If a qualified beneficiary becomes disabled during the first 60 days of COBRA coverage, the coverage can be extended for up to __ months?

• A. 18
• B. 24
• C. 29
• D. 36

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that COBRA continuation is typically 18 months after a qualifying event, but there’s a disability-based extension. If a qualified beneficiary is determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration within the first 60 days of COBRA coverage, the continuation period can be extended by up to 11 additional months, for a total of 29 months. This extra 11 months recognizes the need for continued coverage during a disability, provided the SSA disability determination happens within that initial 60-day window and the plan is properly notified. So, for someone disabled within that early window, COBRA can run up to 29 months from the original qualifying event rather than stopping at 18 months.