Trade Adjustment benefits set to revert to 2002 levels

The federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program is slated to revert to less generous provisions.

Employers who have had to lay off workers because of international competition have until Feb. 14 to file applications under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enhancements set to expire. The program offers training and payments to displaced workers.

Service and goods-producing businesses qualified under Recovery and Reinvestment Act provisions, but only businesses producing tangible goods qualify after Feb. 14. Assistance levels will be cut to 2002 levels after Feb. 14.

Idaho Department of Labor spokesman Bob Fick said nearly 1,600 workers in Idaho have participated since March 2009, and 561 are in training now. Filings are free. Most filings are by employers, but state labor officials and groups of three or more employees also can file.

The U.S. Department of Labor lists Idaho employers that petitioned to participate in the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

Reinvestment and Recovery Act enhancements include up to 130 weeks of cash payments for workers enrolled in full-time training, and up to 156 weeks of payments if the worker is enrolled in remedial or prerequisite training. These totals are slated to drop to 104 and 130 weeks, respectively.

Allowance for job searches and relocation will be reduced and program enrollment deadlines will tighten when the program reverts to 2002 provisions.

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