Local consumer health advocates say laid-off workers may be unaware of a deadline to arrange for a 65 percent reduction in their COBRA health insurance premiums because former employers are not always notifying them that they're eligible.

Employers have until April 18 to notify former employees of their new COBRA rights under the federal stimulus package. Eligible employees have 60 days from the date of notification to select the subsidized COBRA.

Paul Lodico, co-director of the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee, said the organization had fielded more 70 calls from laid-off workers who say they've not yet received notification about getting the reduced premiums. "This is a much bigger response than we normally receive."

Missing the deadline won't necessarily prevent someone from getting the reduction -- the U.S. Department of Labor has set up an appeals process that requires a resolution within 15 days -- but the fear is that the benefit will be delayed or that missing the deadline might jeopardize eligibility.

Katherine Young, also with the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee, said some families already were stretched thin trying to cover monthly insurance premiums. By making sure their paperwork is in order, she said, "They can get the financial relief that they desperately need."

The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a 65 percent subsidy on COBRA continuation premiums for up to nine months for workers laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009.

The program is estimated to save an average of $325 per month for individuals and $715 per month for families on the health insurance payments.

More information about the COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance program is available at www.dol.gov/cobra on the Department of Labor's Web site.