RALEIGH ó Workers who lost their jobs from Furniture Makers Supply Company in Lexington have today been certified eligible to receive special assistance in finding new jobs or entering training programs, according to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission.
ESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. made the announcement following notification from the U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOL) concerning approval of a Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition filed by a company official.
The Federal Trade Act provides special benefits under TAA to those workers who were laid off or had hours reduced because their employer was adversely affected by increased imports from other countries.
The affected workers may be eligible to receive benefits, which include: cost of up to two years in a training pro- gram (tuition, books and fees); up to 130 weeks of weekly unemployment allowances and income assistance (while attending training); job search and relocation allowances, and Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). The average cost of an agency-approved two-year training program in North Carolina is currently $5,000.
Workers who are 50 years of age or older may be eligible for the Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program, which is an alternative for older workers who are not interested in training.
Individuals who lost their jobs from Furniture Makers Supply Company since February 21, 2007, may be eligible to receive Trade Adjustment Allowances, assistance for retraining, relocation or job search allowances, HCTC and/or ATAA under the Trade Act Program.
In order to determine eligibility to receive these benefits, individuals should contact the nearest ESC office.