Applications for the Trade Act Programs have two distinct phases:
To obtain TAA/ATAA reemployment services and benefits, a petition must be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance (OTAA) requesting certification for workers adversely affected by foreign trade. Note that the TAA petition form includes a question that allows workers to apply for ATAA. If the worker group meets the necessary group eligibility criteria, a certification will be issued.
After a group certification is issued, each worker in the group may then apply for individual services and benefits through their local One-Stop Employment Center to determine individual TAA eligibility and ATAA eligibility for services and benefits.
Who may file a petition - A petition may be filed by:
A group of 3 or more workers
A union or duly authorized representative
A company official
A state workforce office (the Department of Workforce Services)
The workers on whose behalf a petition is filed must be, or have been, employed at the firm or subdivision identified in the petition.
Assistance in preparing a petition - You may request assistance in preparing the petition by contacting the State Dislocated Worker Unit.
Submitting a Petition - Once completed, petitions must be signed. Petitions filed by a group of adversely affected workers must be signed by at least three workers; petitions filed by any other authorized representatives require only one signature. Once signed, petitions must be filed with the OTAA and the State Dislocated Unit relevant to the worker group's plant location.
Who is covered by the petition - A completed petition describes a group of workers working at a specific location, for a specific company, producing a specific product or group of products. If the group of workers described in the petition is certified, the certification will cover all workers in the group, whether or not their names are on the petition.
Properly Completing a TAA/ATAA Petition Form - TAA petitions must be properly completed and filed with the appropriate state and federal offices. After the petition is completed, it must be filed with both the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the State Dislocated Worker Unit (DWU). Refer to the information below for mailing addresses and fax numbers to use in filing TAA petitions.
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C-5311
Washington, DC 20210
Phone - 202-693-3560
Fax - 202-693-3584, 3585
State Dislocated Worker Unit
140 East 300 South, 5th Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone (801) 526-4312
Fax (801) 526-9662
Decisions on TAA and ATAA Petitions - Generally, 40 days after receiving a TAA petition, a final determination will be issued on whether or not the eligibility requirements have been met. See the link at the bottom of this page to check on Petition Determinations.
Who is covered by the certification - Generally, the certification covers all members of the worker group who are laid off during the three-year period beginning one year before the petition was filed and ending two years after the date of the certification. Each certification specifies the beginning and ending dates.
Notification of Certification or Denial - If the petition is certified, the state will notify the individual workers in the group. Workers who are certified may then apply for individual reemployment services and benefits under TAA that will help them obtain suitable employment. Workers applying for ATAA must also meet individual criteria in order to access benefits under that program. Certified workers apply for individual services and benefits through a local One-Stop Employment Center.
To file a petition electronically, click on the link below: https://www.etareports.doleta.gov/petition/index.cfm
Click on the links below for electronic versions of the TAA Petition forms.
TAA Petition Form - English
TAA Petition Form - Spanish
Click on link to check on Petition Determinations (http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/taa/taa_search_form.cfm)
For additional information, visit the Department of Labor website at: http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/petitions.cfm