Workforce Development - Important Notice To TAA/NAFTA-TAA Trainees

In order to ensure prompt and proper payment of basic and/or additional weeks of Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA), the following information is given.

Basic Weeks
Additional Weeks
Remedial Weeks
Form 858A & Instructions
Form 858B & Instructions
TRA Payment Unit Address

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Basic Weeks (26 weeks maximum):

To qualify, you must be either enrolled in, participating in, or have completed a TAA/NAFTA-TAA approved training course or be under a certified waiver of training.

1. Enrolled in Training - You must begin training within 30 days. If you have a definite date to begin training within 30 days, you do not have to make a work search; otherwise, you are required to make a minimum of two work searches per week.
2. Participating in Training - A "Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker in Training" (Form LWC 858A) must be filed weekly. The 30 day scheduled published break provision will apply to basic weeks, provided all of the break conditions are met. However, if the break exceeds 30 days or is not a published scheduled break, payment will not be made for any weeks of the break.

   NOTE: The amount of the weekly benefit will not be deducted from the maximum benefit amount nor will the number of allotted weeks be diminished.

3. Completed Training - If the training was approved or was eligible for approval under the Trade Act and the training occurred subsequent to your total or partial separation and you have provided a copy of your diploma or certificate of completion to the TRA Payment Unit, basic weeks can be paid. However, it will be necessary that you make a minimum of two work searches per week. A "Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker Not in Training" (Form LWC 858B) must be filed weekly in lieu of Form LWC 858A. Keep a record of your work search information.
4. Provisions for Active Attendance - Payment will not be made if these provisions are not met. (See "Instructions for Completion of Form LWC 858A" below.)
5. Under Certified Waiver - A "Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker Not in Training" (Form LWC 858B) must be filed weekly, in lieu of Form LWC 858A. A copy of the approved waiver must be submitted to the TRA Payment Unit, and you must make a minimum of two work searches each week while under a waiver. Keep a record of your work search information.

   NOTE: If you are claiming under the NAFTA Program, this provision is not applicable.

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Additional Weeks (52 consecutive weeks maximum):

1. You must be participating in training in order to receive these additional weeks of benefits.
2. The "Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker in Training" (Form LWC 858A) must be filed weekly.
3. The 30-day scheduled published break provision will apply to additional weeks, provided all of the break conditions are met; however, if the break exceeds 30 days or is not a scheduled published break, payment will not be made for any weeks during the break.

   NOTE: The number of weeks allowed will be diminished during break periods, whether or not benefits are payable.

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Remedial Weeks (26 consecutive weeks if required and approved)

1. You must be participating in approved remedial training to receive these weeks of benefits.
2. The "Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker in Training" (Form LWC 858A) must be filed weekly.
3. The 30-day scheduled published break provision will apply to additional weeks, provided all of the break conditions are met; however, if the break exceeds 30 days or is not a scheduled published break, payment will not be made for any weeks during the break.

   NOTE: The number of weeks allowed will be diminished during break periods, whether or not benefits are payable.

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Instructions for Completion of Form LWC 858A

Form LWC 858A must be completed in its entirety by you and certified (sign and date). Failure to properly complete and submit this form to the TRA Payment Unit in a timely manner may result in a delay or denial of benefits.

Provisions for Active Attendance - Payment will not be made if the provisions of active attendance are not met. If you miss one day or even part of a day without justifiable cause, payments will be disallowed for the whole week.

Justifiable Cause - Justifiable cause means such reasons as would justify your conduct when measured by conduct expected of a reasonable individual in like circumstances, including, but not limited to, reasons beyond your control and reasons related to your capability to participate in, or complete, an approved training program.

Examples (considered beyond your control):

• Sick - One day allowed without doctor's certificate, two days maximum allowed with doctor's certificate.
• Jury duty - Copy of notice required.
• School closed due to bad weather - An official letter from school stating closure time(s) and date(s) is needed.
• Your child is sick - One day allowed.
• No child care - One day allowed.
• Funeral - Must have copy of obituary or formal notice of death (parent, step-parent, child, step-child, brother, step-brother, sister, step-sister, spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild). - Two days maximum allowed.
• Car trouble - First day excused. After first day, you must make arrangements for transportation.
• Pregnancy - No additional sick days allowed (see example above).

TRA Payments During Breaks While in Training - The 2002 amendments to the Trade Act now provide for the payment of basic, additional and remedial weeks of TRA "during any week which is part of a break in training," provided three conditions are met: 1) the break in training does not exceed 30 days; 2) you were participating in the training before the beginning of the break; and 3) the break is provided for in the published schedule of the training program.

SPECIAL NOTE: Even though a training facility may be closed for holidays or semester breaks, the "Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker in Training" (Form LWC 858A) must be submitted by you for each week of closure. In this situation, you should answer Question 1 by checking "NO" and indicate "School Closed for Holiday/Semester Break."

Terminated, Withdrawn, or Completed Training - If you have terminated or withdrawn from training, you must notify this office immediately. If you have successfully completed your training, you must provide this office with a copy of your diploma or certificate of completion and complete Form LWC 858B in lieu of Form LWC 858A. IF YOU ARE IN THE ADDITIONAL WEEKS PERIOD, NO BENEFITS ARE PAYABLE AFTER COMPLETION OR TERMINATION DATE OF TRAINING. The law provides penalties for false statements. Any benefits paid to which you were not entitled will be recovered.

Download Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker in Training (Form LWC 858A) (PDF).

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Instructions for Completing Form LWC 858B

If you have successfully completed training and have provided this office with a copy of your diploma or certificate of completion, or if you have received a certified waiver of training and have provided this office with a copy of said waiver, Form LWC 858B must be completed in its entirety by you and certified (sign and date). Failure to properly complete and submit this form in a timely manner to the TRA Payment Unit may result in a delay or denial of benefits.

Work Search Provision - You are required to make and report a minimum of two work search contacts per week. You should keep a record of your work search information.

IF YOU ARE IN THE ADDITIONAL WEEKS PERIOD, NO BENEFITS ARE PAYABLE AFTER COMPLETION OR TERMINATION DATE OF TRAINING. The law provides penalties for false statements. Any benefits paid to which you were not entitled will be recovered.

Download Weekly Request for Allowances by Job Seeker Not in Training (Form LWC 858B) (PDF).

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TRA Payment Unit Address:

TRA Payment Unit - Room 370
Post Office Box 94094
Baton Rouge, LA  70804

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