What’s real and what isn’t
Who gets it
People who bought 2026 coverage through HealthCare.gov and paid full price without any premium subsidy. Delaware’s state government notes that eligible households with more than one enrollee could get more than one refund.
Which states
Only states that use HealthCare.gov. States that run their own marketplace are not included.
How it arrives
Delaware.gov (Oct 12, 2026): the administration has already identified eligible consumers, payments are issued automatically, and no action is required to start the refund.
What the scam says
“Your $500 ACA refund is ready, pay a processing fee to claim it,” “verify your identity to release your HealthCare.gov refund,” “log in here before it expires.” None of that is part of the real refund.
Questions people ask
Do I need to apply for the $500 HealthCare.gov refund?
No. Delaware.gov says eligible consumers have already been identified and payments are issued automatically.
I got a subsidy on my 2026 plan. Do I get $500?
According to Delaware.gov, the refund applies only to people who paid full price for their 2026 Marketplace plan without any premium subsidy.
Who do I call with questions?
HealthCare.gov customer service at 1-800-318-2596. Dial it yourself rather than using a number from a text.
Got a specific text or email?
Paste it into the free checker. It returns Alive, Dead, or Changed with the agency source, and says unknown when it can’t tell. If you want a person to read one message against the official source and write back, that’s the $9 sourced check.
Sources
Delaware.gov: Possible refunds for certain 2026 ACA Marketplace enrollees (Oct 12, 2026) · HealthCare.gov. Checked Oct 16, 2026.