I can elect COBRA coverage.

I don’t like the term “Termination.” I worked for an employment agency that placed me on an assignment at a company. I worked there for 1 1/2 years and received a positive performance review by my agency after 1 year. My assignment ended because of lack of work with my last day being 2/23/2009, not 3/22/2009.

I contacted my agency every week for work but told there was none. I filed for unemployment and was granted it by Ohio Dept of Job and Family Services due to lack of work.

My agency filed an appeal which was originally denied by ODJFS then redirected to an appeals commission. I just received notice from ODJFS that my agency has dropped the appeal.

My concern is that if I elect COBRA then I am admitting I was terminated on 3/22/2009 and thus will lose my unemployment benefits from that date forward. I continue to call in for work and the people there say they put me down that I called in for work. I tried to arrange for a short-term landscaping project with someone who called my agency’s office to verify my employment. My agency never returned the call. Thus, I did not get the job.

I have not received any word or documentation that I was fired for gross misconduct. I did not quit.

I would think I would receive COBRA for “reduced hours.” Of course, it is zero. Does “laid off” come under a “termination event?”

I need to decided whether or not to file for COBRA by Wednesday, June 10, 2009. I know this is short notice but any assistance with this is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Richard Meek