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HealthCare.gov Wants a Letter of Explanation for My Income. What Is It and How Do I Send It?
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
The Letter of Explanation is a short HealthCare.gov form you use only when you cannot get any of the regular income documents the Marketplace asks for. You fill in your name, birth date, application ID, and expected yearly income, then upload it as a document type called Letter of Explanation or mail a copy to the address on the form.
What happened
The Marketplace sent a notice saying it cannot confirm the income on your application. It listed documents you can send as proof, things like pay stubs or a self employment ledger. If you do not have any of those, the notice points to a backup option. That backup is a one page form the Marketplace calls the Letter of Explanation.
What usually applies
This form is for one narrow case. You applied for Marketplace coverage. You got a notice asking for income proof. You do not have any of the other accepted documents. On the form, you write today's date. You add the name and birth date of the main application contact. You add your application ID and the yearly income your household expects. That income must match what you already told the Marketplace. If it does not match, update your application first. You can upload the form. Pick Letter of Explanation from the document type list in your account. Or mail a copy, never the original, to the address on the form. Your own notice states the exact due date. For a household income mismatch, HealthCare.gov usually allows 90 days. Your letter has the date that applies to your case.
“You can use this form if you applied for Marketplace coverage and got a letter from the Marketplace saying you need to submit documents to confirm your annual income, but you don’t have any of the other acceptable documents listed.”
“Choose “Letter of explanation” from the list of document types, and follow the instructions.”
“The annual income you enter must match the income you reported on your Marketplace or other health insurance application. If it doesn’t, update your Marketplace application.”
“Send a copy only (not the original). y Include the printed bar code page that came with your letter. If you don’t have a bar code, include your printed name and the application ID on each page of your form.”
“You have: 90 days to confirm information that doesn't match our records, like your household income”
“Or, complete a written explanation form (PDF, 215 KB). To submit this form, select “Other” from the drop-down menu when you’re on the upload screen in the application.”
What to do
- 1
Check that you truly have no other document
The form is meant as a last resort. Look first at the list of accepted income documents on your notice, such as a pay stub, benefits letter, or self employment ledger.
- 2
Download and fill out the form completely
Fill in your name, date of birth, application ID, and the household income you expect for the year. Use the same income figure you already reported to the Marketplace.
- 3
Upload it as a Letter of Explanation or mail a copy
Online, log into your account and open your application. Choose Letter of Explanation from the document type list. By mail, send only a copy, never the original. Put your name and application ID on each page.
- 4
Confirm it arrived before your deadline
Your notice states your exact due date. Check your account status after sending the form so you know it was received in time.
A Marketplace navigator can help. So can a certified application counselor. Both are free. They can help you fill out the form. They can also help you estimate your yearly income if that part feels hard. If your deadline is close, or your tax credit was already reduced, call the Marketplace Call Center on your notice. You can also call your local 211 line right away.
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Sources
- HealthCare.gov / CMS, Annual Income Letter of Explanation (CMS Product No. 12171)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- HealthCare.gov, Required documents & deadlinesRetrieved 2026-07-16
- HealthCare.gov, How do I resolve a data matching issue?Retrieved 2026-07-16
Last reviewed 2026-07-16