Trade Adjustment Assistance

NOTE: Benefits and eligibility criteria for the Trade Adjustment Assistance have recently changed.

For latest information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor web site at www.doleta.gov/tradeact/

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is available to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports.  Under the Trade Act of 1974, workers whose employment is adversely affected by increased imports may apply for TAA, which includes a variety of benefits and reemployment services to help unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Workers may be eligible for:

• Training

• Job Search Allowance

• Relocation Allowance

• Other Reemployment Services

• Additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits following the exhaustion of regular benefits 
  (Trade Readjustment Allowance, TRA)
  

Establishing Group Eligibility for TAA

Qualifying for Trade Readjustment Allowance

• Be Covered by Certification
• Be laid off due to lack of work in adversely affected employment
• Be laid off from employment on or after the impact date and before the ending date of certification.
• Have worked at least 26 weeks at wages of $30 or more a week in adversely affected employment with a single firm or subdivision in the 52 week period ending with the week of separation.
• Have been entitled to and have exhausted all rights to Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits.
• Meet the same weekly work text applicable to claimants for extended unemployment insurance benefits, including actively seeking, applying for and accepting work within your capabilities.
• Be enrolled in or have completed an approved training program, unless training requirement is waived by the designated state agency.

For further information on the Trade Act or TAA, please contact any netWORKri office, the office of 
Trade Adjustment Assistance in the U.S. Dept of Labor or any Labor Department regional office.

Click here to view the DOL's Changes to TAA program - Questions and Answers

Click here to view the DOL's TAA program brochure - Getting back to work after a Trade-Related Layoff

RI Department of Labor and Training
Unemployment Insurance
1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 462-8400