What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Connecticut?

For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. Connecticut's 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance uniquely softens this cliff: households between 400% and 500% FPL receive a state subsidy replacing 50% of their lost enhanced federal PTC. This is a one-year program for 2026.

How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Connecticut?

Connecticut uses Access Health CT at accesshealthct.com. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 for most plans. To enroll in the Temporary Premium Assistance program specifically, call Access Health CT at 1-855-805-4325. Outside open enrollment, you can enroll only via a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying life event).

Does Connecticut have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?

Yes — two programs. Covered Connecticut provides free Silver coverage plus full cost-sharing for households at or below 175% FPL. The 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance provides 100% replacement of expired enhanced PTCs for 100–200% FPL households not in Covered CT, and 50% replacement for households at 400–500% FPL — directly softening the federal cliff for one year.

What is the Medicaid threshold in Connecticut?

Connecticut expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for HUSKY Health (Connecticut's Medicaid program). Connecticut also operates HUSKY A (families/children), HUSKY B (CHIP), HUSKY C (elderly/disabled), and HUSKY D (expansion adults). Income above 138% FPL up to 175% FPL may qualify for Covered Connecticut instead.

How is SLCSP calculated for Connecticut?

The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Connecticut are: Age 21: $510/mo, Age 30: $578/mo, Age 40: $651/mo, Age 50: $909/mo, Age 60: $1,382/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific zip code may vary ±20–30%. The cliff distance itself (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.

Can I avoid the 2026 cliff by reducing my MAGI?

Yes — common pre-year-end MAGI reductions include maxing your HSA contribution, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) if self-employed, deferring a Roth conversion, harvesting capital losses, or claiming the self-employed health insurance deduction on Schedule 1. Connecticut's 50% Temporary Premium Assistance for 400–500% FPL also means the dollar impact of crossing 400% FPL is reduced — but the federal PTC cliff itself still applies.

What makes Connecticut's marketplace different from HealthCare.gov?

Access Health CT is a state-based marketplace (SBM) and does not use HealthCare.gov for enrollment. Connecticut controls its own plan certification, consumer protections, and subsidy programs. This independence allows Connecticut to layer state subsidies like Covered Connecticut and Temporary Premium Assistance directly into the enrollment flow — programs not available in FFM states.

Connecticut Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated May 13, 2026

Connecticut Marketplace: Access Health CT

Connecticut uses a state-based marketplace (SBM) called Access Health CT. Connecticut residents enroll at Access Health CT — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Connecticut: HUSKY Health

Connecticut expanded Medicaid under the ACA. HUSKY Health covers adults to 138% FPL.

State Subsidy Backfill

Two programs: (1) Covered Connecticut — state pays full premium and cost-sharing for households at or below 175% FPL on Silver. (2) 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance — 100% replacement of expired enhanced PTC for 100-200% FPL; 50% replacement for 400-500% FPL, uniquely softening the cliff above 400% FPL for one year.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Connecticut)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age	21	30	40	50	60
Monthly SLCSP	$510	$578	$651	$909	$1,382

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Connecticut)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size	1	2	3	4	5
400% FPL cliff	$62,600	$84,600	$106,600	$128,600	$150,600

Key Facts: Connecticut ACA

Connecticut offers two of the most aggressive state-funded health insurance programs in the Northeast for 2026. Covered Connecticut provides completely free Silver-plan coverage plus full cost-sharing for households at or below 175% FPL — no premium, no deductible, no copay. Launched under Governor Lamont in 2022, it was already one of the most generous state programs before the federal enhanced PTCs expired.

For 2026, Connecticut added the Temporary Premium Assistance program specifically to respond to the expiration of federal enhanced PTCs on December 31, 2025. This one-year program provides 100% replacement of expired enhanced PTCs for households at 100–200% FPL not already in Covered Connecticut, and — most distinctively — 50% replacement for households between 400% and 500% FPL, directly softening the ACA subsidy cliff for Connecticut residents. No other state in the Northeast has enacted a direct above-cliff subsidy for 2026. Access Health CT, founded in 2013 as one of the original SBM marketplaces, handles enrollment for all these programs; call 1-855-805-4325 to enroll in the Temporary Premium Assistance.

Calculate your Connecticut ACA cliff

Inputs default to Connecticut; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Household size

State

Filing status

Member ages

selftobacco

Coverage

One or more members have employer-sponsored coverage offered

Income

Wages (W-2)

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC: $2,832; $236 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff: $12,600; until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

Access Health CT — 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance
“Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% FPL will receive a receive financial help to replace 50% of the expired enhanced premium tax credits.”
Access Health CT — Federal Changes to Health Coverage
“The state subsidies are currently in place for one year (2026).”

FAQ — Connecticut ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Connecticut?: For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. Connecticut's 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance uniquely softens this cliff: households between 400% and 500% FPL receive a state subsidy replacing 50% of their lost enhanced federal PTC. This is a one-year program for 2026.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Connecticut?: Connecticut uses Access Health CT at accesshealthct.com. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 for most plans. To enroll in the Temporary Premium Assistance program specifically, call Access Health CT at 1-855-805-4325. Outside open enrollment, you can enroll only via a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying life event).
Does Connecticut have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?: Yes — two programs. Covered Connecticut provides free Silver coverage plus full cost-sharing for households at or below 175% FPL. The 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance provides 100% replacement of expired enhanced PTCs for 100–200% FPL households not in Covered CT, and 50% replacement for households at 400–500% FPL — directly softening the federal cliff for one year.
What is the Medicaid threshold in Connecticut?: Connecticut expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for HUSKY Health (Connecticut's Medicaid program). Connecticut also operates HUSKY A (families/children), HUSKY B (CHIP), HUSKY C (elderly/disabled), and HUSKY D (expansion adults). Income above 138% FPL up to 175% FPL may qualify for Covered Connecticut instead.
How is SLCSP calculated for Connecticut?: The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Connecticut are: Age 21: $510/mo, Age 30: $578/mo, Age 40: $651/mo, Age 50: $909/mo, Age 60: $1,382/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific zip code may vary ±20–30%. The cliff distance itself (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
Can I avoid the 2026 cliff by reducing my MAGI?: Yes — common pre-year-end MAGI reductions include maxing your HSA contribution, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) if self-employed, deferring a Roth conversion, harvesting capital losses, or claiming the self-employed health insurance deduction on Schedule 1. Connecticut's 50% Temporary Premium Assistance for 400–500% FPL also means the dollar impact of crossing 400% FPL is reduced — but the federal PTC cliff itself still applies.
What makes Connecticut's marketplace different from HealthCare.gov?: Access Health CT is a state-based marketplace (SBM) and does not use HealthCare.gov for enrollment. Connecticut controls its own plan certification, consumer protections, and subsidy programs. This independence allows Connecticut to layer state subsidies like Covered Connecticut and Temporary Premium Assistance directly into the enrollment flow — programs not available in FFM states.

Glossary
Premium Tax Credit (PTC)
Glossary
MAGI
Glossary
Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Glossary
Benchmark plan / SLCSP
Glossary
SBM vs FFM
State
Massachusetts — ConnectorCare state
State
New Jersey — NJHPS subsidy state