The initial 18 months of COBRA coverage may be extended to 29 months if you or covered dependent is determined by the Social Security Administration to be disabled at any time during the first 60 days of the COBRA coverage period. This 11-month extension is available to all family members who have elected COBRA coverage due to the termination of employment or reduction in hours, even to those who aren't disabled, and any dependent child who was born or adopted during the initial period of coverage.

To benefit from the extension, the qualified beneficiary must provide the COBRA administrator with the disability determination within 60 days of the Social Security Administration's determination of disability and before the end of the original 18-month period.

If, during COBRA coverage, the Social Security Administration determines that the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled, the individual must notify the COBRA administrator within 30 days of the date it is made.

If a qualified beneficiary is receiving COBRA coverage under a disability extension and has another qualifying event during the 29-month continuation period, then the COBRA coverage period extends until 36 months after the date coverage was originally lost. The qualified beneficiary must provide the appropriate notice to the COBRA administrator as described under "Contacting the COBRA Administrator."