$500 Refund Eligibility Checker
Two questions + scam-safety facts.
By Scheme Tools Editorial Team · Last updated: 2026-10-10
ACA $500 Refund Check — Eligibility Checker
The Treasury is mailing $500 checks to ~950,000 marketplace enrollees. See if you qualify.
🛡️ Scam warning: The check is automatic — no application, no fees, no phone calls. Anyone asking for money or personal info "to release your check" is a scammer.
Key facts
- First checks mailed September 30, 2026; landing through October.
- Covers the 30 states using the federal exchange.
- Described as a return of surplus marketplace user fees (the administration's characterization; critics dispute it).
- Open enrollment for 2027: Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 (Dec 15 for Jan 1 coverage).