Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA)

If you were laid off on or AFTER May 18, 2009:
TRA 2009

The Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) is a weekly benefit that begins after Unemployment Insurance benefits exhaust.

• To qualify for TRA, the worker must have worked at least 26 weeks in the previous 52-week period, and earned at least $30 per week, prior to the separation date.
• A basic TRA entitlement is a fixed dollar amount payable within a 104-week period that begins with the first week following the worker's most recent TRA-qualifying separation.
• The weekly TRA amount is the same as the Unemployment Insurance (UI) insurance claim. Basic TRA usually lasts 26 weeks after UI is exhausted. Extended UI Benefits are deducted from TRA.
• Workers approved for training may receive up to 78 weeks of additional TRA allowances to complete a training program.

Usually, TRA is only paid when the worker is in an approved training program. However, there are two exceptions to this rule. If the worker meets one of these exceptions a TRA waiver may be granted. The exceptions are:

• If the worker is working on a training plan with an employment counselor, and the UI claim is exhausted, the worker may start drawing out TRA benefits 30 days prior to the start date of training, or
• If an employment counselor determines that training is not appropriate for the worker, the worker can draw out the TRA benefits while actively seeking and reporting work search contacts.

If you were laid off on or BEFORE May 17, 2009:
TRA 2002

Due to the time frames that regulate receiving TRA payments, please contact Trade Adjustment Assistance Program Coordinator at (907) 465-6275 or via email, dol.taa@alaska.gov if you have questions.

Taxable Income
Alaska TRA payments are taxable income at the Federal Income Tax rate of 10 percent.