Late 401k distribution

[MAJ]

A hospital social worker here in NJ calls trying to help a patient.
A woman is due for a procedure or something and is on some type of income-restricted health care plan (NJ state?).
She receives a 401k distribution every December which is her only income for the year other than SS (assumed).
She MUST have income in order to be eligible for the health care program (do not know details).
She did NOT receive her 401k distribution in December.
So, because of no distribution in 2021, she technically has no income. No income = no health coverage.
She just found all this out because she needs a procedure and found she has no health coverage.
Still has not received the 401k distribution and now won't take it unless they give her a 1099-R for 2021 showing she was paid.
What a mess.
Obviously, income is reportable in the year received.

Is there ANYTHING that can be done? To me, it does not look likely but for some reason, I have this tick in the back of my head saying there must be SOMETHING..... She is consulting a lawyer but that may be a useless expense in my eyes.


Thoughts?

[Beersheba]

Determine whether she actually did receive a distribution via other records, and offer as proof. You will never make the 401k custodian issue a 1099-R quickly enough to secure relief.

[ATSMAN]

Even if the 401(k) distribution was made today it would be counted for 2022 NOT 2021. I have run into similar issues with 401(k) distribution and there is no way the 401(k) plan can back date it to 2021 if they are cutting a check in 2022.

[FEDUKE404]

I don't think it would be quite kosher for an entity to distribute taxable funds during calendar year 2022 and then issue a 2021 Form 1099-R.
BTW: Where is Medicare in this story? ?