Trade Readjustment Allowances

Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) are a form of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) that is paid to an eligible adversely affected worker on a weekly basis after he/she exhausts entitlement to regular unemployment compensation, including state and federal extensions.

There are three types of TRA paid to adversely affected workers - Basic, Additional and Remedial or Completion TRA.

Basic TRA is generally paid for a total of 27 weeks as workers are allowed to receive a total of 52 weeks minus their maximum entitlement to regular unemployment insurance on the parent unemployment insurance claim. Basic TRA benefits may be reduced by the amount of Emergency Unemployment or Extended Benefits received. Payment of Basic TRA occurs during a 104-week eligibility period to adversely affected workers who have exhausted their entitlement to regular unemployment insurance benefits, including extended benefits.

Additional TRA provides additional weeks of TRA payments if participating in TAA approved training. However, the amount of additional weeks to be paid will vary based on TRA amendments from 2002, 2009 and 2011.

• For Petitions below 70,000 and (certain 80,000 - 80,999*) participants may receive up to an additional 52 consecutive weeks after the exhaustion of Basic TRA or after the period for Basic TRA eligibility would have ended in which UI was received.
• For Petitions 70,000 through 79,999 participants may receive up to an additional 78 weeks in the 91 week period after the exhaustion of Basic TRA or after the period for Basic TRA eligibility would have ended in which UI was received.
• For Petitions 81,000 and above and (certain 80,000 - 80,999*) participants may receive up to an additional 65 weeks in the 78 week period after the exhaustion of Basic TRA after the period for Basic TRA eligibility would have ended in which UI was received.

Remedial TRA (petitions less than 80,000) provides up to 26 weeks while actively participating in TAA-approved training if the worker's training program includes remedial education.

Completion TRA (available for certain petitions 80,000 +) provides up to 13 more weeks of TRA in order to complete a training plan only if participating in TAA-approved training and Basic and Additional TRA have exhausted. You may qualify for up to 13 weeks of Completion TRA where all of the following five additional criteria are met:

1. The requested weeks are necessary for you to complete a training program that leads to completion of a degree or industry-recognized credential; and 2. You are participating in training in each such week; and
2. You are participating in training in each such week; and
3. You have substantially met the performance benchmarks established in your approved training plan (you have maintained satisfactory academic standing and are scheduled to complete training within your training plan's specified timeframe); and
4. You are expected to continue to make progress toward the completion of the approved training; and
5. You will be able to complete the training during the period authorized for receipt of Completion TRA.

Qualifying Requirements for TRA Benefits

If you qualify, the weekly amount of your TRA will generally be the same amount of the regular UI benefit you received. Any earnings or other income you receive will reduce your TRA benefits in the same manner as it did on your regular UI claim. Your TRA will also be reduced by the amount of any other Federal Training Allowance you are entitled to for the same week, except a Pell Grant.

For Petitions below 70,000 and (certain 80,000 - 80,999*):
To qualify you must be:

• Enrolled in training 8 weeks after certification or 16 weeks after layoff, whichever is later or
• Have completed a training program approved by TAA, or
• Have a waiver of the training requirement

For Petitions 70,000 through 79,999 (certain 80,000 - 80,999*) and 81,000 +
To qualify you must be:

• Enrolled in training 26 weeks after certification or layoff, whichever is later or
• Have completed a training program approved by TAA, or
• Have a waiver of the training requirement

Also:

• If enrolled in full-time approved training and working part-time you are allowed to earn up to your weekly benefit amount before a deduction is made for earnings.
• Election of TRA or UI. You will be allowed to elect to receive TRA instead of UI for any week where you meet two conditions:
  • You are entitled to receive UI as a result of a new benefit year based in whole or part upon part-time or short-term employment in which you earned after your most recent total separation from the adversely affected employment.
    
    And;
  • You are otherwise entitled to TRA.

HCTC:

The Trade Act provides for a federal tax credit of 72.5% of the health plan premium for TAA eligible individuals enrolled in qualified health plans. To qualify for the credit, individuals must be receiving TRA or would be eligible to receive TRA except that their unemployment insurance (UI) benefits have not yet exhausted or ended and must be participating in a qualified health plan.

For more information on HCTC, visit the Web at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/The-Health-Coverage-Tax-Credit-(HCTC)-Program or call the HCTC Customer Contact Center toll-free 1-866-628-HCTC (1-866-628-4282).

For information on enrolling in a state qualified health plan, contact Arkansas' Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (administered by Blue Advantage Administrators of Arkansas).

Customer Service: 1-800-285-6477 Website: Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool