Number: RS22718
Title: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for Older Workers (ATAA)
Authors: John J. Topoleski, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) provides assistance to qualifying workers who lose their jobs directly due to increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States. Certified workers whose unemployment compensation has ended and who are in approved training may receive Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) for a maximum of 130 weeks. Some workers age 50 or older are eligible to receive Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for Older Workers (ATAA), a wage supplement in lieu of training and TRA benefits. Both TAA- and ATAA-eligible workers can receive a Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), which provides a refundable tax credit to offset 65% of the health insurance premiums of TAA- and ATAA-eligible workers. This report provides background on the programs, including a description of the eligibility for these programs and benefits available to participants. A separate report considers reauthorization issues and describes related legislation in the 110th Congress.
Pages: 6
Date: October 1, 2008