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Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program is a government program that helps workers who lost their jobs because of foreign trade. This can happen if more products are being imported or if a company moves jobs to another country.

TAA helps eligible workers enroll in training and provides support to help them find a new job as quickly as possible.

How to Receive TAA Benefits

To receive TAA benefits and services, you must:

  •  Be part of a group affected by foreign trade.
    • You or your employer must submit a request (petition) to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
    • The DOL must approve the petition and confirm your group qualifies for TAA.
  • Apply for individual benefits.
    • Once your group is approved, you must apply for benefits through the Employment Development Department (EDD).
    • The EDD will check if you meet the individual requirements.

Once approved, you can get training, job search help, and other support to find new work.

Filing a Petition for TAA Benefits

To qualify for TAA benefits, a petition must be filed with the DOL or you must be covered under a previously approved petition.

Once the DOL reviews a new petition and decides that a group of workers is eligible, they will issue a group eligibility certification. If you are part of the certified group, you will receive a letter by mail letting you know that you can apply for TAA benefits in California.

Who Can File a Petition

A petition can be filed by:

  • At least two workers from the same employer.
  • A certified union official or worker representative.
  • A representative from the employer.
  • Staff from America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM.

How to File a Petition

  • The petition can be filed online on the DOL's TAA website.
  • Other filing methods are listed on the website.
  • A copy of the petition must be emailed to the California TAA State Coordinator at WSBTAAPetitions@edd.ca.gov.

Coverage Under Certified Petitions

Some workers may already be covered under a previously approved petition. You can check the TAA Petitions database (which includes cases from 1975 to today) to see if you qualify.

You can search for a petition by:

  • Date.
  • Location.
  • Company name.
  • Petition status.

The database also provides links to petition documents when available.

For more details, visit the DOL’s TAA website on Petitions and Determinations Data website or contact your local America’s Job Center of California.

Submit a TAA Application

Once the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) certifies a group as eligible, each worker in the group will receive a notice by mail. After receiving this notice, you can apply for TAA benefits by completing the Application for Trade Adjustment Assistance (DE 8309) (PDF) and mailing it to the address listed on the form.

Not Sure If You're Eligible? If you think you may qualify for TAA but did not receive a notice, you can still apply by submitting the DE 8309 form.

Contact a TAA Specialist

If you are approved for individual TAA benefits, you will receive a Notice of Initial Entitlement to TRA/TAA Benefits Under the Trade Act of 1974, as Amended (DE 8313C). This letter includes important deadlines, so contact the office listed on the notice as soon as possible to start the process for receiving benefits.

Apply for Unemployment Insurance

If you were laid off, it is also recommended that you apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits while applying for TAA.

TAA Benefits and Services

If found eligible for TAA benefits and services, you may receive one or more of the following:

  • Employment and case management services
  • Training benefits
  • Trade Readjustment Allowances
  • Job search allowances
  • Relocation allowances
  • Alternative or Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance

Note – You must verify the petition number you are certified under to determine the benefits you are eligible to receive.

Contact Information

Contact the EDD TAA State Coordinator for questions about your eligibility for particular benefits, how to receive services, and other programs you might be eligible for:

Helpful Forms and Resources

Find forms and other helpful resources related to the TAA program.

Important Announcement

On July 1, 2022, the termination provision under Section 285(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, took effect. Until further notice, the DOL may not issue any new determinations and may not review any requests for reconsideration. Workers who were certified by a previously certified petition, and separated or threatened with separation from their job on or before June 30, 2022, may still be eligible for individual benefits and services and should contact their nearest America’s Job Center of California to speak to a TAA Specialist.

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