When leaving employment on disability, does Cobra extend to 36 months

[Guest Darcy Davis]

When leaving employment on disability,does Cobra extend to 36 months instead of 18?

[KIP KRAUS]

My understanding is not unless you are totally disabled as determined by the Social Security Department.

[Guest alpenelope]

If you are determined by the Social Security Administration to be disabled at the time of or within 60 days of termination or reduction in hours resulting in loss of group coverage, and if you are willing to pay a higher premium, you can extend your original 18 months of coverage up to a total of 29 months if you notify [plan administrator] both within 60 days of that determination and before the end of the first 18 months of coverage. Likewise, if your dependent children are determined by the Social Security Administration to be disabled, they can extend their coverage up to a total of 29 months if they notify [plan administrator] both within 60 days of that determination and before the end of the first 18 months of coverage. The premiums charged for the coverage will be increased nearly 50 percent during the period of disability.

I hope this helps.