CONNECTICUT LABOR DEPARTMENT IMPORTANTE TENGA ESTO TRADUCIDO INMEDIATAMENTE

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DIVISION

TAA -228 (Rev. 06/02/2004)

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE (TAA)

TRADE READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES (TRA)
BENEFIT RIGHTS INFORMATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THIS INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT
BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE, HOW TO APPLY FOR EACH BENEFIT AND WHAT IS
REQUIRED TO QUALIFY FOR EACH BENEFIT.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) helps unemployed workers who have lost their jobs or whose hours of
work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports or shifts in production to certain countries
outside the United States to re-enter the workforce. The program provides a variety of benefits and
reemployment services to assist trade-impacted workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment.
Workers may be eligible for training, job search and relocation allowances, and other reemployment services.
Additionally, weekly Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) and Health Coverage Tax Credits may be
payable to eligible workers.

REEMPLOYMENT SERVICES
TRAINING
If there are no suitable jobs in your area and training would improve your chances of getting a job, you
should discuss your needs and goals with the staff of your local CT Works Center as soon as possible to see
if you qualify. You will be advised as to the employment outlook for workers with different job skills, the kinds
of work best suited to your aptitudes and interests, and the no-cost training opportunities that may be
available to you. Training opportunities may occur on-the-job and/or in a classroom setting and may include
technical training, vocational training and/or remedial education. A customized training plan may also be
developed for your individual needs. The Trade Act Program will sponsor approved training if your training
plan meets TAA requirements and if funds are available.

You may receive the balance of your Unemployment Compensation or TRA funds available to you while you
train, as long as you continue to participate in an approved training program.

JOB SEARCH ALLOWANCE

A job search allowance may be payable to cover expenses incurred in seeking employment outside your
normal commuting area. Only travel within the United States is authorized.

There are time limits for filing applications for job search allowances. You must file for job search
allowances within 365 days after the date of certification or 365 days after the date of your last total
separation (whichever is later), or within 182 days after the completion of Trade Act approved training. Your
application must be filed and approved before seeking employment outside your normal commuting
area.

RELOCATION ALLOWANCE
If you are successful in obtaining employment outside your normal commuting area, the TAA program offers
financial assistance for you to relocate to your new area of employment.

There are time limits for filing an application for a relocation allowance. You must file for a relocation
allowance within 425 days after the date of certification or 425 days after your last total separation
(whichever is later), or within 182 days after you complete Trade Act approved training. Also, you must
relocate within 182 days after you apply for a relocation allowance, or 182 days after you complete training.
Your application must be filed and approved before moving.

TRADE READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES (TRA)

Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) are payable to eligible workers following their exhaustion of
unemployment compensation benefits. You may be eligible for weekly Trade Readjustment Allowances if the
following eligibility requirements are met: you have completed training approved under the Trade Act; or you
have enrolled in training or have received a waiver from this requirement by either the last day of the 16 th
week following the most recent qualifying separation or the last day of the 8th week after the week in which
the Secretary of Labor has issued a certification, whichever is later. If the Administrator determines that there
are extenuating circumstances that justify an extension in the training enrollment period, the time limits
described above may be extended for 45 days. If you are issued a waiver from the training enrollment
requirement and the waiver period terminates, the Administrator may set a date by which you must be
enrolled in approved training. This date will be the last day of the 30-day period following the termination of
the waiver.
TRAINING PROGRAMS AND WAIVERS
The training requirement may be waived if training is not feasible or appropriate because: you expect to
be recalled to work, you have marketable skills and there is a reasonable expectation of employment in the
foreseeable future, you are within 2 years of meeting all requirements for entitlement to Retirement, you are
unable to participate in training due to your health, approved training is not reasonably available to you from
either governmental agencies or private sources, training is not available at a reasonable cost, no training
funds are available, the first available enrollment date for the approved training is within 60 days after the
date of the training determination.

If you are participating in or have completed a training course, and are filing for TRA benefits or expect to
file for TRA in the future, you will need to meet with a TAA representative at your local CT Works Center.
Bring any pertinent information you have on the training program. The Trade Act Coordinator will issue a
determination to you concerning your training.

Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss or delay of TRA benefits.

YOUR BASIC TRA ELIGIBILITY PERIOD

When you qualify for TRA, you will have an eligibility period of 104 weeks (up to 130 weeks if remedial
education is part of your reemployment plan), in which you can be paid TRA. This period will usually begin
the first week after your most recent qualifying total separation from adversely affected employment. The
maximum amount of basic TRA you may receive during this period is limited to 52 times your TRA weekly
amount minus all unemployment compensation benefits you were entitled to receive. For example: If you
were entitled to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, you may receive up to 26 weeks of TRA.

ADDITIONAL TRA BENEFITS

You may, in some cases, receive up to 52 additional weeks of TRA (up to 78 weeks if remedial education is
part of your retraining plan), if you satisfy TRA eligibility requirements and if you submit a bonafide application
for Trade Act approved training through your local CT Works Center within 210 days of your company’s
petition certification date, or, if later, within 210 days of your most recent qualifying separation. Additional
weeks of TRA are intended to assist you to complete the approved training program.

HEALTH COVERAGE TAX CREDITS

If you qualify for TRA, you may be eligible for a Health Coverage Tax Credit. If you are eligible, you can use
the Tax Credit to help with the cost of health coverage for yourself and qualified family members. Access the
IRS web site at www.irs.gov. Enter HCTC in the IRS Keyword field, and click on ‘GO’.

Your initial Request for Entitlement Determination to TRA (TAA-855) is not

considered a bonafide application for Trade Act approved training.

TRAINING AND YOUR AVAILABILITY FOR WORK

While you are enrolled in Trade Act approved training, you will not have to seek or accept employment. You
can collect your TRA entitlement (and additional TRA if you are otherwise eligible) without being attached to
the labor market.

If you have completed training, or have had the training requirement waived, you must
meet the work search requirements imposed by Federal law.

TRAINING DISQUALIFICATIONS

An individual who, without justifiable cause, refuses to accept or continue participation in an approved
training program shall not be eligible for basic or additional TRA, or any other payment under the Trade Act,
for the week of such occurrence and any week thereafter until the week in which the individual enters or
resumes participation in an approved training program.

Justifiable cause is determined by comparing your actions with the actions of a reasonable individual in
similar circumstances. It includes, but is not limited to, reasons beyond your control.

An individual who fails to begin or complete participation in training may be liable for an overpayment of TRA
benefits and/or training costs.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT A TRADE ACT COUNSELOR
AT A CT WORKS CENTER