US Department of Labor certifies approximately 5,500 workers in 13 states as eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 5,500 workers from companies in 13 states – California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

"Helping workers who are impacted by trade secure permanent jobs that pay family supporting wages is good for the economy and the right thing to do," 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.

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