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Trade Adjustment Act (TAA / TGAAA) Assistance




The Trade Adjustment Act (TAA / TGAAA) helps trade-affected workers who have lost their jobs due to increased imports or production shifted out of the United States. TAA and TGAAA program services and benefits are designed to facilitate workers getting back to work quickly.

In Illinois, the Bureau of Workforce Development External link opens in a new window of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) External link opens in a new window is designated as the agency to administer the TAA program in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Employment Security External link opens in a new window. A firm must file a TAA or Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) certification petition with a plant closure, layoff threat, or layoff.

When certified, workers apply for services and benefits at their local Illinois workNet Center. Workers should contact work centers as soon as possible. Application for services is time-sensitive. Eligibility is determined on an individual basis.

Workers should contact work centers as soon as possible. Application for services is time-sensitive. Eligibility is determined on an individual basis.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Services at Illinois workNet Centers

Based on individual eligibility, members of a TAA certified worker group may receive one or more of the following through their Illinois workNet® Center:

  • Re-employment services generally include:
    • Employment registration
    • Case assessment
    • Job development
    • Supportive services
    • Self-directed job search services
  • Job Search Allowances: for costs of a job search outside of the local area
  • Relocation Allowances: for costs of relocating to a job outside of the local area
  • Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA): up to 104* weeks of cash payments for eligible workers enrolled in full-time training
  • Transportation & Subsistence Allowances: for costs of attending training outside the local area
  • Health Insurance Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC): a tax credit covering up to 65% of an eligible participant’s monthly qualifying health insurance premium
  • Training Services: up to 104* weeks of approved training, including:
    • Classroom training
    • On-the-job training
    • Employer-based training
      • Basic or remedial education (including literacy training and English as a Second Language)

* Up to 26 additional weeks are available to workers who require remedial education.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TGAAA) Services

Based on individual eligibility, members of a TGAAA certified worker group may receive one or more of the following through their Illinois workNet® Center:
  • Re-employment services generally include
  • Multiple Case Management Services
  • Assessment and Testing
  • Job/Career Development
  • Supportive Services
  • Self-Directed Job Search Services
  • Job Search Allowances: for costs of a job search outside of the local area
  • Relocation Allowances: for costs of relocating to a job outside of the local area
  • Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA): up to 130 weeks of cash payments for eligible workers enrolled in full-time training
  • Transportation & Subsistence Allowances: for costs of attending training outside the local area
  • Health Insurance Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC): a tax credit covering up to 80% of an eligible participant’s monthly qualifying health insurance premium
  • Training Services: up to 156 weeks of approved training, including:
    • Classroom training
    • On-the-job training
    • Employer-based training
      • Basic or remedial education (including literacy training and English as a Second Language)
    • Prerequisites education

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) for Older Workers

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program benefits are provided as an alternative to the benefits offered under the TAA program. Participation in ATAA allows workers age 50 or older, for whom retraining may not be appropriate, to accept re-employment at a lower wage and receive a wage subsidy. This is in lieu of the training and income support offered under the regular TAA program.

In order to be eligible to receive ATAA benefits, an individual must:

  • Be certified as eligible to apply for both TAA and ATAA
  • Obtain reemployment within 26 weeks of layoff from the ATAA-certified employment
  • Be at least 50 at the time of reemployment
  • Not earn more than $50,000 annually in the reemployment
  • Be reemployed full time, and
  • Not return to the same employment from which he or she was separated

Workers who meet these eligibility requirements qualify for the following benefits:

  • Wage Subsidy: 50% of the difference between the worker's wages in the ATAA certified employment and a new job obtained within 26 weeks of layoff. A maximum of $10,000 is available over a period of up to two years
  • HCTC: a tax credit covering 80% of an eligible participant's monthly health insurance premium

Learn more about ATAA program benefits External link opens in a new window

Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) for Older Workers

RTAA program benefits are provided as an alternative to the benefits offered under the regular TGAAA program. Participation in the RTAA allows workers to accept reemployment at a lower wage and receive a wage subsidy.

RTAA Benefits Eligibility Requirements:

  • Available to workers 50 years of age or older
  • Does not require a separate certification of group eligibility
  • Workers may participate in TGAAA approved training
  • Requires full-time employment unless the worker is also enrolled in TGAAA approved training and employed at least 20 hours per week and doesn't set a deadline for employment
  • Not earn more than $55,000 annually in the reemployment
  • Maximum benefit of $12,000 over a period of up to two years
  • Worker is not employed by firm from which the worker was separated

Workers who meet these eligibility requirements qualify for the following benefits:

  • Wage subsidy: 50% of the difference between the worker's wages in the RTAA certified employment and a new job
  • HCTC: a tax credit covering 80% of an eligible participant's monthly health insurance premium
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Illinois workNet Centers are an equal opportunity employer/program. At Illinois workNet Centers, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY (800) 785-6055 or 711.