The Trump administration has begun distributing one-time $500 refund checks to nearly one million Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plans. The payments, being issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, are intended for eligible individuals who paid full price for their health insurance through the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov.
According to the administration, approximately 950,000 people across 30 states are expected to receive the payments. The initiative was announced by President Donald Trump in September, with the administration describing the checks as a refund of excess fees collected to operate the federal health insurance marketplace.
The payments are primarily intended for people who purchased ACA health insurance for 2026 through HealthCare.gov and did not receive federal premium tax credits or other premium assistance.
Most eligible recipients have incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level, although some people with lower incomes who paid full premiums may also qualify.
The checks are being distributed in the following 30 states:
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, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Residents of states that operate their own ACA insurance marketplaces are not included in this refund program.
How Will the Payments Be Sent?
The Treasury Department began sending the payments this week by paper check or direct deposit. Eligible individuals do not need to submit an application, complete additional paperwork or meet a separate deadline. The administration says recipients have already been identified.
Households with more than one eligible person may receive multiple $500 payments. The checks are also accompanied by a letter signed by President Trump.
Eligible consumers do not need to apply for the refund. They should ensure their mailing address and banking information are current where applicable, monitor their mail and bank accounts, and be cautious of anyone requesting a fee or sensitive personal information to release a payment.
The $500 ACA refund program provides a one-time payment to a limited group of Americans. Although it may help eligible households manage some of their healthcare expenses, broader questions about insurance affordability, premiums and access to coverage remain central to the U.S. healthcare debate.
