Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) helps people who became unemployed due to layoffs as a result of foreign imports or a shift of production out of the United States.
- A petition is filed with the US Department of Labor for certification. www.doleta.gov/tradeact.
- If a company is certified, workers are provided specific benefits and services to assist in reemployment.
- Benefits include, but are not limited to, employment and case management services, classroom training, on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, etc.
- Training must be an in-demand occupation and lead to a reasonable expectation of employment.
- Classroom training includes up to 130 weeks and up to $45,000 in costs.
- Participants may be eligible for up to 130 weeks of Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA) which is income support while enrolled in classroom training and administered through the Unemployment Division.
- Job Search Allowance is reimbursement for costs while conducting job search activities.
- Job Relocation is reimbursement for costs associated with relocating for employment outside the normal commuting distance of 20 miles or more.
- Contact us at taacoordinator@wv.gov
For more information about TAA, please review our Trade Booklets: 2015 Trade Adjustment Assistance Rules; Reversion 2021 Rules.
Note:
On July 1, 2022, the termination provision under Section 285(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, took effect. Until further notice, the Department may not issue any determinations and may not accept any new petitions or requests for reconsideration. Requests to amend current certifications may still be filed. Workers who were certified and separated from their job on or before June 30, 2022, may still be eligible for benefits and services and should contact the State TAA office for further information.
At this time the Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) and the Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) wage subsidy programs are not available to workers who did not access this benefit before July 1, 2022.