ACA Marketplace

ACA Special Enrollment Period 2026 — Qualifying Events

Lost your job? Getting married? Moving to a new state? These — and other qualifying life events — trigger a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that lets you enroll in ACA coverage outside of the standard open enrollment window.
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Common Qualifying Life Events

How Long Is the SEP Window?

Most SEPs give you 60 days from the qualifying event to enroll in or change Marketplace coverage. For some events (like a new baby), coverage can be retroactive to the date of the event.

Documentation Required

You’ll typically need to provide proof of your qualifying event, such as:

Premium Tax Credits During SEP Enrollment

All subsidy rules apply during Special Enrollment Periods — you don’t have to wait for Open Enrollment to access your premium tax credit.

See also: Enrollment DatesHow to Apply