2. DET-APPS
3. TAA Policy Manual
4. Chapter 7) Benefits Overview
5. 7.1 TAA Benefits Overview



TAA Policy Manual
Ch. 7) TAA Benefits Overview

7.1 Benefits Overview

Table of Contents 

7.1 TAA Benefits Overview

Effective August 1, 2021

TAA offers a variety of benefits and services to workers who have lost their jobs due to the impacts of foreign trade. TAA provides trade-affected workers with opportunities to develop in-demand skills and make it easier to gain suitable employment. Each benefit has specific eligibility criteria, outlined in subsequent sections of this manual, that must be met to receive the benefit. TAA benefits include:

• Employment & Case Management¹: A variety of career development services that may be provided directly by TAA Career Planners, or in partnership with other one-stop delivery system programs through a co-enrollment process.
• Out-of-Area Job Search Allowances²: With prior approval TAA participants may be reimbursed for expenses to attend job interviews, take tests and attend referral appointments for work located outside of the participant's normal commuting distance.
• Relocation Allowance³: TAA may fund moving expenses for TAA participants who successfully find suitable employment located outside of their normal commuting distance.
• Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA )⁴: RTAA is an age-dependent cash benefit that pays a TAA participant who is age 50 or older 50% of the difference between what they earned in their trade-affected job and what they earn in a new job. This subsidy is paid for two years, or up to $10,000, whichever comes first.
• Training Services & Supplemental Assistance⁵: TAA-funded training is available to eligible TAA participants to update or gain new skills to better compete in today's job market. This includes coverage of tuition, fees, textbooks, materials, and other supplies required for participation in training. Participants who travel outside of their normal commuting distance to attend training may also be eligible for transportation reimbursement and other subsistence payments.
• Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA)⁶: TRA is an extension of unemployment insurance that provides a weekly allowance for living expenses for TAA participants engaged in full-time training. This benefit is time limited and eligibility deadlines apply. Three tiers of TRA (Basic, Additional and Completion) may be available depending on the circumstances of each individual's case.
• Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)⁷: This benefit provides a tax credit, paid monthly or annually, to offset the increased costs of health insurance due to the loss of employer-paid health insurance previously available through the trade-impacted employer. This benefit is administered directly by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

7.1.2 Right to Apply

Anyone determined to be TAA-eligible who wants to apply for any TAA benefit must be allowed to apply and receive an eligibility determination for that benefit.⁸ DWD is required to:

1. make prompt determinations regarding eligibility;⁹
2. provide notice of the determination to the individual;¹⁰ and
3. provide notice of the individual's right to appeal if they do not agree with the determination.¹¹

Official determinations regarding benefit eligibility will be made jointly with DWD's Division of Unemployment Insurance (DWD-UI) and written notification of the determination and the participant's rights to appeal will be issued by DWD-UI.

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• ¹ 20 CFR Part 618, Subpart C
• ² 20 CFR Part 618, Subpart D
• ³ 20 CFR Part 618, Subpart D
• ⁴ 20 CFR Part 618, Subpart E
• ⁵ 20 CFR Part 618, Subpart F
• ⁶ 20 CFR Part 618, Subpart G
• ⁷ 20 CFR 618.110
• ⁸ 20 CFR 618.844
• ⁹ 20 CFR 618.820(b)
• ¹⁰ 20 CFR 618.820(e)
• ¹¹ 20 CFR 618.828