This resource page includes a summary of Trade Adjustment Assistance Benefits. This page is not comprehensive. It does not cover all qualifications. An eligibility review and determination is necessary to evaluate each trade-affected worker applying for benefits. Please e-mail TRA@commerce.fl.gov for more information.


Basic Trade Readjustment Allowance Eligibility 

Eligibility Overview

To qualify for BASIC TRA you must:

  • Be covered by a certified petition.
  • Be laid off due to lack of work or threatened with separation by a trade- affected employer.
  • Be laid off on or after the impact date and no later than the expiration date of the certified petition.
  • Have worked at least 26 weeks at wages of $30 or more a week with a trade- affected employer.
  1. Workers’ Compensation and active military duty may be counted toward the 26 weeks.
  2. Up to 7 weeks of authorized leave or full-time service as a representative of a labor organization in the company may be counted as a part of the 26 weeks.
  • Have been employed by the firm or subdivision of the trade-affected employer during the year prior to the week of the layoff or reduced work schedule, as approved and certified by USDOL.
  • Have applied for and been entitled to Reemployment Assistance (RA) Program benefits (formally known as the Unemployment Compensation benefits).
  • Have applied for and is entitled to TRA Benefits.
  • Be enrolled in an approved full-time training program, or have a waiver from the training requirement by the later of:
  1. The last day of the 26th week after the worker’s qualifying separation from the trade-affected employer, or
  2. The last day of the 26th week after the U.S. Secretary of Labor issues a certification covering the worker.
  • Have basic TRA benefits remaining prior to enrollment in the TAA Program while actively seeking work up to the enrolled in training deadline.
  • Completed TAA approved training with Basic TRA benefits remaining.

Additional Trade Readjustment Allowance Eligibility  

To qualify for ADDITIONAL TRA you must:

  • Have exhausted Basic TRA Benefits and
  • Actively participating in TAA-approved full-time training.

 


Completion Trade Readjustment Allowance Eligibility 

To qualify for COMPLETION TRA you must:

  • Have exhausted Basic and Additional TRA benefits and meet all of the following criteria:
  1. The requested weeks are necessary for the worker to complete a training program that leads to completion of a degree or industry-recognized credential, as described in TEGL No. 15-10.
  2. The worker is participating in training in each such week.
  3. The worker has substantially met the performance benchmarks established in the approved training plan.

     

  4. The worker is expected to continue to make progress toward the completion of the approved training.
  5. The worker will be able to complete the training during the period authorized for the receipt of Completion TRA.

 

Note: Completion TRA can only be drawn up to 13 weeks within a 20-week time period from the scheduled training completion date.

Trade Readjustment Allowance Benefits Periods Schedule 


Reemployment Assistance Program benefits up to 12 weeks (maximum)
Basic TRA Benefits up to 40 weeks (maximum)
Additional TRA Benefits up to 65 weeks (maximum)
Completion TRA (if approved) up to 13 weeks (maximum)
Total   130 weeks

*If Completion TRA is not approved, the maximum TRA benefit period will not exceed 117 weeks.

Note: If a worker qualifies for TRA, the weekly benefit amount will generally be the same as the RA benefit amount. If the individual is working while participating in full-time training, earnings that are equal to or less than the most recent weekly benefit amount will not be deducted from the TRA amount.


 

Health Coverage Tax Credit Eligibility

The HCTC program was not extended by Congress and expired on December 31, 2021. The program is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Information can be obtained online at www.IRS.gov/HCTC or use the HCTC toll free number: 1-844-853-7210.

Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance Eligibility

Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) is available to trade-affected workers and provides a wage subsidy to help bridge the salary gap between their former and new employment.

Initial Eligibility Criteria for Worker:

  • Must be covered by an approved petition.
  • Must be age 50 or become age eligible during reemployment.
  • Reemployment earnings must be less than the wages earned from the trade- affected employer.
  • Total gross reemployment earnings cannot exceed $50,000 annually (excluding overtime pay).
  • If working full-time, must be employed at least 32 hours per week.
  • If attending full-time approved training, must be employed 20 hours per week.
  • Cannot be employed at the firm from which the worker was separated, unless the petition’s certification covers a specific division(s) and the new employment is not within a covered division.
  • Must establish a Florida RA claim.

Continuing  Eligibility Criteria for Worker:

  • Provide verification of earnings. Verification must include hours worked and wages. Payment will not be released until proof of earnings and hours worked has been submitted to the Trade Program Unit.
  • Continue to work at least 32 hours or more per week.
  • Participants who are working at least 20 hours per week and participating in TAA-approved full-time training, must continue providing proof of wages, hours worked and verification of participation in training.

Contacts

  •  
    State Trade Program and Rapid Response Office
     

The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) - Congress allowed the HCTC program to expire on December 31, 2021. For more information, visit the IRS webpage at https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/hctc.

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