TAA

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program is federally funded and was created to assist workers dislocated due to foreign imports or the transfer of production to Mexico or Canada. The program offers great benefits including money for retraining, and reimbursement of job search and relocation expenses. It also provides monetary benefits, also known as TRA, for those who enroll in TAA approved training.

Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) - Special income benefits are available to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of trade imports from other countries.

To find petitions in NM search by location and select New Mexico at http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/determinations.cfm

TAA Brochure (English) (Spanish)

• If you were laid-off from any of the companies listed here, you may be eligible to have your training paid for in full.

• TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance)

  Enacted in 1974 to assist workers dislocated due to foreign imports. Either a company official, union representative, the state Rapid Response Coordinator, or three affected workers may apply for a certification from the US Department of Labor to obtain eligibility for affected workers.

• NAFTA-TAA (North American Free Trade Agreement)

  The NAFTA-TAA program was repealed and is now included in the Trade Act of 1974 as ammended on November 4, 2002. Any NAFTA petitions approved prior to November 4, 2002 are handled under the NAFTA rules and regulations. Petitions filed after November 4, 2002 fall under the Trade Act regulations of 1974 as amended.

  Any petition for Trade Act benefits after November 4, 2002 must use the current petition document which incorporates both the Trade Act of 1974 and the NAFTA-TAA programs.

Job Search Allowance - you must apply within 365 days of your separation or certification date, whichever is later, or 182 days after the successful completion of TAA approved training. Other requirements include:

• Must submit timely application and have prior approval from TAA Representative.
• Must have at least one bona fide job interview scheduled.
• No reasonable expectation of employment in immediate commuting area.

• Meals
• Gasoline
• Lodging
• Groceries
• Airline Tickets
• Toll Road Fees
• Parking Fees
• Rental Car
• Misc.

MUST PRESENT ORIGINAL RECEIPTS.

Maximum Reimbursement for all job search activities is $800.00. For TAA petitions approved after November 4, 2002 the maximum reinbursement is $1250.00.

Relocation Allowance - Application must be made within 425 days after day of layoff or certification date, whichever is later, or 182 after the successful completion of TAA approved training. Other requirements include:

• Must have a bona fide offer of employment and file a timely application.
• Must be totally seperated from adversely affected employment.
• Must relocate within the US.
• Make request prior to starting move.

• Meals
• Toll Road Fees
• Parking Fees
• Gasoline
• Lodging
• Rental Car
• Groceries
• Airline Tickets
• Misc.

MUST PRESENT ORIGINAL RECEIPTS.

If a commercial mover is used, maximum weight covered is 18,000 lbs. Maximum for insurance of household goods is $50.00. Temporary storage is allowed but cannot exceed 60 days. House trailers can be moved. Costs covered include Commercial Carrier charges and unblocking.

The lump sum payment is equal to three times the individual's average weekly wage from affected employment not to exceed $800.00, to be paid when the move is completed. The lump sum amount for petitions approved after November 4, 2002 is $1250.00.

• (For TAA petitions approved prior to November 4, 2002 only) Must make a request for training within 210 days of separation or certification date, whichever is later, to receive additional TRA benefits. Other requirements include:
  1. Must not be suitable employment available in the area.
  2. Worker would benefit from appropriate training.
  3. Reasonable expectation of employment following completion of such training.
  4. Training is reasonably available from either governmental agencies or private sources.
  5. The worker is qualified to undertake such training.
  Covered - All required book fees, tuition and supplies will be paid. If school is more than 50 miles one way, the lesser of either mileage or per diem will be paid. Training must be available at a reasonable cost. Training must be full-time, not to exceed 104 weeks. Participant must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Applicant must be tested for aptitude capabilities.
• (For TAA petitions approved after November 4, 2002) Must make a request for training within 16 weeks after the applicant's last day of TAA certified employment or the 8th week after the TAA petition was certified, whichever is later. This requirement is to receive TRA benefits. Other requirements include:
  1. Must not be suitable employment available in the area.
  2. Worker would benefit from appropriate training.
  3. Reasonable expectation of employment following completion of such training.
  4. Training is reasonably available from either governmental agencies or private sources.
  5. The worker is qualified to undertake such training.
  Covered - All required book fees, tuition and supplies will be paid. If school is more than 50 miles one way, the lesser of either mileage or per diem will be paid. Training must be available at a reasonable cost. Training must be full-time, not to exceed 130 weeks. (To receive 130 weeks of TAA approved training, the participant must have enrolled in remedial classes. The local TAA representative will determine if remedial classes are required.) Participant must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Applicant must be tested for aptitude capabilities. Additions to the Trade Act of 1974 due to the November 4th, 2002 amendments are as follows:
  • Health Insurance Tax Credit - TAA eligible workers who are eligible to receive TRA benefits and have paid health insurance premiums for an eligible month, may be certified to receive a tax credit of 65% of the premium paid for that tax year. Persons wishing to receive this credit must report to their local TAA representative with proof of payment for health insurance to receive certification for that month. (Only approved health insurance providers qualify. Your local TAA representative will have a list of the certified health insurance providers in New Mexico.)
    
    
  • Secondary Workers - Under the new changes, employers who provide upstream components directly to the TAA certified employer that are found in the final product and downstream employers whose final assembly or finishing of the TAA certified employer's products are eligible for TAA certification. Secondary employers must submit a TAA petition to USDOL for investigation. If approved and certified under TAA, the laid off workers for the secondary employer are eligible for the same TAA benefits.
    
    
  • Alternative TAA - Older Worker Benefit - This benefit is for workers of a TAA certified employer who had a significant number of workers over 50 years of age and whose workers possess skills that are not easily transferable. The employer must apply for these benefits at the time the petition is submitted. If a TAA certified worker decides to take advantage of these benefits, he/she can receive 50% of the difference between the wages the worker receives from reemployment and the wages received by the worker at separation from the TAA certified employer. The total of all payments may not exceed $10,000.00 over a two-year period paid out on a weekly basis. Election of these benefit voids out any TAA approved training and TRA benefits. The health insurance tax credit is available to those who elect this benefit.
  TRA (Trade Readjustment Allowance) - May be eligible for up to 52 weeks of cash payment if 210 day deadline is met. Works hand in hand with TAA training component. Applicant must be in approved training unless requirement is waived. Must be entitled to regular unemployment insurance benefits. Must apply within 210 days of layoff or certification date, whichever is later. Once TRA and TAA applications are approved, work search requirement is waived. TRA payments will not be made after completion of training contract. No TRA payments will be made during scheduled school breaks over 14 days. Participants may be eligible for a maximum of 104 weeks of TRA benefits. To qualify for these benefits, the participant must file for TAA approved training within the  16 & 8requirement as stated above.
  
  Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (English) (Spanish) A petition may be filed by a group of three or more workers in a firm or by their union or by the employer. The  NAFTA-TAA petition for New Mexico groups should be mailed to
  New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
  Attn: Supervisor, FSB cc#1075
  P.O. Box 1928 
  Albuquerque, NM 87103 
  Fax: (505) 841-8467
  
  If you need help filling out the petitions or want more information on the TAA Program, contact your local New Mexico Workforce Connection Center or call 505-841-8715