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Connecticut Unemployment 6

April 20th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

Connecticut manufacturers have been taking a hit lately as many companies turn to cheaper products and parts produced outside of the U.S. As a result, a number of Connecticut workers have been laid off, or had their hours and wages reduced drastically.

Now, there’s help on the way in the form of a Connecticut unemployment program called TAA, or Trade Assignment Assistance. TAA is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The most recent group to qualify for TAA in Connecticut is 38 employees of Hartford Technologies, who used to produce precision balls and bearings. The workers have recently been certified to receive TAA benefits by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

Do TAA benefits really help? In 2006, the U.S. Dept. of Labor granted 1,426 petitions for TAA benefits to workers at companies negatively affected by balance of trade issues. Of those, 88% included ATAA benefits. A total of 837 petitions for TAA coverage were denied in 2006. The average petition processing time is 31 days. By law, the Dept. of Labor must make a ruling on the petition within 40 days.

The U.S. Dept. of Labor appropriated nearly $1 billion in funding for TAA and ATAA during 2006. This includes $259.4 for training, job search allowances, relocation expenses and program administration. The agency also budgeted $52 million from the Federal Unemployment Benefits and Allowances for ATAA benefits.

In 2006, 80,700 workers benefited from training under TAA. An additional 53,493 workers received TRA. Of those participants, 61% received occupational training, 13% received remedial education, 3% received customized training and 3% received on-the-job training. The average training duration was slightly over a year, at 59 weeks.

Special assistance available for these workers includes training and income in the form of Trade Readjustment Allowances. Eligible workers also receive job search and relocation allowances for workers who search for jobs outside their normal commuting area.