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Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) - Workforce Development & Adult Learning

The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) has been extended until December 31, 2020 as provided by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Employment and Training Notice number 10-19, Change 1, dated December 31, 2019.

The Trade Act of 2002 includes additional benefits for petitions filed on or after August 6, 2003 that requested and were certified for ATAA. ATAA provides assistance to eligible Trade affected workers aged 50 or older who obtain new employment that pays less than their Trade affected employment.

To qualify, the worker:

  1. Must file a TRA claim and receive an eligibility determination from the Unemployment Insurance Claim Center
  2. Must obtain full-time reemployment within 26 weeks of qualifying separation from Trade affected employment. Worker must also file an application for ATAA benefits within 2 years of the reemployment date.
  3. Must be at least 50 years of age at the time of reemployment
  4. Must be reemployed full-time as defined by the state
  5. Cannot return to work with the separating employer
  6. Cannot earn more than $50,000 in the new employment

Benefits of ATAA for qualified worker:

  1. ATAA pays 50% of the difference between the worker’s wages at time of qualifying separation and the worker’s wages from new employment.
  2. ATAA benefits may be paid until the worker has received a total of $10,000 OR a period of 2 years has passed since the first qualifying reemployment OR until the worker’s reemployment income is expected to reach the $50,000 annual limit, whichever comes first.
  3. ATAA participants may be eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).
  4. Workers who are interested in the ATAA program should take advantage of all available reemployment services with a goal of returning to work within 26 weeks of their qualifying separation from Trade affected work. Workers pursuing ATAA may be entitled to a waiver of the training requirements for TRA (prior to the 8/16 week deadline), which preserves eligibility to TRA if a job is not obtained within 26 weeks qualifying separation.
  5. Workers may be eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) while on waiver status.
  6. If a worker pursuing ATAA is not able to obtain a job within 26 weeks of qualifying separation, the worker should contact the One Stop TAA representative to consider other TAA benefit options, including training.

Impact of Choice

Workers who choose to receive ATAA payments will forfeit eligibility for TAA job search allowances, funded training, and TRA. Workers will maintain eligibility for relocation allowances and/or HCTC.

Workers who receive TAA job search allowances, funded training, or TRA will forfeit eligibility for ATAA.