Graphical Version
Trade Act Programs: Reemployment Services - Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
Rapid Response Assistance
When the Dislocated Worker Unit in a state is alerted to the possibility of
a layoff and/or plant closing, it responds quickly with on-site services. They will make employees aware of their eligibility to apply for the TAA and NAFTA-TAA program and the process of petitioning for certification. Learn more about Rapid Response.
Reemployment Service
Once the U.S. Department of Labor certifies eligibility, workers are offered a broad range of reemployment services, including:
- Career Counseling
- Job Placement Assistance Services
- Supportive Services
- Skills Assessment
- Job Development
- Job Search Assistance
- Referrals
Training
Training is available to assist certified workers in obtaining a
new job or career in a different field. Workers may receive up to 104 weeks of approved training in occupational skills, basic and/or remedial education or training in literacy and/or English as a Second Language (ESL).
Income Support
Income Support, known as Trade Readjustment Allowances
(TRA) are weekly payments available for up to 52 weeks after the worker's
unemployment compensation benefit is exhausted and during the period in
which a worker is participating in an approved full-time training program. Income Support is a combination of Unemployment Compensation and Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits for a maximum of 78 weeks (26 weeks of Unemployment Compensation and 52 weeks for Trade Readjustment Allowance).
Job Search Allowance
A job search allowance may be payable to cover expenses incurred in seeking employment outside your normal commuting area.
Relocation Allowance
Relocation Allowance provides reimbursement for approved expenses to relocate to a new area of employment if a worker is successful in obtaining employment outside the normal commuting area.
Waiver of Training
Training under TAA can only be waived if it is not "feasible or appropriate." A Worker can still receive basic TRA as long as one of the following conditions exist:
- there is no training program available;
- training does not start within 30 days;
- the training that is available does not meet TAA approval criteria such as reasonable costs;
- the worker is unable to participate in or complete training due to personal circumstances such as financial needs;
- funds are not available to pay the total cost of training;
- the worker has marketable skills; or
- the worker will be going back to work reasonably soon.
Waivers are usually issued only once but are reviewed every 30 days. If conditions change, and training becomes "feasible and appropriate", the waiver is removed, and a worker is enrolled in training. On the other hand, if conditions do not change, waivers can be extended. The
waiver is revoked after training begins.
