Assistance Listings

Trade Adjustment Assistance

Objectives

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Workers Program is a federal entitlement program that assists workers impacted by foreign trade. Through the provision of a number of employment-related benefits and services, the TAA Program provides trade-affected workers with opportunities to obtain the support, resources, skills, and credentials they need to return to the workforce in a good job in an in-demand industry. TAA Program services include: training, employment and case management services, job search allowances, relocation allowances, wage supplements for workers aged 50 and older, and income support in the form of Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA).

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance Listing Description

The most recent amendments to the Trade Act of 1974 is contained in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015 (TAARA 2015) (Pub. L. 114-27). Language in TAARA 2015, at Section 406, resulted in the TAA Program entering a phased termination on July 1, 2022. Termination followed a one-year period from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, known as Reversion 2021, which limited group eligibility, reduced program funding, and restricted benefits available to workers. Program termination means the Department no longer certifies petitions for TAA after June 30, 2022; however, under this provision, states must continue to provide individual workers access to the benefits and services available under the TAA Program to worker covered under certifications issued on or before June 30, 2022. The Administration and the Department are committed to working with Congress to reauthorize TAA.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

TAA Program financial information is published yearly in the Report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, which can be found on the program website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact/reports. Additional information is posted on the TAA website at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact

Accomplishments

Account Identification

16-0326-0-1-999-Trade Act of 1974, as amended, Title II; 19 U.S.C. 2101, 2271 et seq. 17.245 16-0326-0-1-999 Target Group: Trade Affected Workers

Types of Assistance

A - Formula Grants

Credentials and Documentation

State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) or agencies designated by Governors as “Cooperating State Agencies” (CSAs) (which DOL jointly referred to as “States,” “Recipients,” “Grantees,” “Applicants,”) may apply to receive Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Training and Other Activities (TaOA) funding from the Department. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

Under Section 239 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, each state, as an agent of the Department, carry out the activities of the TAA Program. States receive worker applications and provide benefits and services to eligible workers certified to receive TAA Program benefits. Each state provides these services through one or more state agencies, one of which is designated as the CSA in an agreement between the state’s Governor and the U.S. Secretary of Labor (Secretary); this agreement is known as the Governor-Secretary Agreement. The Governor-Secretary Agreement explains program requirements, limitations on the use of TAA Program funds, and other important grant provisions, including the TAA Program Annual Funding Agreement (AFA), that states must comply with in order to access TAA Program funding. There are also Standard Terms and Conditions applied to every grant issued by the Employment and Training Administration. Employment/Labor/Management, Business/Commerce, Training, Vocational Education/State Workforce Agency/American Job Centers/Workforce Boards/

Beneficiary Eligibility

Once a member of a worker group is covered by a certification for eligibility to apply for TAA, the workers individually apply for benefits and services through the American Job Centers. TAA benefits and services have specific individual eligibility criteria that must be met, such as previous work history, unemployment insurance eligibility, and individual skill levels. The TAA Program currently offers the following benefits and services to eligible individuals: training, weekly income support in the form of TRA, out-of-area job search and relocation allowances, employment and case management services, and a wage supplement for qualified older workers through A/RTAA. Trade Affected Workers/Dislocated Workers/Individual/Family/Unemployed

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds under the 17.245 classification are available for expenditure for three fiscal years (i.e., funds awarded in FY 2024 are available for FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026). The expenditure period for funds provided under 17.225 for TRA, ATAA, and RTAA is one fiscal year. States may refer to TAA Program Annual Funding Agreement and Notice of Award for additional information on the expenditure period for training funds and the UI Annual Funding Agreements for additional information on TRA, ATAA, and RTAA expenditure periods. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum

Use of Assistance

State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) serve as agents of the United States and administer the worker adjustment assistance benefit provisions of the Trade Act. SWAs, through their American Job Centers (AJC), formerly known as One-Stop Career Centers or by a different name in each state, and other local offices, provide assessments, employment counseling, and job placement services; job search and relocation assistance; and training. The weekly income support payments and wage supplements of TRA and A/RTAA, respectively, are administered under the Unemployment Insurance program (see CFDA 17.225). State unemployment compensation and extended benefits must be exhausted

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

N/A

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.

Award Procedure

TAA is a mandatory entitlement and states execute agreements with between their State Governor and the Secretary of Labor to carry out the program. Awards are non-competitive.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 30 to 60 days.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

From 30 to 60 days.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

TAA Program funding and financial requirements are provided in the Regulations at 20 CFR part 618 and in annual guidance the department issues for ach FY Access https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact/law/regulations for the regulations and https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact/law/directives for FY program guidance pertaining to the FY TaOA allocations.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: