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Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) - 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 Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act (TAARA) of 2015, authorizes the operation of the 2015 Trade Act Program and the continuation of the 2002 Program, the 2009 Program and the 2011 Program. These programs includes additional benefits for Older Workers laid off from employers with approved petitions. RTAA is a wage supplement that pays up to 50% of the difference to eligible Trade-affected workers aged 50 or older who obtain new employment that pays less than their Trade-affected employment.

Qualified Worker:

  1. Must file a TRA claim and receive an eligibility determination from the Reemployment and Trade Unit. To file a TRA claim, please call 410-767-2630.
  2. Must be at least 50 years of age at the time of reemployment.
  3. Must be reemployed full-time as defined by the state or be reemployed part-time (more than 20 hours per week) and be in full-time TAA approved training.
  4. Cannot return to employment at the firm from which the worker was separated.
  5. Cannot earn more than $50,000 in the new employment.

RTAA Benefits:

  1. RTAA pays up to 50% of the difference between the worker's wages at time of qualifying separation and the worker's wages from new employment.
  2. RTAA benefits may be paid until the worker has received a total of $10,000 OR the eligibility period has expired OR until the worker's reemployment income is expected to reach the $50,000 annual limit, whichever comes first.
  3. RTAA participants may be eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).

RTAA Eligibility Period:

  1. Workers who HAVE NOT received TRA HAVE a 2-year period starting at the earlier of:
    1. The date on which the worker exhausts all right to unemployment insurance based on separation from the TAA-approved employer, or
    2. Reemployment
  2. Workers who HAVE received TRA HAVE a 2-year period beginning with the date of reemployment, reduced by the number of weeks the worker received TRA.