US Department of Labor certifies approximately 3,400 workers in 11 states as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 3,400 workers from companies in 11 states – Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Virginia – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

"Helping workers who are impacted by trade, and ensuring they are better positioned to secure permanent jobs that will bring them family-supporting wages, is an important part of keeping the nation's economic recovery on track," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Trade Adjustment Assistance will allow these workers to access the employment and training services they need to prepare for good jobs in promising industries."

Workers covered by these latest TAA certifications will be contacted by their respective states with instructions on how to apply for individual benefits and services. Those who apply may receive case management and re-employment services, training in new occupational skills and trade readjustment allowances that provide income support for workers enrolled in training. Some workers may also receive job search and relocation allowances, and the Health Coverage Tax Credit.

"President Obama and this entire administration are committed to a coordinated federal response that will soften the blow of the current downturn and speed economic recovery for the Pontiac and other Michigan communities affected by auto industry restructuring and other mass industrial layoffs," said Dr. Ed Montgomery, executive director of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers. "Trade Adjustment Assistance is just one tool the federal government is using to help workers during these tough times. Today's TAA certifications can provide hundreds of Pontiac workers and families with much needed income support, access to health care, job training and other assistance as they transition to new jobs in other sectors of the economy."

While TAA is open to eligible workers of all ages, workers 50 years of age and older may elect to receive Re-employment Trade Adjustment Assistance instead. If a worker obtains new employment at wages less than $55,000 and less than those earned in adversely affected employment, the RTAA program will pay 50 percent of the difference between the old wage and the new wage, up to $12,000 over a two-year period. RTAA participants may also be eligible for retraining and the HCTC.

For more information on TAA and the range of Department of Labor employment and training services, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

Editor's Note: A chart reflecting companies covered by these certifications follows this news release.

TAA Certifications