u/CT22Bloom

When I signed up during open enrollment for ObamaCare in 2025 for 2026, I had a part time job that didn’t offer me health insurance because I wasn’t considered full time. I’ve been on Obamacare for years. So, I gave Obamacare my best guess for this year. I would have been very close. I told them $17,000 for the year. Well, after a short time (3 months this year) I lost my job. Only made $5,500.

I have not reported this to them because I don’t want to lose my subsidies. Without the subsidies, there is no way I can pay for health insurance.

I’m “too rich” for Medicaid and not old enough for Medicare. I will be 62 in 4 months and I plan on signing up for social security widow’s benefits. I could have signed up 2 years ago because I‘m a widow, but I decided to wait a bit.

My questions are: Am I going to have to pay back $12,000?? Also when I sign up during open enrollment will they even let me if I have no income and haven’t started collecting social security benefits yet?

So confusing, and so upsetting. I have a small IRA, but I don’t want to drain it to make up the difference between my projected income and what I actually made! 😢

First let me start out by saying this is not an advertisement and I am not the author of this book. I lost my husband 3 years ago and I read a book called Life Reconstructed by Teresa Amaral Beshwate. She lost her husband so she understands what it feels like to lose a spouse. It helped me a lot. It’s a self help type of book. It reminds you that the “right” way to grieve is your way. She also speaks about comments you receive from people who have not lost a spouse but they think they are being helpful, guilt (if any) over the past, many different emotions you have such an identity crisis, mental exhaustion, etc.

I have only read it once, and because I found it to be such a helpful book, I am in the middle of reading it for a second time. I just thought I’d tell you about it and suggest you read it if you are so inclined. We are all in this together, so if anyone else has suggestions for books or otherwise, please let us all know. Again, the “right” way to grieve is YOUR way. 💗