U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D. C. 20210

CLASSIFICATION

OWS

CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL

 

ISSUE DATE

June 30, 2000

RESCISSIONS

None

EXPIRATION DATE

June 30, 2001

DIRECTIVE

:

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 31-00
 

TO

:

ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
 

FROM

:

GRACE A. KILBANE
Administrator
Office of Workforce Security
 

SUBJECT

:

Technical Assistance Guides for the Payment of Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA)

  1. Purpose. To transmit two (2) technical assistance guides to assist State appeals staff with decisions relating to the payment of TRA to adversely affected workers under the regular Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program and the North America Free Trade Agreement - Transitional Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA-TAA) program. The first guide covers the regular TAA program, and the companion guide covers the NAFTA-TAA program.

  2. Reference Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2271-2322, as amended; TAA program regulations at 20 CFR Part 617. General Administration Letter (GAL) No, 7-94 and Change 1 and Change 2; and Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 7-93 and Change 1 and Change 2.

  3. Background. The Office of Workforce Security has oversight responsibility of the State and Federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs. The States have a wide latitude to operate State UI programs. However, States have less latitude with respect to Federal UI programs. Because appeals of Federal UI programs are a small part of the appeals filed in the States, State appeals staff may not be as familiar with the requirements of Federal law, regulations and directives. For that reason, the two technical assistance guides were developed. The guides should be useful for State appeals staff in deciding Federal UI cases under the regular TAA and NAFTA-TAA programs.

  4. Action Required. State agencies are requested to provide copies of the two attached technical assistance guides to State appeals staff as well as Federal UI programs staff.

  5. Inquiries. Please direct all inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.

  6. Attachments. 

    1)  Trade Adjustment Assistance Appeals Technical Assistance Guide

    2)  North America Free Trade Agreement-Transitional Adjustment Assistance Appeals Technical Assistance Guide