Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is intended to assist individuals, who become unemployed due to layoffs as a result of foreign imports or a shift of production out of the United States, to return to suitable employment.

Workers are eligible for TAA program services if a TAA petition submitted on behalf of the workers is certified by the U.S. Department of Labor determining that the workers were separated from their employment due to foreign competition.

In 2009, Congress passed legislation that expanded training and other benefits provided under Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

IMPORTANT: These expanded benefits are only available to individuals covered under Trade Petitions approved after May 18, 2009.

• Training: . Training consists of one occupational skills training which may include a group of courses related to a specific occupational goal; and if required, up to 26 weeks of remedial / prerequisite training. Training may be in the form of classroom training, on-line (distance learning) classes, or on-the-job training. All training must be approved in advance by WorkForce West Virginia’s Dislocated Worker Services Unit.
• Travel Allowance: Eligible to receive supplemental assistance (a daily mileage allowance) to assist with travel costs while attending training outside normal commuting distance.
• Subsistence Allowance: Eligible to receive a subsistence allowance (to offset living expenses) while attending training outside the normal commuting distance.
• Supply Allowance: Eligible to receive a reimbursement per semester/quarter up to $50.00 for purchases of training supplies (notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, etc.).
• TRA Benefits: Eligible to receive up to 156 weeks of Income Support payments. Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) is administered by WorkForce West Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance Division.
• Health Care Tax Credit (HCTC): A program that is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assisting eligible customers by paying 80% of their monthly health care premium or provides eligible customers with a tax credit of 80% of the health care premium cost when filing their federal tax return. All eligibility determinations are made by the IRS. Customers who believe they may be eligible for HCTC should contact the WorkForce West Virginia’s Dislocated Worker Services Unit to inquire about the availability of funds from the HCTC Bridge Grant Program. The Bridge Grant provides assistance to HCTC customers to avoid any lapse in insurance coverage by providing HCTC payments while the customer is awaiting IRS approval.
• Job Search Allowance: Eligible customers may be reimbursed up to 100% of travel, meals, and lodging expenses (up to a maximum of $1,500) while attending prearranged interviews beyond their normal commuting area. All requests for job search allowances must be approved in advance by WorkForce West Virginia’s Dislocated Worker Services Unit.
• Relocation Allowance: Upon accepting a job offer, eligible customers may be reimbursed up to 100% of reasonable and necessary expenses for moving their household to a new location outside their normal commuting area. In addition, a lump sum check equal to three (3) times their last weekly wage (up to a maximum of $1,500) may be paid to help with additional expenses. All requests for relocation allowances must be approved in advance by WorkForce West Virginia’s Dislocated Worker Services Unit.
• Reemployment TAA (RTAA): A wage subsidy program offered for older workers, minimal age of 50, who are not interested in training and want to return to the workforce quickly. The wage subsidy may not exceed $12,000 or two years, whichever occurs first.

For more information about the expanded 2009 Trade Adjustment Assistance, contact the West Virginia Dislocated Worker Services Unit or call toll free 877-967-5498.