The Trade Act Program

1. The Trade Act Program A general overview Please contact your local TAA Representative for the details!

2. What is the Trade Act? • A national program based on Federal law • Available to trade affected workers anywhere in the United States

3. What does Trade Act include? Two Major Components • TAA - Trade Adjustment Assistance • TRA - Trade Readjustment Allowance

4. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) • Reemployment Services • Training • Job Search • Relocation

5. Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) • Additional Unemployment Benefits

6. TAA Benefits Based on • Availability of Federal Funds • Renewal of Trade Act Law • Individual Eligibility

7. Reemployment Services • Job Search Assistance • Job Match • Job Openings • Career Information • Labor Market Conditions • Veteran’s Services

8. Accessing Reemployment Services • www.workinginoregon.org • Employment Department Offices • One Stop Centers • “Touchscreen” Kiosks Statewide

9. TAA Training • Remedial Training • Classroom Training • Employer Based Training • On the Job Training • Customized Training

10. TAA Training provides: • Costs that are required for all students in the same training program: • Tuition/Fees • Books • Supplies • Tools • Lodging, meals, mileage if out of area

11. Funding for Individual Training Plans Up to $12,000 for all training related costs (excludes per diem or mileage)

12. Training Plan Rules • One training plan • 104 week limit for occupational training • 130 week limit if remedial training is required • Full Time • Advance approval • 30 day prior approval limit

13. Training Plan Approval Criteria • No suitable work available • Must be job ready after training • Reasonable expectation of employment • Training available, local priority • Qualified to undertake & complete • Able to support yourself • Must be suitable & at a reasonable cost

14. Job Search Allowance • No suitable work available • Apply & be approved in advance • $1250 maximum • Time limits: • 365 days from certification or layoff date • 182 days after training completed

15. Relocation Allowance • No suitable work available • Apply & be approved in advance • $1250 Lump Sum • Verifiable job offer • Time limits: • 425 days from certification or layoff date • 182 days after training completed

16. Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) • 3 types of TRA • Strict deadlines • Must meet eligibility requirements • Based on individual

17. TRA Requirements • Be covered by a certification • Have a “qualifying” lay off of at least 7 consecutive days • Worked for affected employer • At least 26 of last 52 weeks • Earned at least $30 in each of those weeks • Be entitled to & exhausted all regular and extended unemployment benefits

18. TRA Deadlines • To collect any TRA, must be accepted by training facility & approved or be on a waiver of training by: • Last day of 16th week after the week of most recent qualifying layoff OR • Last day of 8th week after the week of certification • 45 day extension from either deadline for justifiable cause, for training only

19. Waiver of Training for TRA • If unable to meet deadlines for being approved & enrolled in training, you must contact your TAA representative and request a Waiver of Training to preserve your TRA potential!!

20. TRA Benefit Amount • TRA Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) is based on the first claim you filed after the impact date. • This first claim is your “parent” claim.

21. TRA • Three “Pots of Money” possible • TRA Basic • TRA Additional • TRA Remedial

22. TRA Basic • 26 times your TRA weekly benefit amount (minus federally funded extensions) • 104 week time limit from most recent qualifying layoff • 3 ways to collect: • In approved training • Completed training & looking for work • Waiver of Training

23. TRA Additional • Apply for training within 210 days of most recent qualifying layoff or certification date, whichever is later • 52 week eligibility period starting after your last week of TRA Basic or end of TRA 104 week eligibility period • If training starts later, 52 week eligibility period starts with 1st week of training. • Must be in approved TAA Training

24. TRA Remedial • Have exhausted all other benefits • 26 week eligibility period starting after your last week of TRA Additional or end of 52 week eligibility period • If 210 day deadline not met for TRA Additional, the 26 week period starts after last week of TRA Basic or end of 104 week eligibility period • One week of TRA remedial for one week of remedial classes

25. Maximum Potential of TRA • 104 Total Weeks of TRA Possible • 26 weeks of Basic TRA • 52 weeks of Additional TRA • 26 weeks of Remedial TRA • Based on individual eligibility

26. TRA Reminders • Cannot be paid for breaks over 30 days • Must file a new UI claim if you become eligible • May be reduced by earnings or deductible income • Taxable as income • Taxes can be withheld

27. Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) A Federal tax credit of 65% on a qualified health plan managed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

28. Who is Eligible for HCTC? • Recipients of any type of TRA • Claiming UI or extension and otherwise would be eligible for TRA • Recipients of ATAA • If eligible for any day of the month, would qualify for entire month

29. Qualified Health Plans • COBRA continuation coverage • Spousal coverage plan (no advance payment, year end only) • Individual (non-group) health coverage that began 30 days before layoff • State Qualified Coverage (not available in Oregon at this time)

30. Two ways to claim HCTC • Advance payments on monthly basis to pay for health plan premiums. IRS mails packet of information to set this up. • Claim HCTC at end of year when federal tax return is filed. IRS mails form 8885 directly to you.

31. How do I apply? • If you are eligible, your name & address will be submitted to the IRS. • The list is updated & sent nightly to IRS. • IRS mails packet with forms to you to complete and return to the IRS. • The IRS will determine if you can claim the tax credit and notify you by mail.

32. For more HCTC Information • Call the IRS Customer Contact Center at 866-628-HCTC (866-628-4282) • Go to the IRS Website at WWW.IRS.gov • Call your local TAA Representative for questions about your eligibility to be on the list that is sent to the IRS

33. Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) • Worker group determined eligible by DOL • Option for “Older” Trade Affected Workers who want to go to work not to school • Provides a wage subsidy to bridge the salary gap between old job and new one

34. ATAA Requirements • 50 years old at time of reemployment. • Job must be full time, 40 hours/week. • Obtain new job within 26 weeks of lay off from Trade Affected employer. • Not expected to earn over $50,000 per year • Cannot return to previous job

35. ATAA Wage Subsidy of up to $10,000 during 2 years of eligibility HCTC Relocation Allowance TAA Training HCTC Job Search Allowance Relocation Allowance It’s Your Choice

36. Keep in mind this presentation is a general overview of a complex program! Call the expert, your local TAA Representative, for the details and answers to your questions. Any Questions?