The Trump administration on Tuesday began mailing $500 refund cheques to about 9.5 lakh Americans across 30 states, funded by a surplus in HealthCare.gov user fees.

The cheques, accompanied by a letter signed by President Trump, were announced on September 10. Officials said the surplus accumulated from fees paid by insurers on the federal health exchange.

The refunds are separate from Trump’s promised $5,000 “dividend” cheques, which remain under discussion. The administration has framed the $500 payments as returning money directly to taxpayers.

Critics questioned the timing and the use of exchange funds, while supporters called it a straightforward refund. The cheques are expected to reach recipients over the coming weeks, with the White House releasing a fact sheet explaining the programme. Eligible recipients are those who bought coverage through the federal exchange in the 30 states using HealthCare.gov. The administration said no application is needed — cheques are being sent automatically to qualifying households based on enrolment records.