Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits

The following types of training programs may be approved by the State Trade Unit.  You must apply for each program.

• Occupational training
• On-the-job training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Post-secondary education
• Remedial education (including GED preparation, literacy training, basic math, or English as a Second Language)

For training to be approved, as a worker you must meet the following requirements:

• No suitable employment is available.
• The worker would benefit from appropriate training.
• A reasonable expectation of employment following completion of training exist.
• The training is reasonably available.
• The worker is qualified to undertake and complete such training.
• Training is available at a reasonable cost.

Not all workers may require or be eligible to receive training. Individuals enrolled in TAA-approved training programs are required to attend their sessions on a full-time basis. No individual is entitled to receive more than one occupational training program under an approved TAA petition.

Weekly income support payments for eligible workers participating in full-time training is available through the Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) . TRA is payable after your unemployment insurance benefits have been exhausted.

There are three types of TRA: Basic, Additional, and Completion.

Basic TRA is available for workers who are enrolled in TAA-approved training programs, have already completed training, or have been waived from the training requirement (see below for details).

Workers may be waived from the training requirement under the following conditions:

• The worker is unable to participate in or complete training due to a health condition.
• No training program is available.
• An enrollment date is not immediately available.

Additional TRA is available for eligible workers who are participating in a full-time TAA-approved training program and have exhausted their Basic TRA benefits.  This type of income support may be available for up to an additional 65 weeks.

Completion TRA may provide an additional allowance for up to 13 weeks and is available for workers who have exhausted both Basic and Additional TRA.  As a worker, you must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for this benefit:

• The requested weeks are necessary for you to complete a training program that leads to completion of a degree or industry-recognized credential.

• You are participating in training in each of the weeks you received an allowance payment.

• You have substantially met the performance benchmarks established in your approved training plan.

• You are expected to continue to make progress toward the completion of the approved training.

• You will be able to complete the training during the period authorized for receipt of Completion TRA.

Alternative/Re-employment Trade Adjustment Assistance is a wage subsidy program for older workers who are at least 50 years old, have accepted a new full-time job, and who do not earn more than $50,000 annually in their new position. These workers may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50% of the difference between their old and new wages, up to a maximum of $10,000 paid over a two-year period.

Job search allowances reimburse you for the expenses you incur while searching for a job outside of your normal commuting area.  If you're eligible, as a worker you may receive up to $1,250 to help with the cost of allowable travel and subsistence. Pre-approval is required. A job search allowance may be approved only if submitted before:

• Starting the job search;
• Within 365 days of the layoff or certification (whichever is later); or
• Within 182 days after the conclusion of training

Relocation allowances are available for workers who take a new job outside of their normal commuting area. This allowance covers up to $1,250 of the reasonable and necessary expenses involved in relocating. Pre-approval is required, workers must submit an application for relocation allowances before the move occurs:

• Before their relocation begins
• Within 425 days of the layoff or certification (whichever is later)
• Within 182 days after the conclusion of training

The benefits and services covered by the TAA have different deadlines and criteria. North Carolina offers an appeals process for workers who disagree with the determinations regarding their applications for benefits. When workers file an application for a TAA-approved benefit, they will receive a written notice that outlines the appeals process, their rights, and the time limits to filing an appeal. If a worker’s request for benefits is denied, then they will receive instructions on how to file the appeal.