How Long Do I Have to Elect COBRA Coverage?

Use the free tool — Final Pay & COBRA Clock FL

Florida has no final-paycheck law — here's what applies instead

Most states set a deadline for your last paycheck. Florida doesn't. There is no state statute telling your employer when your final check must arrive. What applies instead is the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) "next regular payday" rule: you should be paid by the normal payday for the pay period you worked, just like any other paycheck.

If you aren't paid by then, this explains the rule and computes the date, but it can't collect wages for you. For unpaid wages, the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243) is free and can help.

Is your unused PTO owed to you?

It depends. Florida has no state law requiring employers to pay out unused PTO or vacation time. Whether you're owed that money comes down entirely to your employer's own written policy — the handbook, offer letter, or plan document.

If the written policy promises payout, it's generally owed.
If the policy says PTO is forfeited at separation, that may control instead.

This tool can walk through how this works based on what you describe, but it cannot read your actual handbook. Check your written policy or ask HR directly to be sure.

COBRA: the notice and the 60-day election window

COBRA gives you the right to continue your health coverage after you leave a job. Two things matter:

Your plan must send you a notice.
You then have a 60-day election window to decide, under federal COBRA rules (29 U.S.C. 1161–1169; 29 CFR 2590.606).

The 60 days runs from your plan's actual notice — not from your last day of work and not from a guess. Keep the envelope it arrived in; the postmark or notice date is what starts the clock. This tool computes the dates for you once you describe your coverage-end date, but the real deadline is set by your plan's notice.

The marketplace alternative and the premium math

COBRA isn't the only option. Losing job-based coverage is a qualifying event for an ACA marketplace special-enrollment period, which can mean a different premium than continuing COBRA. This tool lays out that comparison based on the numbers you enter, so you can see COBRA vs. marketplace vs. a spouse's plan side by side.

This is not health-insurance or tax advice. Confirm actual premium amounts and enrollment deadlines with the marketplace or your plan administrator.

What to do next

Describe your last day, how you left, your pay schedule, your PTO policy, your health plan, and your employer's size. The free tool reads your own numbers and document details — not generic examples — and gives you:

The FLSA "next regular payday" date for your final check
What your PTO situation looks like under a written-policy analysis
Your COBRA notice and 60-day election dates, computed
The premium math for COBRA vs. marketplace vs. a spouse's plan
A written request letter to send to payroll

It's free, available in English and Spanish, and it is not legal, tax, or benefits advice. It cannot read your handbook or plan documents and doesn't file anything for you. Confirm your specific situation with your employer, plan administrator, or a professional.

Use the free tool

Final Pay & COBRA Clock FL is an informational tool based on the FLSA, COBRA (29 U.S.C. 1161–1169; 29 CFR 2590.606), the ACA special-enrollment rules, and Florida Statutes 448.08 as of 2025–26. It is not legal, tax or benefits advice and does not file anything. Plan-specific deadlines are in the plan's notices. It is not affiliated with any employer, insurer or agency.