Elected officials announced the continuation of the Paraeducator Healthcare Subsidy Program on Tuesday morning.

The program will devote $10 million to providing financial assistance for paras' health care costs.

Paraeducators enrolled in a high deductible health plan with a health savings account employed by a local or regional school district are eligible for a one-time stipend.

Officials say a newly eligible population of paras will also receive up to 10% of their health care premium costs if they're enrolled in a traditional, premium-based plan.

“Whether you're a para or a regular person, being on those high-deductible plans is a very expensive proposition,” said Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “In many cases, it means people who are working on fixed-incomes, working-people, have to pay thousands of dollars before they even have health care."

The Office of the State Comptroller says it expects payments to go out later this fall to more than 5,000 paraeducators.