Contact Us
- TRA: (608) 267-7772
Fax (414) 393-6825
E-mail tra@dwd.wi.gov - TAA: (888) 258-9966
Trade Program
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA)
Application Process
| ELIGIBILITY: In order to be eligible for the Trade Program you must be a worker who lost their job at a company certified by the Department of Labor as a Trade affected employer. In order to find out if your company was certified you can go to the Department of Labor website and enter your company’s name. Please contact the TRA Assistance Line for application information at (608) 267-7772. |
Process Overview
- Workers lose their jobs due to the impact of foreign trade.
- A petition is filed with the Department of Labor (DOL) by a company or employer, a group of three or more workers, their union, or another authorized representative.
- If requirements under the Trade Act are met, DOL will certify petition.
- After a company's petition is certified, DWD receives a list of affected workers.
- DWD contacts affected workers within a few weeks:
- For employers with 25 or more affected workers:
Workers will be invited to attend an intake session, receive an application packet and fill out forms at session. - For employers with less than 25 affected workers:
Workers will be mailed an application packet and may receive an invitation to a small group intake presentation.
- For employers with 25 or more affected workers:
- Workers need to file individual TAA/TRA applications to determine eligibility for services and benefits.
For more information about the petition process visit the Department of Labor website.
How to Apply
- If you have not already filed application forms at a group intake meeting or through the mail, please contact the TRA Assistance Line to request an application packet at (608) 267-7772.
- Contact the TRA Assistance Line for assistance in filling out application forms at (608) 267-7772.
- REMINDER: In order to be eligible for the Trade program you must be a worker who lost their job at a company certified by the Department of Labor as a Trade affected location.
After You Apply
- After you have applied for the Trade Program, the DWD Unemployment Insurance Division will process your application to determine if you are eligible.
- This may take up to 4-6 weeks.
- If you are already working with a case manager, continue to work with them to develop your reemployment plan.
- I've applied, what's next? Now you need to be aware of certain deadlines and other important next steps for you to take.