I didn’t apply for a hardship exemption from the Marketplace during Open Enrollment. Is it too late to apply for a hardship exemption for this year?

No, you can apply to the Marketplace for a hardship exemption at any time during the year.  Most hardship exemptions will be granted for the month before the hardship, the months of the hardship, and the month after the hardship. You will need to document the timing of the hardship in your application.

In addition, for the 2018 tax year, you can claim a hardship exemption directly on your tax return, by checking the box on Form 1040, without having to apply to the Marketplace.  You won’t be required to submit documentation of the hardship with your tax return, though you should retain any documents for your own records.