The Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC § 2271 et seq.), as amended, established Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to provide assistance to workers in companies affected by imports from foreign countries, shifts in production to certain foreign countries, and to certain secondary workers. The program provides affected workers with both rapid and early assistance and the opportunity to engage in long-term training while receiving income support. These benefits are provided at no expense to employers.

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) for older workers is an alternative to TAA for trade affected workers 50 years of age or older. ATAA encourages qualified trade affected workers to quickly obtain full-time employment by providing a wage subsidy in lieu of training and income support. Submission of a completed Petition Form signifies a desire to file for both TAA and ATAA. If certified for both programs, workers will have the option of applying for TAA benefits and services and, if reemployment occurs within 26 weeks of the worker's separation, may be eligible to receive ATAA instead of TAA, if the worker desires.

• A worker group (minimum of three workers), union official or other authorized representative, state or local agency representative in a local One Stop Career Center, or knowledgeable firm official must complete this Petition Form, by answering all questions before submitting it to the Department.
• Persons are not required to respond to this collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Department of Labor at the address provided below (Paperwork Reduction Project 1205-0342).

• You must submit the Petition Form within 1 YEAR from the date on which the workers were separated or had their hours/wages reduced, but no more than 60 days before layoffs are scheduled or expected to begin.
• Once the petition is submitted by electronic filing application, a copy of the petition will be simultaneously transmitted to the Department of Labor and the state office covering the location of the worker group.
• The petition date will be recorded as the date that the electronic filing application is submitted.

U.S. Department of Labor
Division of Trade Adjustment Assistance
Room N-5428
200 Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202-693-3560
Fax: 202-693-3584, 3585
Internet: http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact