Home → Unemployment > Benefits > Special Programs for Laid-off Workers
Special Programs For Laid-off Workers
In addition to regular unemployment benefits, you may be eligible for other programs for laid off workers:
- If you have run out of your regular unemployment benefits (unemployment extensions)
- If you were laid-off because of foreign trade
- If you were laid-off because of a natural disaster
- If you were laid-off from the military or federal government
- If you were laid-off and are being retrained
Trade Assistance Programs (TAA, ATAA, and TRA)
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA), and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) help trade-affected workers who have lost their jobs as a result of increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States. Eligiblility is determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Certified workers may be eligible to receive job search assistance, training, relocation allowances, additional weeks of unemployment benefits and a tax credit on health insurance premiums. ATAA provides eligible workers over 50 with a wage subsidy if they find new employment within 26 weeks of their separation and their new job has lower wages than their old job.
If you think you may be eligible for Trade Assistance, please contact the CareerCenter at 1-888-457-8883 or TTY: Maine relay 711 for more information.
Related Links:
- Frequently asked questions about trade benefits
- Explanation of benefits and allowances available under trade programs
- Explanation of Work Search and Suitable Work Requirements under trade programs
- Summary of the Trade Adjustment Reform Act of 2002
- List of Approved Trade Petitions
Related Forms:
- Weekly Request for Allowances Form for Trade Programs
- Weekly Request for Allowances and Attendance Form for Trade Programs
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides unemployment assistance to individuals whose unemployment is the direct result of a major disaster as declared by the President of the United States.
Related Links:
Unemployment for Laid-of Military and Federal Employees (UCX, UCFE)
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members provides ex-military personnel to provide weekly income to meet basic needs while searching for employment.
Related Links:
Unemployment Compensation for federal employees is the benefit program for unemployed federal employees. Funding comes from the federal government and is distributed through state agencies.
Related Links:
Dislocated Worker Benefits (DWB)
The Dislocated Worker Benefit program (DWB) gives extra weeks of unemployment benefits to unemployed workers in “approved” training programs. After a worker uses up all of his or her regular unemployment benefits and any extended benefits, the DWB program may provide up to 26 more weeks of benefits to help finish a training program. Workers in an approved training program do not have to look for work as long as they are attending school.
Related Links:
- Frequently Asked Questions About Dislocated Worker Benefits
- Initial Application for Dislocated Worker Benefits
- Dislocated Worker Benefits weekly claim form & training attendance verification
