Federal/Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

On July 1, 2022, the termination provision under Section 285(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, took effect. Until further notice, the Department may not issue any determinations and may not accept any new petitions or requests for reconsideration.  Requests to amend current certifications may still be filed.  Workers who were certified and separated from their job on or before June 30, 2022, may still be eligible for benefits and services and should contact their nearest American Jobs Center.  See TEGL 13-21 for more details.

If your company has experienced a threat of job loss or layoffs due to foreign trade, the U.S. Department of Labor is recommending for petitions to continue to be filed. Once filed, the petition will be placed on the “held” list to show the continued need to the legislative representatives for Trade reauthorization and to expedite the offering of services as quickly as possible to affected workers if reauthorization occurs. For additional information email Tradeprogram@ky.gov​.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program is a federal program that assists workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States. This program provides adversely affected workers with opportunities to obtain the skills, credentials, resources and support necessary to become re-employed. If a Trade petition is certified, each adversely affected worker in the group must apply for individual benefits and services through his or her local Kentucky Career Center office to determine individual eligibility for re-employment services and benefits.

Rapid Response Services

The federal government provides additional services to workers whose jobs are lost due to foreign trade or shifts in production out of the United States. While not all job loss due to foreign competition meets the requirements of the Trade Act, the Rapid Response team will work with your company to provide information on Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and the benefits you can receive if your company is certified as trade-affected. Your company, the Rapid Response team, or the workers themselves can file a trade petition with the United States Department of Labor.

TAA and its benefits are provided at no cost to you as an employer and allow your workers to access an even wider array of services than they would otherwise be eligible for. Ask your Rapid Response contact for more information on TAA and the petition process.

Are you considering a Layoff or Downsizing? The Office of Employment and Training's Division of Workforce and Employment Services Rapid Response Team is a free onsite early intervention service offered to businesses and workers affected by layoffs and plant closings.

Trade Petition Process

The first step to receiving TAA benefits and services is to file a petition online or by mail with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Petitions are available online, by downloadable form ​(available in English and Spanish), or may be obtained from a local Kentucky Career Center office. 

A Petition may be filed by:

Filing a petition is typically done in conjunction with immediate rapid response and basic adjustment services to workers. Rapid reemployment is the goal.

After the investigation, which may take up to 40 days to complete, DOL determines group eligibility to apply for TAA benefits and services. Workers in a certified group will be notified by a Kentucky Career Center, at which time they may apply for individual eligibility for benefits and services.

Based on individual eligibility, members of a certified trade petition may receive one or more of the following reemployment trade services available at any Kentucky Career Center office:

Training (TAA): TAA training helps trade-impacted workers obtain the skills necessary to gain suitable employment. TAA will pay all tuition, course fees, books and required supplies and equipment and other items or services deemed necessary for the completion of an approved occupational skills training program.

Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA): Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) is a weekly income support payment that is available to trade-impacted workers who are enrolled in a full-time, TAA-approved training program or who have received a Waiver of Training and are actively seeking employment.

The amount of money participants receive through TRA is generally the same as the unemployment insurance benefits they previously received. In this way, TRA benefits act like an extended income support after a participant has exhausted their unemployment benefits.

Trade Act Programs Contact Information

U.S. Department of Labor

Employment and Training Administration - Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance, Room N-5428

200 Constitution Ave., N.W.

Washington, DC 20210

Phone: 202-693-3560 or 1-888-DOL-OTAA (1-888-365-6822),

Fax: 202-693-3584 or 3585

Website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact

Kentucky Trade Team​