In Washington, Open Enrollment for people to sign up for health insurance in 2015 is scheduled for November 15, 2014 – February 15, 2015. This means that most people in Washington state aren’t able to sign up for health insurance until mid-November, and coverage won’t begin until January 1, 2015.

However, if you are eligible, you are able to enroll in Medicaid at any time. Medicaid is health coverage for individuals and families with low incomes. For example, if your income is $16,105 or less for a household of one person or if the household income for a family of four is $32,913 or less – you are likely eligible for Medicaid. Visit this page to learn more about Medicaid, how to apply, and how to renew coverage.

If you think you might be eligible for Medicaid, visit the Washington HealthPlanFinder page to check your eligibility and to apply. You’ll need your household monthly income, you and all household members’ Social Security numbers, and your immigration information, if that applies to you.

During this time that Open Enrollment is closed, it may still be possible to enroll in health coverage through Washington HealthPlanFinder – if you have a qualifying life event or a complex situation related to applying in the Marketplace. A qualifying life event includes if you’ve recently moved to Washington, if you have had certain changes in your income, if your household size changes – like if you marry, divorce, or have a baby – or if your citizenship status changed.

You may also be able to apply for insurance through the Marketplace due to a complex situation. For a list of qualifying complex situations, click here. Examples include if a serious medical condition kept you from enrolling during Open Enrollment in 2013-2014, if there were a system error related to immigration status when you were trying to enroll online, or if you’re a victim of domestic abuse and weren’t previously allowed to enroll and receive advance payments of the premium tax credit separately from your spouse.

Learn more about Washington state-specific information on special enrollment. And to get help enrolling in health coverage through the Marketplace, learn more about certified in-person assisters and contact an organization with in-person assisters in your area, ready to support you. You’re even welcome to reach out to the YWCA’s Outreach & Enrollment Specialist, Hodo Hussein. She may be enrolling community members at a site near you! Email Hodo at hhussein@ywcaworks.org or call at 206.436.8674.