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The TAA Reform Act:
- Repealed NAFTA-TAA, consolidating that program into
TAA (Workers certified for
NAFTA-TAA under petitions received before November 4,
2002, however, will continue to receive NAFTA-TAA
services for as long as their eligibility lasts.)
- Expanded eligibility to more worker groups,
increased existing benefits available and provided tax
credits for health insurance coverage assistance
- Increased timeliness for benefit receipt, training
and rapid response assistance
- Legislated specific waiver provisions
President Obama signed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("Recovery Act") on February 17,
2009. The Trade and Globalization
Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009, part of the Recovery
Act, made changes to the TAA program.
In general, changes to worker benefits and certification
criteria apply only to workers covered by petitions filed on
or after May 18, 2009. The exception is that the increase in
the amount of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), which
provides a tax credit towards health insurance costs, goes
into effect beginning with the month of May 2009 and applies
to all recipients, regardless of when their petition was
filed.
What are the major changes in benefits?
Old TAA Program
(Available to Workers Covered by Petitions with
Numbers Below 70,000) |
New TAA Program
(Available to Workers Covered by Petitions with
Numbers Above 70,000) |
Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA)
Up to 104 weeks of cash payments for workers enrolled in full-time
training
Up to 130 weeks of cash payments if the worker was also enrolled in
remedial training |
Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA)
Up to 130 weeks of cash payments for workers enrolled in full-time
training
Up to 156 weeks of cash payments if the worker was also enrolled in
remedial training |
Training Enrollment Deadlines
Workers must be enrolled in training 8 weeks after certification or 16
weeks after layoff, whichever is later, in order to
receive TRA
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Training Enrollment Deadlines
Workers must be enrolled in training 26 weeks after certification or
layoff, whichever is later, in order to receive TRA
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Job Search Allowances
90% of allowable costs, up to $1,250 |
Job Search Allowances
100% of allowable costs, up to $1,500 |
Relocation Allowances
90% of costs, up to the statutory limit for Federal Employees
Provides an additional lump sum payment of up to $1,250 |
Relocation Allowances
100% of costs, up to the statutory limit for Federal Employees
Provides an additional lump sum payment of up to $1,500 |
Training Services
Training may only be approved on a full-time basis
Certified workers may not begin approved training until they have been
totally or partially separated from adversely
affected employment |
Training Services
Training may be approved on a full-time or part-time basis, although
full-time training is required for TRA eligibility.
Certified workers may begin approved training when threatened with
separation from adversely affected employment |
Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)
Prior to May 2009, a tax credit covering up to 65% of an eligible
participant's monthly qualifying health insurance
premium
Beginning May 2009, the tax credit will be raised for all participants
to cover 80% of an eligible participant's monthly
qualifying health insurance premium |
Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)
A tax credit covering 80% of an eligible participant's monthly
qualifying health insurance premium |
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance
Available to workers 50 years of age or older
Requires a separate certification of group eligibility
Workers may not participate in TAA-approved training
Requires full-time employment within 26 weeks of separation
Available only for workers earning less than $50,000 per year in
reemployment
Maximum benefit of $10,000 over a period of up to two years
Participants are eligible for the HCTC |
Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance
Available to workers 50 years of age or older
Does not require a separate certification of group eligibility
Workers may participate in TAA- approved training
Requires full-time employment, unless the worker is also enrolled in
TAA-approved training and employed at least 20 hours
per week, and does not set a deadline for
reemployment
Available only for workers earning less than $55,000 per year in
reemployment
Maximum benefit of $12,000 over a period of up to two years
Participants are eligible for the HCTC |
What are some examples of new groups of workers
that may now be certified under the New TAA Program?
Additional groups of workers that may be certified include,
but are not limited to:
- Workers in firms that supply services.
- Workers whose firm has shifted production to any
foreign country.
- Workers in public agencies.
- Workers whose firm produces component parts of a
finished article produced by its customer(s).
- Workers in firms that supply testing, packaging,
maintenance and transportation services to companies
with TAA-certified workers.
- Workers whose firm is identified in an International
Trade Commission injury determination listed in the
Act.
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