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Charlotte Observer: NC budget targets legal fund that could strip low-income residents of attorney help

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Note: This article by Nick Sullivan ran in the Charlotte Observer on 07.02.26:

Tens of thousands of low-income North Carolinians could lose access to legal services under a provision in the state budget bill released on Tuesday, attorneys and aid providers warn.

Republican lawmakers took aim at a charitable state fund they’ve accused of financing legal aid groups with political agendas. The N.C. State Bar and The N.C. Supreme Court created the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts, or NC IOLTA, more than 40 years ago to cover civil legal expenses for people who otherwise couldn’t afford them. The State Bar administers the program.

This is the first time the legislature has tried to regulate the IOLTA process. The proposed budget would dramatically restrict eligibility in the near term and redirect the money to other uses in the long term.

The IOLTA does not use tax money. All attorneys are required by the State Bar to place client funds into a pooled bank account if the funds are too small or held too briefly to earn net interest. The collective interest is routed to the IOLTA, and a board disburses money as grants to eligible legal aid groups that apply.

The money supports cases such as consumer protections, domestic violence and wrongful evictions.

“You’re talking about women and children and even men who have been abused, and we’re seeking protective orders for them. Or people who need basic safety and shelter. Or people who are homeless. Or veterans who have served our country and are entitled to services,” said Larissa Mañon, CEO of the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. “These are the cases that we’re working on. So we’re talking about people’s super basic needs.”

The budget earmarks most grant money for a new purpose and caps how much NC IOLTA can dole out each year based on when the funds were collected.

Fifteen million dollars from newly collected money would go toward an office that provides representation for indigent criminal cases. The state is already required to fund this office through taxes.

Another $2 million would go toward other programs “designed to improve the administration of justice,” a broad category that could include civil legal aid groups, although the legislature’s proposal does not explicitly state those groups are eligible.

Notably, the annual $2 million must come from unexpended money the program collected prior to July 2025. That means civil legal aid groups would rely on a finite source of pre-existing, non-replenishing funds that will eventually run out.

And even that money has new strings attached.

Mañon’s Charlotte-based organization is one of the state’s largest IOLTA recipients and works with clients including human trafficking survivors and unaccompanied children.

That work would disqualify the center from future grants under a new budget provision excluding groups helping with “matters governed by federal immigration law.”

“That would categorically take out all civil legal aid service providers in the state. I want people to really understand what that means,” Mañon said. “I never thought I’d see a day in my life where somebody publicly and in ink say, ‘I don’t want to support survivors of human trafficking.’ … For some people, immigration is just immigration.”

Organizations are also ineligible if they engage in advocacy work or encourage the public to contact elected officials in support or opposition to proposed legislation. And groups that assist in matters related to “gender transition procedures, or the provision of puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to a minor” are also excluded.

Every state has an IOLTA program, but North Carolina would become the only one in the nation using the program to pay for constitutionally mandated criminal defense attorneys rather than civil legal aid, according to the State Bar.

Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall’s offices did not respond to The Charlotte Observer’s requests for comment.

Why is the General Assembly trying to change IOLTA?

IOLTA already took a hit last summer when lawmakers froze the fund for a full year, until the end of June 2026. Agencies shrank as a result.

NC IOLTA data shows grantees had an average of 22% fewer cases closed and 11% fewer people served during the first quarter of this year compared to 2025, said Mary Irvine, who leads the NC IOLTA.

“There were layoffs that took place starting as early as the fall of last year, which really have changed the ability of the programs to provide services,” Irvine said. “You can’t serve the same number of people when you have a smaller staff.”

During an October hearing with the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Harry Warren of Salisbury — who co-chairs the committee — accused NC IOLTA of supporting “leftist” groups that lobby for partisan issues.

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights was among the recipients Warren expressed concern about, The News & Observer previously reported. The organization has received $55,000 in IOLTA funds to provide legal services in North Carolina. At the hearing, Warren flashed a slide on the screen with a quote from the Washington D.C.-based group.

“The United States’ wealth and power is built upon stolen land from enslaved labor and under the racist lie that white people were superior to Black people, indigenous people, and people of color,” the quote said.

Warren said the freeze would allow time to investigate how IOLTA grants are awarded.

The state completed an audit in April that found the program fully complied with requirements and hadn’t improperly disbursed money, though it needed to do more to monitor how funds were spent after disbursement.

Sen. Woodson Bradley, a Mecklenburg County Democrat lobbying against the changes, told the Observer she doesn’t understand why her colleagues are still targeting the program.

“What is the problem? A problem was looked for and wasn’t found by the auditor, so now what is the intention here?” Bradley said. “This is not symbolic or abstract. We’re talking about whether or not Mecklenburg residents will remain housed, stay safe, have benefits, keep families intact, navigate the legal system.”

More than one in three Mecklenburg County households are facing financial hardship and struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new report from research group United for ALICE. And 71% of low-income people in Mecklenburg County experienced a significant civil legal problem last year, according to The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. Those are the people who legal aid groups are trying to reach.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article316315140.html#storylink=cpy

Starting to Truly Live Again After Tragedy

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When Mayda speaks about her life today, she begins with gratitude. “We’re doing well, and I’m grateful to be alive.”

A mother of three children—ages 19, 12, and 4—Mayda works long hours at an aluminum factory, doing everything she can to provide her family with safety and stability.

But her life has been shaped by extraordinary hardship—and resilience.

Five years ago, Mayda’s life in Guatemala looked very different. After repeated attempts to force her partner into gang activity, members of that gang turned to brutal violence. While driving together with their two young sons, gunfire erupted. Tragically the attack took her husband’s life, and Mayda was shot seven times, including once in the stomach. At the time, Mayda was pregnant. Against all odds, Mayda and her children survived.

Carrying lasting physical injuries and deep emotional trauma, Mayda fled to the United States in search of safety. When she arrived, everything was uncertain. She had no financial resources, no family, and no clear path forward. Back home, she had been a dedicated public school teacher. In the U.S., she took on whatever work she could find to support her children, even while coping with depression and anxiety rooted in her trauma.

A referral eventually connected her to Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy—and that moment changed everything. Through our Immigrant Justice Program, Mayda found not only legal representation, but a team that stood beside her through one of the most difficult processes of her life. Applying for asylum required her to revisit painful memories—but this time, she did not face them alone.

“With Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy’s support, I felt protected,” she shared. “I knew I had people who would stand by me.”

That support has led to meaningful progress for her family.

We successfully helped Mayda obtain full legal custody of her two sons, a critical step in both their daily stability and their long-term immigration cases. Her eldest son has already been approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and her younger son has a pending application that is expected to be approved soon.

Mayda’s own asylum case, however, remains in limbo as she awaits to be scheduled for an interview. Even so, legal representation has given her something she had not felt in a long time: hope.

Today, her children are on a path toward stability and security. Each milestone brings renewed confidence that their future can be safe. Slowly, the fear and uncertainty that once defined her life have been replaced with a sense of possibility.

“When we found you,” Mayda says, “that’s when we truly started living again.”

She now dreams of returning to the profession she loves—teaching—and continuing to build a stable future for her family. Because of legal advocacy, Mayda did more than survive. She began to hope again.

Students Experiencing Foster Care Deserve Stability. Charlotte Should Protect It.

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Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy’s Education Law Program: Caitlin Whalan Jones, Daniel Brown, Stephanie R. Klitsch

We believe that students experiencing foster care deserve access to the same quality education as their peers. This is an uncontroversial opinion; one you probably agree with and is even supported by federal law. Unfortunately, students experiencing foster care are far more likely to face school disruption, enrollment delays, and lost academic progress because the systems designed to support them are complex and fragmented. Moreover, many school districts across the state struggle to comply with basic federal requirements for students experiencing foster care.

Charlotte chose a different path. Many years ago, Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) created a unique and powerful model of collaboration, embodied through four CMS-DSS Educational Liaisons. So, it was a shock to learn of the proposal to eliminate these positions after June 2026, which would unravel years of progress.

The Liaisons are a small but vital team that works to ensure students experiencing foster care have access to the education they deserve and are entitled to under the law. The Liaisons actively bridge the vast gap between CMS and DSS, doing the daily work needed to keep students from falling in. Unless you know a student experiencing foster care, or were one yourself, you might have never heard of the Liaisons. But, for folks with that lived experience, the importance of the Liaisons cannot be overstated, and their loss would be deeply felt.

The educational journey for students experiencing foster care is often littered with obstacles. Frequent school changes, delays in arranging transportation, and incomplete records are just a few of the more common ones. Consequently, and through no fault of their own, these students are more likely to perform below grade-level, be retained, or drop out of school altogether. In 2025, across North Carolina, only 60% of students experiencing foster care graduated from high school within four years. Within CMS, however, the four-year graduation rate lagged at just 46%. The work of the Liaisons is to try and clear those obstacles and, hopefully, help students meaningfully access their education.

Federal law makes clear that ensuring educational stability for students experiencing foster care is not the responsibility of school districts alone, nor of child welfare agencies acting in isolation, but a shared obligation that requires close and continuous partnership. These obligations cannot be met through informal coordination. They require dedicated roles with the time, expertise, and authority to bridge systems. In Mecklenburg County, the Liaisons have fulfilled this role.

For many years, CMS and the County shared the cost of this joint work, with each entity contributing funding in recognition of their shared legal obligations and mutual interest in educational stability for students experiencing foster care. The Liaisons themselves, however, remained CMS employees throughout that time.

Understanding this history matters, because it underscores an essential point: CMS and DSS deliberately built this model as a joint solution to a joint responsibility. Their work is embedded within CMS operations, supporting more than 100 schools while coordinating with DSS, courts, health providers, and community partners.

The question before our community is not whether CMS and DSS will continue serving students in foster care. The law requires that they do. The question is whether Charlotte will continue doing so in a way that is coordinated, proven, and centered on student stability, or whether it will disperse specialized work without a clear plan and with hope the pieces reassemble themselves.

For almost three decades, CMS‑DSS Educational Liaisons have provided continuity, expertise, and accountability for students whose lives are already marked by change. Charlotte has been doing this right. We should take care not to lose ground on one of the most effective partnerships our community has built, especially when students experiencing foster care cannot afford the cost of disruption.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is a nonprofit law firm that provides civil legal services to low-income individuals and families across the Charlotte region and North Carolina. The Education Law Program (ELP) advocates on behalf of students, including students experiencing foster care, who are facing a range of obstacles to the realization of their fundamental education rights. ELP co-leads the Mecklenburg County Foster Care and Education Work Group which includes judicial, education, and child welfare stakeholders and aims to improve educational outcomes for students experiencing foster care.

We Did It! Our Building is Paid Off!

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Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy has officially paid off our building through the success of our Building Justice Capital Campaign. Even more, our supporters have helped to establish a $1 million Building Justice Endowment—strengthening our ability to serve our community for years to come.

This milestone has been years in the making. Back when our team worked in very tight quarters on Elizabeth Avenue, we began imagining something different: a dignified space where attorneys, paralegals, and clients could come together—reflecting the importance of the work happening inside.

But this campaign was always about more than a building. It marked our evolution—moving beyond being seen only as a charity supported primarily by the legal community and fully claiming our role as a critical community social justice organization for Charlotte. Along the way, we conducted feasibility studies, deepened community engagement, refreshed our brand, and expanded our fundraising capacity—so we could meet this moment with strength.

This campaign was completed with support from more than 200 donors—including 14 six‑figure donors and 41 five‑figure donors. That breadth and depth of generosity doesn’t just fund a building; it signals shared ownership of the mission that happens inside these walls.

From all of us at Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy: we are so grateful to everyone who invested in a permanent home for justice—and for helping ensure justice will continue to live here for a very long time.

Special thanks to Building Justice Capital Campaign co-chairs Porter Durham, Alan Kronovet and Todd Stillerman, along with lead members Kenneth Schorr and Brittney Coleman. Their support built more than just a building. We consider them the architects of a more just Charlotte.

We were thrilled to celebrate all of our capital campaign supporters last week, while also unveiling the new Kenneth Schorr Suite.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Taking Over Custody Advocacy Program

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Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (Advocacy Center) is taking over the Custody Advocacy Program (CAP) for Mecklenburg County. CAP supports children involved in high-conflict custody cases in family court, especially where there may be serious allegations such as child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, substance abuse, mistreatment or parental kidnapping. 

For decades, children stuck between these battles had a voice when Custody Advocate/Guardian Ad Litems were appointed through the Council for Children’s Rights (CFCR), but CFCR closed their doors last year. Without a home for CAP, Mecklenburg County District Judge J. Rex Marvel temporarily maintained a shell of the former program until a permanent home could be found. Thanks to a generous donation from the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, the program will now be managed by the Advocacy Center to ensure that children in need will have a voice. 

The Advocacy Center will hire a staff attorney/coordinator to manage the volunteers and match/assign advocates and volunteers to cases. The need for coordinated volunteer support has become increasingly urgent, particularly as more parents navigate custody disputes without representation. 

“Far too often children in our community are stuck between high-conflict custody cases. Allegations of child abuse, parental kidnapping, substance abuse, and mistreatment emphasize the importance of accurate and reliable advocacy during custody proceedings,” said Judge J. Rex Marvel. “The Advocacy Center has decades of experience ensuring access to justice for our community. Their mission of justice and the stability of their nonprofit will ensure that children stuck in high-conflict custody proceedings will have a voice in court. This is an invaluable service to the children of our community, and one which will help countless children in need.” 

Larissa Mañón, CEO of the Advocacy Center, shared “At its core, our organization exists to pursue justice for those in need. Housing the Custody Advocacy Program within our organization is both a strategic and mission-driven decision. Children caught in high-conflict custody cases are among the most vulnerable – often navigating emotional trauma, instability, and systems that were not designed with their needs in mind. By providing custody advocacy, we ensure that their voices are heard, their best interests are prioritized, and their rights are protected during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.” 

 
About Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy  

Since 1967, our staff and pro bono attorneys have provided comprehensive civil legal services for our region’s low-income residents. We accomplish our mission through individual advice and representation, community education and outreach, representation of groups, self-help remedies, collaboration with other agencies, community economic development, legislative and administrative advocacy, and impact litigation. Our mission is to pursue justice for those in need. Our vision is to build a just community, where all people are treated fairly and have access to legal representation to meet their basic human needs of safety, security and stability. Learn more at charlottelegaladvocacy.org. 

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Affirms Strong Stewardship of IOLTA Funds, Supports Transparency and Continued Oversight

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Charlotte, NC – In response to the recently released audit of the North Carolina State Bar’s Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (Advocacy Center) affirms that the report found no misuse of funds by the organization and underscores the strength of its longstanding financial controls and reporting practices.

The comprehensive audit confirmed that IOLTA funds have been awarded appropriately to qualified nonprofit organizations across the state. It also offered recommendations to enhance oversight—steps that the Advocacy Center supports as part of a continued commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Advocacy Center was specifically named in the April 21, 2026 press release issued by the Office of the NC State Auditor. However, the audit report does not identify any misuse of NC IOLTA funds by our organization or make any findings specific to Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. Direct reference to the Advocacy Center in the report body was limited to listing it as one of the examples of organizations receiving grants from NC IOLTA in 2024.

An IOLTA account is a standard legal financial tool used nationwide. Attorneys hold client funds in these accounts temporarily, and the interest generated is directed to support civil legal aid and other public services. In North Carolina, IOLTA has distributed more than $134 million since 1983 to expand access to justice for people with low incomes—without the use of taxpayer dollars.

“IOLTA funding is a critical resource that allows us to serve individuals and families who otherwise could not afford legal help,” said Larissa Mañón, CEO of the Advocacy Center. “We are proud that this audit reflects what we already know to be true: our organization maintains rigorous reporting, compliance and audit controls to ensure every dollar is used as intended.”

The Advocacy Center receives funding from the federal government, the State of North Carolina, as well as local governments, foundations and corporations. All these funders require performance reports and financial reports for grants and contracts. The Advocacy Center is required to undergo an independent financial audit each year, which is shared with NC IOLTA as well as other funders, including the federal government.

“We welcome strong oversight and clear standards,” Mañón added. “They reinforce public trust and strengthen the impact of programs like IOLTA. Transparency is essential—not just for accountability, but for ensuring that critical legal services remain available to those who need them most.”

The Advocacy Center joins partners across the state in supporting the continued improvement and oversight of the IOLTA program, while emphasizing the importance of reinstating this vital funding for civil legal aid services.

About Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

Since 1967, our staff and pro bono attorneys have provided comprehensive civil legal services for our region’s low-income residents. We accomplish our mission through individual advice and representation, community education and outreach, representation of groups, self-help remedies, collaboration with other agencies, community economic development, legislative and administrative advocacy, and impact litigation. Our mission is to pursue justice for those in need. Our vision is to build a just community, where all people are treated fairly and have access to legal representation to meet their basic human needs of safety, security and stability. Learn more at charlottelegaladvocacy.org.

Standing with Our Immigrant Neighbors

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At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we believe everyone deserves access to justice. We recognize that immigrants in our community are navigating renewed fear and uncertainty, and we understand how profoundly this impacts their lives and families.

We stand with our immigrant neighbors. By upholding the law and advocating for our clients, we help protect the fundamental rights that make justice possible. Everyone deserves a fair chance and to be treated with dignity and respect in the legal system.

We will continue to work alongside our immigrant community to help ensure the Charlotte region is a place where everyone can have access to justice and experience the safety, security, and stability they deserve.

Immigration Resource Hub/ Centro de Recursos Sobre Inmigración

At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we work every day to protect the rights and dignity of immigrants. Among those most vulnerable to exploitation in our community are immigrant children and their families. Human trafficking, domestic abuse and discrimination are all significant issues affecting our local immigrant population, and vital services are often out of reach.

Through our Immigration Justice Program, we provide: 

  • Legal representation for those at risk of losing their stability 
  • Education and outreach so families know their rights 
  • Advocacy to prevent exploitation and keep families together 

What have we done in response to Customs and Border Patrol in Charlotte this week?

  • We are providing emergency planning assistance and preparation of legal documents for families concerned about the possibility of detainment or deportation.
  • We are offering additional Know Your Rights consultations upon request.
  • We are partnering with numerous other organizations and groups in Charlotte and throughout our state to respond to the ongoing situation.
  • We are continuing to monitor and respond to new developments.

Adding some perspective…
It’s not clear cut to label an immigrant “legal” or “illegal” because people’s status often changes for reasons beyond their control—visas expire, laws shift, and conditions in home countries deteriorate. Many who enter without authorization do so to seek lawful status, reunite with family, or escape danger, and even those eligible for protection can wait years in bureaucratic backlogs before becoming “lawful” on paper. Others have no available pathway at all due to arbitrary rules, past minor mistakes, or lack of legal help, leaving them in limbo despite paying taxes, supporting families, and contributing to their communities. And in some cases, people who long held lawful status become “illegal” overnight when policies change and programs like Temporary Protected Status or Humanitarian Parole are terminated.

Relevant Media Hits

The Guardian 11.20.25

‘I lose my liberty in that moment’: Charlotte shuts down as citizens and noncitizens alike face ICE arrests

Queen City News 11.20.25

Operation Charlotte’s Web Fallout: What happens next for detainees?

WFAE 11.19.25

How to help immigrant communities in Charlotte

NTD Television Network 11.13.25

Federal Immigration Operation Expected in Charlotte, North Carolina: Sheriff

Charlotte Observer 11.13.25

Border Patrol is expected in Charlotte. Know your rights if you get stopped

This content was originally sent out as a newsletter. Click here to subscribe to get the latest news and updates from the Advocacy Center delivered directly to your email mailbox.

SNAP Benefits Update

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Note: At the time of posting this (Thursday, Nov. 6), it is believed that SNAP beneficiaries, nearly 1.4 million North Carolinians, will receive a reduction in benefits for November that may vary depending on the amount usually received. The timing for the partial benefits to be loaded on EBT cards remains uncertain, but payments may begin next week. Click here for more information.    

This information was first shared in our newsletter. If you’d like updates like this delivered directly to your inbox, you can subscribe by clicking here.

Our Guidance for SNAP Recipients

At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we are advising individuals and families to:

Continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork
County Departments of Social Services are open and processing applications. Continue to apply and submit renewal paperwork during this time to prevent future unnecessary delays.

Use any benefits already on your EBT card
You can check your balance on ebtEDGE or by calling 1-888-622-7328 (the number on the back of your card).

Food Assistance Resources

Those who need food assistance during this uncertain time can consider utilizing the following resources:

  • Call 2-1-1 – This United Way service can help you find food assistance in your area
  • NCDHHS Food Access Page – View food access maps from NCDHHS
  • SNAP Double Bucks – The Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council has partnered with Mecklenburg County Public Health Department to provide financial assistance to SNAP users who shop at participating farmers markets by doubling their SNAP spend up to $50 each market visit
  • Food Finder Tool – Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s tool to help find free food near you. Enter your location to find no-cost groceries, meals and other support

How You Can Help

As need increases across our community, local food banks and pantries are facing greater demand. Here are ways you can make a difference: 

Celebrating Pro Bono Week

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Happy Pro Bono Week!

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy has had a busy week working with volunteers to advance several of our pro bono projects. We are so grateful for all our partners who showed up and gave so generously of their time this week!

On Monday, Julieanne Taylor, Director of our Family Support and Healthcare Program, trained volunteers from Haynes Boone LLP and Wells Fargo on scheduling clients for appointments with healthcare navigators during open enrollment. This task is particularly important in a year like this one, when there are so many changes to policies and pricing, making the process of enrolling in health insurance even more challenging than usual. Volunteers ended up calling 140 clients.

On Tuesday, we held our monthly Consumer Clinic, a project recently added to Charlotte Triage. Pro bono attorneys with civil litigation experience met with clients who have been subject to unfair or deceptive acts or practices to assess their claims, provide guidance on how to proceed pro se, or in some cases, take the case for full representation.

On Wednesday, Soreé Finley, Director of our Legal Services for the Elderly Program, led a training for attorneys from Duke Energy and Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP in advance of a clinic to draft and execute wills for seniors.

On Thursday, Kelly Durden, Managing Attorney for our Veterans Legal Services Project, led a training for attorneys from Wells Fargo and McGuireWoods LLP in advance of a clinic to draft and execute wills for veterans.

To close out the week, volunteers from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP and Vanguard spent time pulling criminal records for expungement clients after learning about North Carolina’s expunction statutes and recent transition to electronic filing. Together, we were able to run records for 30 clients, a critical first step in the process of clearing an eligible client’s past charges.

To learn more about these and other pro bono projects, visit our website and submit an interest form to get started: https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/access-to-justice-pro-bono-partners

2026 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment FAQ

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When is Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace? 

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) runs from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026. 

Is there still a penalty for not having health insurance? 

Effective January 1, 2019, there is no longer a penalty for not having health insurance. 

Which health insurance companies will be offering plans in 2026 in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union counties? 

The plans offered for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union Counties are Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oscar 

I already have coverage. How can I get ready to apply for 2026 Marketplace health coverage? 

If you already have a Healthcare.gov account, make sure you can log in. If your household size or income has changed, gather supporting documentation, such as last year’s tax returns or recent pay stubs. You may be required to provide copies of these documents to the Marketplace. Please note plans have changed! You can schedule a free appointment with a Navigator to discuss your options and make sure you are enrolled in the best plan for you and your family. 

What happens if I don’t sign up? 

If you can afford health insurance but choose not to buy it, you may face high out-of-pocket costs if you have a medical emergency or need to visit a doctor. Use the window-shopping tool on Healthcare.gov to see the plans available in your area; financial assistance may be available to you and your family. Your premium may be less than you think! 

Updating your Health Insurance Marketplace application for 2026 is crucial this year due to changes with the Marketplace, including the expiration of tax credits, premium increases, and other potential changes to plans.   

  • By actively updating your application instead of having your plan auto-renewed, you can avoid unexpected costs and ensure you receive the maximum financial assistance you qualify for.   
  • It is important to go through the application process to learn your options because there are so many changes 
  • You may no longer be eligible for premium tax credits 

What should I do if an agent or broker enrolled me in a Marketplace plan without my permission? 

Unauthorized enrollment in a Marketplace health plan by an agent or broker—without your consent or knowledge—is a serious issue. It can lead to unexpected premium charges, disruption of your healthcare access, and Tax implications. 

Here’s how it can affect you: 

  • Unexpected bills: You might receive premium invoices or tax penalties for coverage you didn’t authorize. 
  • Repayment of the Advance Premium Tax Credits: Being enrolled in a Marketplace plan while you are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare will not make you eligible to receive subsidies to cover your premium amount for a health insurance plan.  
  • Coverage confusion: You may not be able to access the doctors or prescriptions you need if the plan doesn’t match your needs. 

Steps to take immediately: 

  1. Contact one of our Navigators to help you navigate your escalation and retroactive cancellation.  
  1. Report the issue to the Marketplace: Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) and explain the situation. 
  1. Request a termination or correction: Ask to have the unauthorized plan canceled or corrected. 
  1. File a complaint against the agent or broker: You can do this through the Marketplace and/or your state’s Department of Insurance. 
  1. Monitor your account: Check your Marketplace account for any other unauthorized activity. 
  1. Protect your information: Change your account password and avoid sharing personal details with unverified agents. 

If you suspect fraud, act quickly. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to reverse any damage and protect your coverage options. 

Can I just wait and have my current plan automatically renewed? 

Even if you’re happy with your plan and you don’t have any life changes to report (like moving to a new state or changes in your income or household), you should still go back through the application and make sure all your information is up to date to ensure that you are receiving all the financial assistance you are eligible for. You can also check the health plans available in your area. You might benefit from a change, and you never know until you compare. You can do this yourself by logging into your Healthcare.gov account or by calling the Marketplace directly at 1-800-318-2596. You can also make an appointment with a navigator to go over your options —call today! 

If your income or household situation has changed, failing to update your information could result in receiving too much in Advance Premium Tax Credit payments. This could force you to pay back the excess amount when you file your 2026 taxes.  

When will my coverage start if I enroll or update my application after December 15, 2025? 

If you enroll in a plan or update your application after December 15, 2025, your new coverage will start on February 1, 2026. 

I no longer have coverage, or I lost coverage during 2025; what are my options? 

Even if you lost coverage this year, you may still qualify for financial assistance and can enroll in an affordable health plan for next year. You can log back into your Marketplace account, call the Marketplace, or meet with a navigator to start a new 2026 application. 

I am eligible for health benefits at work, but I want to see if I can get a better deal on the Marketplace. Can I do that?  

Yes, you can always shop for coverage on  Healthcare.gov, assuming you meet other eligibility requirements. However, if you have access to affordable job-based coverage through your employer or your spouse’s employer, you may not qualify for financial assistance in the Marketplace. It is important to have information about your employer coverage offer when you complete a Marketplace application. The Employer-Sponsored Insurance Affordability threshold for 2026 is 9.96% of annual income for the Cost of Family coverage. 

I have COBRA, but it’s too expensive. Can I drop it during Open Enrollment and enroll in a Marketplace plan instead? 

During Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effectively on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins. After Open Enrollment ends, however, if you voluntarily drop your COBRA coverage or stop paying premiums, you will not be eligible for a special enrollment opportunity. You will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period. Only exhaustion of your COBRA coverage triggers a special enrollment opportunity. 

How can I find out if my doctor and/or prescription medication is in a health plan’s network?  

Each plan sold on Healthcare.gov provides a link to its health provider directory and prescription drug formulary so consumers can find out if their health providers and medications are included. 

I am not currently working. Although I do not have income, should I still review my healthcare options for 2026? 

YES! Although you are not currently working, the Marketplace application asks for information about your anticipated income for the following year. Therefore, you can estimate your potential income for 2026 even if you are not working right now. You can always update your income using the Marketplace application. Navigators can walk you through your options. Schedule a free appointment, in person or virtually, by calling 980-256-3782 or going online to ncnavigator.org 

You may also be now eligible for Medicaid under Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina. The Navigators will be able to assist you in understanding your eligibility and finding the best plan to fit your needs and protect you and your family. Click here to learn more. 

What if I need help? 

Navigators are available in your area and taking appointments, but we anticipate that appointments will fill up quickly! As always, appointments are free and available at convenient times. Appointments are available at convenient locations, including our office. Walk-in times for self-help and the computer lab are also available at our office on Saturdays, 9:30 am-2:00 pm. Call 980-256-3782 or visit ncnavigator.org to schedule an appointment today.