SECTION A: Trade Adjustment Assistance

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DEFINITIONS | REFERENCES | WEBSITE | INQUIRES

POLICY SECTIONS:

 Relocation Allowances | Transportation | Moving | Advance Payment
Conditions and Requirements | Lodging and Meals
Storage | Veteran's Priority of Service

Relocation Allowances

Certified workers who apply for TAA services may be eligible for Relocation Allowances.  Relocation Allowances can provide reimbursement for moving expenses to participants who are successful in obtaining employment outside their normal commuting area.

A totally separated adversely affected worker covered under a certification may receive a relocation allowance when:

1. It is determined that there is no reasonable expectancy that the participant can obtain suitable work within the participant’s commuting area; and 
   
   

2. The participant has obtained "suitable work" of long-term duration, or a bona fide offer of suitable work, in the area of intended relocation. (See definition for suitable work)

Participants may receive relocation allowances for 90 percent of the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in transporting the worker and family, if any, and the household effects to the area of relocation, plus a lump sum equal to three times the worker's average weekly wage. 

The lump sum payment must not exceed a maximum of $800 for certifications numbered below 50,000 and $1,250 for certifications 50,000 and above.

Conditions and Requirements

• The participant must receive an Initial Assessment prior to the approval of any request for relocation allowances. 
  
  

• The participant must request relocation allowances in writing and in advance of the relocation.

• The participant must file an application for relocation allowances within 425 days after the date of the certification under which the participant is covered, or the date of the participant's last total separation from adversely affected employment, whichever is later. 

• The participant enrolled in approved training must file an application no later than 182 days after completion of such training.
  
  
• The relocation must begin no later than 182 days after the date the application, or 182 days after the conclusion of training.

• Actual reimbursement of expenses by the service provider will not be made until and unless a certification has been issued and the worker has been determined to be eligible for TAA benefits. 

• The participant must verify to the service provider that they have obtained suitable work or a bona fide offer of suitable work.  Participants enrolled in training are not eligible for relocation assistance until they complete their training component and obtain a bona fide offer of “suitable work.”

• Participants must submit original receipts for reimbursement. 

• Participants shall not use TAA funds to cover the costs of relocation paid by a prospective employer or other programs. 

• The service provider shall exclude the following items from coverage. The participant will assume costs for and personally arrange for transportation of:

1. Items of high intrinsic or sentimental value;  

2. Jewelry, collector's items, etc.;

3. Animals;

4. Boats;

5. Airplanes;

6. Camping Vehicles;

7. Mobile Homes (unless primary residence of employee);

8. Explosives;

9. Building Materials;

10. Dangerous Goods;

11. Perishable foodstuffs subject to spoilage; and

12. Fuel or similar non-household articles.

• The participant is required to submit a completed Final Statement of Cost Form with all original receipts to the originating office within 30 days upon completion of the relocation.

• Using a commercial carrier will require at least two competitive bids or other adequate justification for the cost of service.  Except for extenuating circumstances, a worker must accept reimbursement at the lowest bid on a move by commercial carrier.

• The relocation must be completed within a reasonable time period. To determine what the reasonable time period would be for the participant the service provider shall consider among others, the following factors:

1. Suitable housing is not available in the area of relocation;

2. The worker cannot dispose of the current house;

3. The worker or a family member is ill; or a member of the worker's family is attending school. 

Transportation

The amount allowable for transportation will not exceed the lesser of:

1. 90 percent of the actual cost of the trip for the worker and any dependents by the most economical public transportation they reasonably can be expected to take from the place of residence to the area of relocation;  or
   
   

2. 90 percent of the cost per mile at the prevailing federal mileage rate for such a trip for the worker and any dependents by the usual route from the place of residence to the area of relocation.

Up to two privately owned vehicles can be moved by the most direct route at 90 percent of the prevailing federal mileage rate provided:

1. The worker and/or dependent travel to the new location in such vehicle;
   

2. The vehicle is driven rather than towed;
   

3. No other claim under this move for transportation costs for such worker and/or dependent is made; and
   

4. Other family members and/or household goods will be traveling in the authorized vehicle(s).

Lodging and Meals

The amount allowable for lodging and meals will not exceed the lesser of 45 percent of the prevailing federal rate for lodging and meals or 90 percent of the actual expense for lodging and meals. 

Payment will be limited to the number of days reasonably necessary to travel to the new location when traveling by personal vehicle.  If more than one day of travel is necessary, 425 miles per day will be the standard.  When traveling by commercial air, one day is normally allowed for travel.  Lodging and meals at the new location may be authorized for a reasonable period when circumstances warrant.  Invoices that document expenses must be submitted by the worker, even when the federal rate for lodging and meals is used.

Moving

The amount allowable for moving will not exceed 90 percent of the cost of moving the household goods of the worker and family and 90 percent of the reasonable cost of insurance for moving such household goods, or of moving a mobile home by commercial carrier or other means of transport to the new location. 

The total amount allowable for moving must not exceed the cost of moving a maximum of 18,000 pounds of household goods between the same origin and destination points by commercial carrier. The participant will pay charges for weights in excess of 18,000 pounds.

Such amount is payable for the most practical and economical method reasonably available to the worker.

Storage

The service provider shall allow storage costs for up to 60 days at either the origin or destination, but not both.  The request for storage must be approved prior to the move and cost for storage must be identified.

Advance Payment

Advance payment of up to 90 percent of the estimated allowance for transportation, lodging and meals, transportation of household goods (where a commercial carrier is not involved), and lump sum payment may be paid to the worker not more than 10 days prior to the anticipated move.  

Veteran's Priority of Services
The Trade Adjustment Assistance program will comply with the Jobs for Veterans Act, enacted into Public law 107-288 on November 2, 2002.  Covered veterans determined eligible for the TAA program shall receive priority over non veterans for the receipt of appropriate services provided under the TAA program.

DEFINITIONS

Suitable Work:

1. Suitable work as defined in the applicable state law for claimants for regular compensation i.e., employment in an occupation in keeping with an individual's prior work experience, education, or training...or employment the individual would have the physical and mental ability to perform -- RCW 50.20.100); or
   
   

2. Suitable work as defined in the applicable state law provisions consistent with section 202(a)(3) of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970; whichever is applicable, but does not in any case include self-employment or employment as an independent contractor.

REFERENCES

• Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002

• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20 Chapter 5, Part 617

• Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 11-02 dated 10/10/02

• Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 5-03, dated 09/16/03

SUPERSEDES

WEBSITE

http://www.wa.gov/esd/policies

DIRECT INQUIRIES TO

Randy Bachman
Employment Security Department
Employment and Training Division, State Trade Coordinator
P.O. Box 9046, MS 6000
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
E-Mail: rbachman@esd.wa.gov
Telephone: (360) 438-3148
FAX: (360) 438-3174