Administration by Applicable State Agencies

20 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart H
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

20 C.F.R. § 618.800 Scope.

This subpart covers the general administrative requirements a State must follow in providing the benefits and services available under the TAA Program. The requirements in this subpart include: The provision of rapid response and appropriate career services to groups of workers for whom a petition is filed, delivering TAA Program benefits and services to trade-affected workers, assisting in the filing of petitions for those likely to be eligible for benefits under this part, conducting outreach to groups of workers covered under a petition for TAA filed under subpart B of this part, and notifying UI claimants of the TAA Program.

20 C.F.R. § 618.804 Agreements with the Secretary of Labor.

(a) Authority. A State or CSA must, before performing any function or exercising any jurisdiction under the Act and this part, execute an Agreement meeting the requirements of the Act with the Secretary. (b) Execution. (1) An Agreement under paragraph (a) of this section must be signed and dated on behalf of the State or the CSA by an authorized official whose authority is certified by the State Attorney General or counsel for the CSA, unless the Agreement is signed by the Governor or the chief elected official of the State. In the event that a State does not execute an Agreement under paragraph (a) of this section, then section 3302(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (26 U.S.C. 3302(c)(3)) (loss of unemployment tax credits under section 3302(a) and (b)), applies. (2) A State or CSA must execute an amended Agreement with the Secretary, upon the request of the Secretary, in response to legislative or regulatory changes to the TAA Program. (3) The Secretary will execute an Agreement on behalf of the United States. (c) Public access to Agreements. The CSA must make available for inspection and copying, an accurate copy of its Agreement under this section to any individual or organization that requests it. The CSA may furnish copies of the Agreement upon payment of the same charges, if any, as apply to the furnishing of copies of other records of the CSA. (d) Agent of the United States. A State that has executed an Agreement under this section is an agent of the United States for purposes of receiving applications for and providing payments on the basis provided in this part and must carry out fully the purposes of the Act and this part. (e) Breach. If the Secretary determines that the State or CSA has not fulfilled its commitments under its Agreement stated in this section, the Secretary may terminate the Agreement. The Secretary must provide the State or CSA reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the Secretary makes a finding that the State has not fulfilled its commitments under its Agreement. In the event that the Secretary determines the State or CSA has not fulfilled its commitments under its Agreement, section 3302(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (regarding loss of unemployment tax credits under section 3302(a) and (b)), applies. (f) Review of State and CSA compliance. The Department is responsible for monitoring and reviewing State and CSA compliance with the Agreement entered into under the Act and this section. (g) Merit staffing. States must comply with the staffing flexibility provisions contained in § 618.890. (h) Contents. Each Agreement under this section must contain provisions including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Provisions consistent with the requirements of section 239 of the Act (19 U.S.C. 2311); (2) Authorization for the State to issue waivers under § 618.735 (waiver of training requirement for Basic TRA) and the requirement that the State submit, upon request, to the Department a copy of each such waiver and, if not already contained within each waiver, a statement of the reasons for such waiver; (3) The requirement that the State supply data to the Department on national TAA Program performance goals identified in applicable regulations, the Department's written directives, or any other written means used to communicate such goals; and (4) Provisions establishing TAA Program funds as the primary source of Federal assistance to trade-affected workers. This means that following certification of a petition under subpart B of this part, the costs for providing services to a worker group should shift from WIOA and other programs to the TAA Program. (i) Administration absent State Agreement. (1) In any State in which no Agreement under this section is in effect, the Secretary will administer the Act and this part through appropriate arrangements made by the Department. (2) The Secretary will administer TAA in accordance with this part and the provisions of the applicable State law, except to the extent that such State law is inconsistent with this part, section 303 of SSA (42 U.S.C. 503), or section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (26 U.S.C. 3304(a)). (3) The Secretary will provide for a fair hearing for any individual whose application for TAA is denied. A final determination as to eligibility for TAA will be subject to review as provided in 42 U.S.C 405(g), as required by section 240(b) of the Act. (4)(i) The Department will issue administrative guidance providing additional detail on the operation of the TAA Program within that State. (ii) Prior to providing administrative guidance, the Department will consult with the Governor, other State agencies, neighboring States, and other organizations to determine how best to ensure access to the TAA Program within that State. Options to administer the program that the Department may consider include, but are not limited to: (A) Executing an agreement with another State to operate the TAA Program; (B) Executing an agreement with a qualified organization within the State that adheres to all TAA Program requirements in this part to operate the TAA Program; and (C) Directly administering the TAA Program. (j) Program coordination. State agencies providing employment and case management services under subpart C of this part and training under subpart F of this part must, in accordance with their Agreements under this section, coordinate such services and payments with programs and services provided by WIOA and with the State agency administering the State law. Any agency of the State jointly administering such provisions under this Agreement must be considered to be a CSA for purposes of this part.

20 C.F.R. § 618.808 State rulemaking.

(a) A State may establish laws, regulations, procedures, or policies, not inconsistent with the Act or this part, or administrative guidance issued by the Department. (b) The State must submit the exact text of such proposed law, regulation, procedure, or policy, certified as accurate by a responsible official, employee, or counsel of the State, to the Department. (c) No law, regulation, procedure, or policy proposed under paragraph (a) of this section may become effective unless and until approved by the Department. The Department may grant approval on a temporary basis, not to exceed 90 days, in cases of administrative necessity. (d) The Department may withdraw approval at any time with reasonable notice of no less than 30 days to a State. (e) If public notice and opportunity for hearing would be required under State law for adoption of a similar law, regulation, procedure, or policy involving UI or other State or Federal law, the State must provide such public notice and opportunity for hearing.

20 C.F.R. § 618.812 Subpoenas.

(a) A State may require by subpoena the attendance of witnesses and production of evidence necessary for use in the determination of an individual's eligibility for TAA Program services and benefits or to obtain information needed to assist the Department in the petition determination process. (b) This power includes the ability of the State to subpoena an employer for information necessary to determine whether a certification covers a worker, including the name, address, and Social Security number of the worker. (c) The State may enforce compliance with subpoenas as provided under State law and, if a State court declines to enforce a subpoena issued under this section, or the State does not attempt a subpoena under State law, the State must petition for an order requiring compliance with such subpoena to the District Court of the United States with jurisdiction over the proceeding.

20 C.F.R. § 618.816 Trade Adjustment Assistance Program benefit information and provision of services to workers.

(a) Providing information to workers. State agencies must provide information to each worker who applies for UI about the benefit allowances, training, and other services available under this part, and about the application procedures, and the appropriate filing dates, for such allowances, training, and other services. (b) Rapid response and appropriate career services. States must ensure that rapid response assistance and appropriate career services, as described in section 134 of WIOA, are made available to members of a group of workers for whom a petition under subpart B of this part has been filed. (c) Providing reemployment services. (1) For trade-affected workers covered by a certification, States must: (i) Make available employment and case management services described in subpart C of this part, including testing, counseling, assessment, and placement services; and (ii) Provide referrals to, assistance in securing of, and approvals of training under subpart F of this part. (2) If funds provided to carry out this part are insufficient to make such services available, States must arrange to make such services available through other Federal programs. (d) Petition filing assistance. (1) States must facilitate the early filing of petitions for a group of workers that the State considers are likely to be eligible for TAA Program benefits. (2) For purposes of paragraph (d)(1) of this section, “likely to be eligible” means the State has a reasonable belief that a certification will be issued for the group of workers based on observations made by State staff; existence of certifications within the same industry, sector, or supply chain; or information or statements from the firm, union, workers, media coverage, or other reports. (3) States must provide assistance to enable individuals and other entities eligible to file to prepare petitions or applications for program benefits. (4) Petitions must be filed under paragraph (d)(1) of this section even if the firm, a union, elected officials, or members of the group of workers oppose the filing. (e) Providing information after issuance of a certification. (1) States must inform the State's board on vocational and technical education (also called the eligible agency, as defined in 20 U.S.C. 2302(12)) or the equivalent agency in the State and other public or private agencies, institutions, and employers, as appropriate, of each certification issued under subpart B of this part and of projections, if available, of the needs for training under subpart F of this part as a result of such certification. (2) Upon receipt of a certification issued under subpart B of this part by the Department, the State must provide a written notice through the mail, of the benefits available under this part to each worker known to be covered by the certification when the worker becomes partially or totally separated or as soon as possible after the certification is issued if the worker is already partially or totally separated from adversely affected employment. The State must also provide notice to all workers threatened with separation who may be AAIWs. These notices must contain the following information: (i) The worker group(s) covered by the TAA certification and the article(s) produced or services rendered as specified in the copy of the certification furnished to the State; (ii) The name and the address or location of workers' firm; (iii) The impact, certification, and expiration dates in the certification document. (iv) A summary of benefits and services available to the workers; (v) An explanation of how, when, and where the workers may apply for TAA Program benefits and services; (vi) The training enrollment deadlines (set forth in § 618.725) for TRA qualification; (vii) Whom to contact to get additional information on the certification; and (viii) A Babel notice (a short notice in multiple languages informing the reader that the communication contains vital information and explaining how to access language services to have the contents of the communication provided in other languages). (3) In order to identify these workers, the State must obtain from the firm, or another reliable source, the names and addresses of all workers who were partially or totally separated from adversely affected employment before the agency received the certification, and of all workers who are thereafter partially or totally separated or threatened with separation within the certification period. Provision of this information may be compelled under the subpoena provisions at § 618.812. (4) Upon receipt of a copy of a certification issued by the Department affecting workers in a State, the State must publish a notice of the certification in a newspaper of general circulation in areas in which such workers reside. The published notice must include the same information identified in paragraphs (e)(2)(i) through (viii) of this section. The notice may be filed in a print version of the newspaper, or in the online or digital version of the newspaper if it can be reasonably expected to reach the interested parties. (5) Upon receipt of a copy of a certification issued by the Department, the State must perform outreach to, intake of, and orientation for trade-affected workers covered by the certification with respect to assistance and benefits available under this part. (6) In addition to the mailed written notice under paragraph (e)(2) of this section, States must also give notice to each worker by at least one method of modern electronic communication reasonably calculated to reach each worker. For example, States may give notice via email to a worker with a known email address, or by text to a worker with a known mobile phone number. (7) States may also use other modern methods of communication, such as websites and social media, to reach members of certified worker groups. (f) Specific benefit assistance to workers. States must: (1) Advise each trade-affected worker, as soon as practicable after the worker is separated from adversely affected employment or, if later, after a certification is issued, or upon notice of the worker's threatened status, of the benefits and services available under this part, including the qualifying requirements, procedures, and deadlines for applying for such benefits and services. (2) Perform an intake interview for each trade-affected worker (unless the worker declines the interview) as soon as practicable after the worker is separated from adversely affected employment, after a certification is issued, or upon notice of the worker's threatened status. The interview must be scheduled in time for the worker to meet the training enrollment deadline set forth in proposed § 618.725(a). During the interview, States must provide information about all of the benefits available under this part.

20 C.F.R. § 618.820 Determinations of eligibility; notices to individuals.

(a) Determinations on initial applications. The State whose State law is the applicable State law must, upon the filing of an initial application by an individual, promptly determine the individual's eligibility for TAA Program benefits under this part and may accept for such purposes information and findings supplied by another State. (b) Determinations on subsequent applications. The State must, upon the filing of an application for payment of TRA, RTAA, subsistence and transportation, job search allowance, or relocation allowance, promptly determine whether the individual is eligible for such payment and, if eligible, the amount of such payment. (c) Redeterminations. The provision for redeterminations under the applicable State law applies to determinations of eligibility for any benefit under this part. (d) Use of State law. In making determinations or redeterminations under this section, or in reviewing such determinations or redeterminations under § 618.820, a State must apply the regulations in this part. As to matters committed by this part to be decided under the applicable State law, a CSA, a hearing officer, or a State court must apply the applicable State law and regulations thereunder, including the procedural requirements of the applicable State law or regulations, except that no provision of State law or State regulations on good cause for waiver of any time limit, or for late filing of any claim, will apply to any time limitation referred to or specified in this part, unless such State law or regulation is made applicable by a specific provision of this part. However, States must follow the good cause provision at § 618.730. (e) Notices to individuals. The State must notify individuals in writing of any determination or redetermination of eligibility to TAA Program benefits. Each determination or redetermination must inform the individual of the reason for the determination or redetermination and of the right to reconsideration or appeal in the same manner as determinations of entitlement to UI are subject to redetermination or appeal under the applicable State law. (f) Promptness. States must make full payment of TAA Program benefits when due with the greatest promptness that is administratively feasible. (g) Procedure. Except where otherwise required by the Act or this part, the procedures for making and furnishing determinations, the promptness standards, and written notices of determinations to individuals, must be consistent with the Department's “Standard for Claim Determinations—Separation Information,” Employment Security Manual, part V, sections 6010 through 6015 (appendix B of this part). (h) Successor-in-interest. (1) States are authorized to determine whether a firm is a successor-in-interest to a firm named as the employer of a worker group on a determination issued under subpart B of this part. (2) The factors to be used to determine whether or not there is a successor-in-interest are established in § 618.110. (3) If, after reviewing the successor-in-interest factors, the State believes that a denial of benefits is warranted, the State must file a new petition requesting an amendment to the certification under § 618.250.

20 C.F.R. § 618.824 Liable State and agent State responsibilities.

(a) Liable State. The liable State, as defined in § 618.110, is responsible for: (1) Making all determinations, redeterminations, and decisions on appeals on all claims for program benefits under this part, including job search and relocation allowances under subpart D of this part; RTAA under subpart E of this part; training under subpart F of this part; subsistence and transportation payments under subpart F of this part; Basic, Additional, and Completion TRA under subpart G of this part; and waivers and revocations of waivers under subpart G of this part; (2) Providing workers with general program information and assistance under § 618.816; (3)(i) Providing rapid response assistance and appropriate career services, as described under section 134 of WIOA, to the group of workers in the State covered by the petition upon receiving notice of any such workers for whom a petition is filed. (ii) This includes making career services authorized under other Federal laws available to the workers covered by the petition to the extent authorized under such laws. (iii) In certain situations, based on the residency of the group of workers, it may be appropriate for agent States to also be involved in the provision of these services, but in all instances the liable State must be ultimately responsible for ensuring the provision of these services; (4) Providing information and assistance to trade-affected workers under § 618.816(c) (providing reemployment services), (e) (providing information after issuance of a certification), and (f) (specific benefit assistance to workers) upon receiving a certification issued by the Department with respect to affected workers at a firm or appropriate subdivision in the State; (5) Providing a list of eligible TAA recipients and eligible RTAA recipients, for HCTC purposes, to the Internal Revenue Service if HCTC is available; and (6) Assisting in other activities and functions required by the Governor-Secretary Agreement at § 618.804, including assisting the Department in the review of petitions by verifying such information and providing such other assistance as the Department may request. (b) Agent State. The agent State, as defined in § 618.110, is responsible for: (1) Providing interstate claimants with general program information and assistance under § 618.816(a) and petition filing assistance under § 618.816(d); (2) Cooperating fully with and assisting the liable State in carrying out its responsibilities, activities, and functions, including the provision of rapid response and appropriate career services, as needed; (3) Cooperating with the liable State in taking applications and claims for TAA Program benefits under this part; (4) Providing employment and case management services, as described in subpart C of this part, to trade-affected workers covered by a certification issued by the Department under this part; (5) Cooperating with the liable State by providing information that the liable State needs for it to issue determinations, redeterminations, and decisions on appeals on all claims for program benefits under this part, as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section; (6) Securing, and paying the cost of, any approved training under subpart F of this part, and payment of subsistence and transportation under subpart F of this part, according to determinations issued by the liable State; (7) Paying costs under subpart D of this part for job search and relocation allowances; and (8) Assisting in other activities and functions required by the Agreement under § 618.804, including assisting in the review of petitions by verifying information and providing such other assistance as the Department may request. (c) Responsibilities under this section. In most instances, the liable State and agent State will be the same State and is responsible for all of the activities and functions described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

20 C.F.R. § 618.828 Appeals and hearings.

(a) Applicable State law. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a determination or redetermination under this part (other than a determination on the eligibility of a group of workers under subpart B of this part, which is subject to review by the USCIT) is subject to review in the same manner and to the same extent as determinations and redeterminations under the applicable State law, and only in that manner and to that extent. Proceedings for review of a determination or redetermination may be consolidated or joined with proceedings for review of other determinations or redeterminations under the applicable State law where convenient or necessary. The right of appeal and opportunity for fair hearing for these proceedings must be consistent with section 303(a)(1) and (3) of SSA (42 U.S.C. 503(a)(1) and (3)). (b) Allegations of discrimination. Complaints alleging that a determination or redetermination under this part violates applicable Federal nondiscrimination laws administered by the U.S. Department of Labor must be handled in accordance with the procedures of 29 CFR parts 31, 32, 35, 36, and 38, as applicable, and as provided in § 618.894 (nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements). (c) Appeals promptness. Appeals under paragraph (a) of this section must be decided with a degree of promptness meeting the Department's “Standard for Appeals Promptness—Unemployment Compensation” (20 CFR part 650). Any provisions of the applicable State law for advancement or priority of UI cases on judicial calendars, or other provisions intended to provide for prompt payment of UI when due, must apply equally to proceedings involving eligibility for TAA Program benefits and services under this part. (d) Retroactivity. In the case of a redetermination or decision reversing a training denial, the redetermination or decision must be given effect retroactively to the date of issuance of the determination that was subsequently reversed. However, no costs of training may be paid unless such costs actually were incurred for training in which the individual participated. In addition, if a TRA application was filed and denied as a result of the training denial, TRA may only be paid with respect to any week during which the individual was actually participating in the training.

20 C.F.R. § 618.832 Overpayments; penalties for fraud.

(a) Determinations and repayment. (1) If a State, the Department, or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any person has received any payment under this part to which the person was not entitled, including a payment referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, such person is required to repay such amount to the State or the Department, as appropriate, except that the State or the Department must waive such repayment if such State or the Department determines that: (i) The payment was made without fault on the part of such person; and (ii) Requiring such repayment would cause a financial hardship for the person (or the person's household, if applicable). (2) States must provide persons determined to have received TAA overpayments a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate their eligibility for waiver under the criteria in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section. (3) A financial hardship exists if recovery of the overpayment would result in the person's (or the person's household's) loss of or inability to pay for ordinary and necessary living expenses. This determination must take into account the income and resources (including liquid financial resources) reasonably available to the person (and the person's household). (4) Fault exists for purposes of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section if any of the following criteria are met: (i) Whether a material statement or representation was made by the person or individual in connection with the application for TAA that resulted in the overpayment, and whether the person knew or should have known that the statement or representation was inaccurate; (ii) Whether the person failed or caused another to fail to disclose a material fact in connection with an application for TAA that resulted in the overpayment, and whether the person knew or should have known that the fact was material; (iii) Whether the person knew or should have known that the person or individual was not entitled to the TAA payment; (iv) Whether, for any other reason, the overpayment resulted directly or indirectly, and partially or totally, from any act or omission of the person or of which the person or individual had knowledge, and that was erroneous or inaccurate or otherwise wrong; or (v) Whether there has been a determination of fraud under paragraph (b) of this section. (b) False representation or nondisclosure of material fact. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person will be permanently ineligible for any further payments under this part if a State, the Department, or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that: (1) Such person: (i) Knowingly made, or caused another to make, a false statement or representation of a material fact; or (ii) Knowingly failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a material fact; and (2) As a result of such false statement or representation, or of such nondisclosure, such person has received any payment under this part to which the person was not entitled. (c) Notice of determination, fair hearing, and finality. Except for overpayments determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, no repayment may be required, and no deduction may be made, under this section until a determination under paragraph (a)(1) of this section by the State or the Department, as appropriate, has been made, notice of the determination and an opportunity for a fair hearing thereon has been given to the person concerned, and the determination has become final. (d) Training, job search and relocation allowances, and RTAA. (1) If a trade-affected worker fails, with good cause, to complete training, a job search, or a relocation, any payment or portion of a payment made under this part to such person or individual properly and necessarily expended in attempting to complete such training, job search, or relocation is not an overpayment. (2) If a trade-affected worker fails, without good cause, to complete training, a job search, or a relocation, then the portion of a payment for the noncompleted component of a benefit is an overpayment. Costs for the completed portions of the training program, job search, or relocation are not an overpayment. (3) For purposes of this paragraph (d), good cause exists if the worker acted diligently yet was unable to complete training, a job search, or relocation because of exigent circumstances. The State must determine good cause on a worker-by-worker basis. (4) An overpayment established under this paragraph (d) must be recovered or waived as provided in this section. (5) For RTAA, an individual meets the “earns not more than $50,000 each year in wages from reemployment” requirement in section 246 of the Act for a given month if the monthly determination of annualized wages is accurate and complete at the time it is made. Payments derived from the annualized wage projection based on complete and accurate information at the time are valid payments that the individual was entitled to and are not overpayments. (e) Overpayment recovery of TAA Program funds by offset. Unless an overpayment is otherwise recovered or is waived, the State- (1) Must, subject to the limitation in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, recover the overpayment by deduction from any sums payable to such person under: (i) This part; (ii) Any Federal UI law administered by the State; or (iii) Any other Federal law administered by the State that provides for the payment of unemployment assistance or an allowance with respect to unemployment. (2) Must recover the overpayment from UI payable to such person under the applicable State law. (3) Must not allow any single deduction under this paragraph (e) to exceed 50 percent of the amount otherwise payable to the person; except that if the applicable State law provides for an overpayment recovery deduction that is less than 50 percent of the amount otherwise payable, such recovery must be equal to that lesser percentage. (f) Fraud detection and prevention. State procedures for the detection and prevention of fraudulent overpayments of TAA benefits must be, at a minimum, the same as the procedures adopted by the State with respect to State unemployment compensation, and consistent with the Department's “Standard for Fraud and Overpayment Detection,” Employment Security Manual, part V, sections 7510 through 7515 (appendix C to this part). (g) Person. For purposes of this section and § 618.836 (recovery of debts due the United States or others by TAA offset), a person includes, in addition to a trade-affected worker or other individual, any employer or other entity or organization as well as the officers and officials thereof, including any training provider as well as the officers and officials thereof, who may bear individual responsibility for the overpayment. (h) Criminal penalties. (1) Any person who makes a false statement of a material fact knowing it to be false, or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact under the circumstances described in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, must be imprisoned for not more than 1 year, fined under title 18, United States Code, or both. (i) For the purpose of obtaining or increasing for that person or for any other person any payment authorized to be furnished under the Act or pursuant to a Governor-Secretary Agreement under section 239 of the Act; or (ii) When providing information during an investigation of a petition under section 221 of the Act. (2) Whenever a violation under paragraph (h)(1) of this section is suspected, the State or the Department must refer the conduct to the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General.

20 C.F.R. § 618.836 Recovery of debts due the United States or to others by Trade Adjustment Assistance offset.

(a) Debt due the United States. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the State must apply TAA benefits, payable under this part to a person (as described in § 618.832(g)), for the recovery by offset of any debt due the United States from the person. (b) Debt due to others. The State must not apply TAA Program benefits for the payment of any debt of any person to any State or any other entity or person, except for TRA and RTAA benefits as required by Federal UI law.

20 C.F.R. § 618.840 Uniform interpretation and application of this part.

(a) First rule of construction. The implementing regulations in this part will be construed liberally to carry out the purposes of the Act. (b) Second rule of construction. The implementing regulations in this part will be construed to assure, insofar as possible, the uniform interpretation and application of the Act and this part throughout the United States. (c) Effectuating purposes and rules of construction. (1) To effectuate the purposes of the Act and this part and to assure uniform interpretation and application of the Act and this part throughout the United States: (i) A State must, upon request, forward to the Department, not later than 10 days from the date of the request, a copy of any administrative ruling on an individual's eligibility to TAA benefits under this part. (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, a State must forward to the Department a copy of any determination or redetermination on an individual's eligibility to TAA benefits under this part appealed to the State's highest UI administrative appeals authority. (iii) A State must forward to the Department a copy of notice of the institution of a State or Federal court proceeding and any State or Federal court ruling on an individual's eligibility to TAA Program benefits under this part, within 10 days of the notice or ruling. (2) If the Department concludes that a determination, redetermination, or decision is inconsistent with the Department's interpretation of the Act or this part, the Department may at any time notify the State of the Department's view. Thereafter, the State must issue a redetermination or appeal if possible and must not follow such determination, redetermination, or decision as a precedent; and, in any subsequent proceedings that involve such determination, redetermination, or decision, or wherein such determination, redetermination, or decision is cited as precedent or otherwise relied upon, the State must inform the claims deputy or hearing officer or court of the Department's view and must make all reasonable efforts, including appeal or other proceedings in an appropriate forum, to obtain modification, limitation, or overruling of the determination, redetermination, or decision. (3) If the Department concludes that a determination, redetermination, or decision is patently and flagrantly violates of the Act or this part, the Department may at any time notify the State of the Department's view. If the determination, redetermination, or decision in question denies TAA to an individual, the State must follow the steps outlined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. If the determination, redetermination, or decision in question awards TAA to an individual, the benefits are “due” within the meaning of section 303(a)(1) of SSA (42 U.S.C. 503(a)(1)), and therefore must be paid promptly to the individual. However, the State must take the steps outlined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and payments to the individual may be temporarily delayed if redetermination or appeal action is taken not more than 1 business day following the day on which the first payment otherwise would be issued to the individual; and the redetermination action is taken or appeal is filed to obtain a reversal of the award of TAA and a ruling consistent with the Department's view; and the redetermination action or appeal seeks an expedited redetermination or appeal within not more than 2 weeks after the redetermination action is taken. If redetermination action is not taken or appeal is not filed within the above time limit, or a redetermination or decision is not obtained within the 2-week limit, or any redetermination or decision or order is issued that affirms the determination, redetermination, or decision awarding TAA or allows it to stand in whole or in part, the benefits awarded must be paid promptly to the individual. (4)(i) If any determination, redetermination, or decision, referred to in paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this section, is treated as a precedent for any future application for TAA, the Secretary will decide whether the Agreement with the State entered into under the Act and this part will be terminated and § 618.804(e) applied. (ii) In the case of any determination, redetermination, or decision that is not legally warranted under the Act or this part, including any determination, redetermination, or decision referred to in paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this section, the Secretary will decide whether the State must restore the funds of the United States for any sums paid under such a determination, redetermination, or decision, and whether, in the absence of such restoration, the Agreement with the State will be terminated and § 618.804(e) applied and whether other action must be taken to recover such sums for the United States. (5) A State may request, in writing, within 10 calendar days of receiving a notice under paragraph (c)(2) or (3) of this section, reconsideration of the notice. The State will have an opportunity to present its views and arguments if desired. The State must submit such a request to the Secretary and may include views and arguments on the matters the Secretary is to decide under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. The Secretary must respond to the State's reconsideration request within 30 calendar days of receiving the request. (6) Concurrence of the Department with a determination, redetermination, or decision must not be presumed from the absence of a notice issued pursuant to this section. (d) Payment when due. If the determination, redetermination, or decision in question awards TAA Program benefits to an individual, the benefits are “due” within the meaning of section 303(a)(1) of SSA (42 U.S.C. 503(a)(1)), and therefore must be paid promptly to the individual. Payments to the individual may be temporarily delayed if a redetermination is issued not more than 1 business day following the day on which the first payment otherwise would be issued to the individual; and the State seeks an expedited appeal decision within not more than 2 calendar weeks after the appeal is filed. If the redetermination is not issued or the appeal is not filed within the time limit in the preceding sentence, or the decision on appeal is not obtained within the 2-calendar week limit in the preceding sentence, or any decision on appeal is issued that affirms the determination, redetermination, or decision awarding benefits under this part or allows it to stand in whole or in part, the benefits awarded must be paid promptly to the individual.

20 C.F.R. § 618.844 Inviolate rights to Trade Adjustment Assistance or Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance.

(a) Except as specifically provided in this part, the rights of individuals to TAA Program benefits will be protected in the same manner and to the same extent as the rights of persons to UI are protected under the applicable State law. Such measures must include protection of applicants for TAA Program benefits from waiver, release, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, levy, execution, attachment, and garnishment of their rights to TAA Program benefits, except as provided in §§ 618.832 (overpayments; penalties for fraud) and 618.836 (recovery of debts due the United States or others by TAA offset). (b) In the same manner and to the same extent as the rights of persons to UI are protected under the applicable State law, individuals must be protected from discrimination and obstruction in regard to the right to seek, apply for, and receive any TAA Program benefit.

20 C.F.R. § 618.848 Veterans' priority of service.

The State must give priority for approval and funding of TAA Program benefits (including training, where the approval of training criteria are met) to a trade-affected worker meeting the veterans' priority of service criteria established under 38 U.S.C. 4215.

20 C.F.R. § 618.852 Recordkeeping and disclosure of information requirements.

(a) Recordkeeping. (1) Each State must make and maintain such records pertaining to the administration of the Act as the Department requires and must make all such records available for inspection, examination, and audit by such Federal officials as the Department may designate or as may be required by law. (2)(i) States must maintain records that contain any information that the Department determines to be appropriate in support of any reports that the Department may require, including those reports specified in §§ 618.860(f) (general fiscal and administrative requirements and cost classification) and 618.864(e) (TAA Program performance). (ii) States must maintain records as required by 2 CFR 200.333 for 3 years, or as indicated at 2 CFR 200.333(a) through (f). (3) States must comply with the records requirements established in the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200.333 through 200.337. (4) States must document that they provided or offered the employment and case management services described in subpart C of this part to all trade-affected workers, either in a paper-based or electronic case management system. States must make these systems available for review upon request by the Department. Additionally, the case management file of each participant must demonstrate that the State notified each worker of the training enrollment deadlines set forth in proposed § 618.725(a). (b) Disclosure of information. (1) Information in records maintained by a State in administering the Act must be kept confidential, and information in such records may be disclosed only in the same manner and to the same extent as information with respect to UI and the entitlement of individuals thereto may be disclosed under the applicable State law. Such information must not, however, be disclosed to an employer or any other person except to the extent necessary to obtain information from the employer or other person for the purposes of this part. The provision in this paragraph (b)(1) on the confidentiality of information maintained in the administration of the Act does not apply in the following circumstances: (i) Disclosures to the Department; (ii) For the purposes of § 618.832 or paragraph (a) of this section; (iii) For providing information, reports, and studies required by § 618.856 (information, reports, and studies); or (iv) Where nondisclosure would be inconsistent with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). (2) Where a State obtains confidential business information as part of assisting in an investigation under subpart B of this part, it must protect that information as required under that subpart. (c) Format of records and forms. Forms and records used and maintained by States in the administration of this part may exist in paper or electronic form or a combination thereof. Regardless of the medium, these records must be available and accessible as required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section for oversight purposes. (d) Electronic signatures. Electronic signatures are allowed where such use is in accordance with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (Pub. L. 106-229).

20 C.F.R. § 618.856 Information, reports, and studies.

A State must furnish to the Department such information and reports and conduct such studies as the Department determines are necessary or appropriate for carrying out the purposes of the Act and this part.

20 C.F.R. § 618.860 General fiscal and administrative requirements and cost classification.

(a) Uniform fiscal and administrative requirements. (1) Each State receiving funds allocated for the TAA Program from the Department as an agent of the United States, must administer the TAA Program in accordance with the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR part 2900 and with the funding agreement. (2) A State may expend funds awarded to it during a Federal fiscal year to carry out TAA Program activities under sections 235 through 238 of the Act during that Federal fiscal year and the succeeding 2 Federal fiscal years. (3) Equipment, as described in 2 CFR 200.33 and computing devices, as described in 2 CFR 200.20, includes equipment acquired with TAA funds under both current and prior Agreements. (4) The addition method, described at 2 CFR 200.307, must be used for all program income earned under TAA grants. When the cost of generating program income has been charged to such grant, the gross amount earned must be added to such grant. However, when these costs have not been charged to such grant, the cost of generating program income must be subtracted from the amount earned to establish the net amount of program income available for use under such grant. (b) Administrative costs. (1) The administrative cost limit for the fiscal year program funding allocation for training, job search assistance, and relocation allowances is included in the TAA Program Annual Funding Agreement, with which States must comply. (2) For purposes of the TAA Program, the costs of administration are the costs associated with performing the overall general administrative functions of the TAA Program in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (xviii) of this section and the coordination thereof within the American Job Center network established under WIOA: (i) Accounting, budgeting, financial and cash management functions; (ii) Procurement and purchasing functions; (iii) Property management functions; (iv) Personnel management functions; (v) Payroll functions; (vi) Coordinating the resolution of findings arising from audits, reviews, investigations, and incident reports; (vii) Audit functions; (viii) General legal services functions; (ix) Developing systems and procedures, including information systems, required for these administrative functions; (x) Processing applications for benefits under the Act; (xi) Rendering and issuing eligibility determinations under the Act; (xii) Performing oversight and monitoring responsibilities related to administrative functions; (xiii) Costs of goods and services required for administrative functions of the program, including goods and services such as rental or purchase of equipment, utilities, office supplies, postage, and rental and maintenance of office space; (xiv) Travel costs incurred for official business in carrying out administrative activities or the overall management of the TAA Program; (xv) Costs of information systems related to administrative functions (i.e., personnel, procurement, purchasing, property management, accounting, and payroll systems), including the purchase, systems development, and operating costs of such systems; (xvi) Processing waivers of training requirements under subpart G of this part; (xvii) Collecting, validating, and reporting data required under the Act; and (xviii) Providing RTAA under subpart E of this part. (3) Awards to subrecipients or contractors that are solely for the performance of administrative functions constitute administrative costs. (4) Personnel and related nonpersonnel costs of staff that perform both administrative functions specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section and programmatic services or activities must be allocated as administrative or program costs to the benefitting cost objectives/categories based on documented distributions of actual time worked or other equitable cost allocation methods. (5) Costs of the information systems in paragraphs (b)(5)(i) through (iii) of this section, including the purchase, systems development, and operational costs, are charged to the program category: (i) Tracking or monitoring of participant and performance information, including employment and case management services and activities; (ii) Employment statistics information, including job listing information, job skills information, and demand occupation information. States must leverage existing resources provided under other Federal programs; and (iii) Maintenance and enhancement of the systems specified in paragraphs (b)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section. (6) Wherever possible, States must make efforts to streamline the administrative activities and services listed in this section by minimizing duplication and effectively using information technology to improve services and leveraging resources across programs. (c) Prior approval. (1) Equipment purchases under the TAA Program are subject to the provisions at 2 CFR 200.313. In compliance with 2 CFR 2900.16, prior approval is hereby provided for equipment purchases under the TAA Program. (2) As provided in 2 CFR 200.439(b)(1), the Department retains the prior approval requirement related to capital expenditures (2 CFR 200.13) and for capital assets (2 CFR 200.12) other than equipment. (d) Audit and oversight requirements. (1) All States, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities that are recipients or subrecipients of TAA Program funds must follow the audit requirements under 2 CFR 200.500 through 200.521 and 2 CFR 2900.20. (2)(i) Oversight and monitoring. Each recipient and subrecipient of funds under the Act must conduct regular oversight and monitoring of its program and those of any subrecipients and contractors, as required under section 239(i) of the Act, as well as under 2 CFR part 200, including 2 CFR 200.328, 200.330, and 200.331, and Department exceptions at 2 CFR part 2900, in order to: (A) Determine that expenditures have been made against the proper cost categories and within the cost limitations specified in the Act, the regulations in this part, and administrative guidance; (B) Determine whether there is compliance with other provisions of the Act, the regulations in this part, and administrative guidance; (C) Assure compliance with 2 CFR part 200 and the Department's exceptions at 2 CFR part 2900; and (D) Determine compliance with the nondiscrimination, disability, and equal opportunity requirements of section 188 of WIOA, including the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3003). (ii) Resolution of subrecipient-level findings. (A) The Governor is responsible for resolving findings that arise from the monitoring reviews, investigations, other Federal monitoring reviews, and audits (including under 2 CFR part 200) of subrecipients awarded funds through the Act. (B) A State must use the written monitoring and audit resolution, debt collection and appeal procedures that it uses for other Federal grant programs. (C) If a State does not have such written procedures as described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, it must prescribe standards and procedures to govern this grant program. (D) For subrecipients awarded funds through a recipient of grant funds, the direct recipient of the grant funds must have written monitoring and resolution procedures in place that are consistent with 2 CFR part 200. (iii) Resolution of State findings. (A) The Secretary is responsible for resolving findings that arise from Federal audits, monitoring reviews, investigations, incident reports, and audits under 2 CFR part 200 for direct recipients of Federal awards under the Act. (B) The Secretary will use the Department's audit resolution process, consistent with 2 CFR part 2900, subpart F. (C) A final determination issued by a Grant Officer under the process in this paragraph (d)(2)(iii) may be appealed to the DOL Office of Administrative Law Judges under the procedures in 2 CFR 2900.22. (e) Government-wide debarment and suspension, and government-wide drug-free workplace requirements. All TAA Program fund recipients and subrecipients must comply with the Government-wide requirements for debarment and suspension under subparts G and H of 2 CFR part 180 and the Government-wide requirements for a drug-free workplace at 29 CFR part 98. (f) Fiscal reporting requirements for States. (1) In accordance with 2 CFR 200.327 and 2 CFR 2900.14, each State must submit a quarterly financial report to the Department as specified in the reporting instructions approved by OMB. (2) States must report financial data on an accrual basis, and cumulatively by funding year of appropriation. Financial data may also be required on specific program activities as specified in the reporting instructions as approved by OMB. (3) If the State's accounting system is not on the accrual basis of accounting, the State must develop accrual information through best estimates based on an analysis of the documentation on hand. (4) The State must: (i) Obligate funds on not less than a quarterly basis; and (ii) Periodically review obligations and, in an appropriate and timely manner, de-obligate funds when a participant drops, completes, or is no longer eligible for training. (g) Use of funds. Of the funds awarded to the States to carry out sections 235 through 238 of the Act for a fiscal year, the State must use: (1) Not more than 10 percent for the costs of administration, provided in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section; and (2) Not less than 5 percent for employment and case management services under section 235 of the Act. (h) Technology. States must maintain sufficient and effective technology for the purpose of tracking and reporting required participant data, and to provide appropriate services under the TAA Program. (i) Designation of resources for Management Information Systems (MIS) development. States are required to dedicate an appropriate portion of administrative and employment and case management funding under TAA for management information systems development, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance.

20 C.F.R. § 618.864 Trade Adjustment Assistance Program performance.

(a) General rule. Each State must report to the Department comprehensive performance accountability measures, to consist of: (1) The primary indicators of performance described in paragraph (b) of this section; (2) The additional indicators of performance established under paragraph (c) of this section, if any; and (3) A description of efforts made to improve outcomes for workers under the TAA Program that promote efficient and effective program performance as provided in this section. (b) Primary indicators of performance—(1) Primary indicators. The primary indicators of performance shall consist of: (i) The percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the TAA Program who are in unsubsidized employment during the second calendar quarter after exit from the program; (ii) The percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the TAA Program who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth calendar quarter after exit from the program; (iii) The median earnings of workers who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program; (iv) The percentage of those participants enrolled in a training program under subpart F (excluding those in OJT and customized training) who attained a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma, or its recognized equivalent, during participation in or within 1 year after exit from the program; and (v) The percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the TAA Program who, during a year while receiving such benefits, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable gains in skills toward such a credential or employment. (2) Indicator relating to credential attainment. For purposes of paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section, a worker who received benefits under the TAA Program who obtained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent is included in the percentage counted for purposes of paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section only if the worker, in addition to obtaining such a diploma or its recognized equivalent, has obtained or retained employment or is in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential within 1 year after exit from the program. (c) Additional indicators. The Department and a State may agree upon additional indicators of performance for the TAA Program, as appropriate. (d) Use of wage records. States must, consistent with State law, use quarterly wage record information, as defined in 20 CFR 677.175, in measuring the progress on program performance indicators in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. (1) The use of Social Security numbers from participants and such other information as is necessary to measure the progress of those participants through quarterly wage record information is authorized. (2) States that participate in data sharing agreements for the purposes of obtaining wage record information may use such data sharing agreements to obtain wage record information for workers who received benefits under the TAA Program. (3) To the extent that quarterly wage records are not available for a participant, States may use other information as is necessary to measure the progress of the participant. (e) Reporting requirements—(1) Data required. States must report TAA Program demographics, performance, and services data, identified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, to the Department on such forms and in such manner as the Department may prescribe. (2) Data reliability and validity. States are required to establish procedures that are consistent with administrative guidance the Department issues to ensure the data States submit are valid and reliable. (f) Publication of performance results. The Department will publish, annually, through electronic means, including posting on the Department's website, the TAA Program performance results of the States. (g) Control measures—(1) In general. Each State must implement effective control measures to effectively oversee the operation and administration of the TAA Program and ensure the accurate collection of program data. (2) Location. The control measures must be internal to a system used by the State to collect data. (3) Purpose. States will implement these control measures in order to: (i) Oversee the operation and administration of the TAA Program under this part; (ii) Improve the timeliness and verifiability of reported data; and (iii) Verify the accuracy of reported data, and must require: (A) Periodic staff training; (B) Participation in data validation and integrity efforts, as directed by the Department; (C) Data analysis and monitoring on a quarterly basis to identify inaccurate data input; (D) Data analysis and monitoring on a quarterly basis to identify missing data; and (E) Resubmission of required reports upon correcting data the State identifies as a result of paragraphs (g)(3)(iii)(B) through (D) of this section. (4) Monitoring program. In order to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the TAA Program, States must adopt a formal monitoring program designed to review and audit worker files. (i) The monitoring program must be designed to identify and share best practices, identify and correct deficiencies, and identify and address staff training needs. (ii) A minimum quarterly random sample of 20 cases must be audited as part of the monitoring program and must include cases from at least 2 certifications issued under subpart B of this part. (iii) The four quarterly samples within a calendar year must also cover at least four different areas of the State administering the program. (iv) If circumstances preclude a State from meeting the criteria in paragraphs (g)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section, the State must contact the appropriate ETA regional office to design a monitoring program that better suits the TAA Program in that State, and make sure it is sufficient to ensure the accuracy and verifiability of such data. (h) Data on benefits received, training, outcomes, rapid response activities, and spending. Data submitted by the States must be sufficient to provide, at a minimum, the information required in section 249B of the Act, including the following information: (1) The number of workers receiving benefits under the TAA Program; (2) The number of workers receiving each type of benefit, including employment and case management services, training, job search and relocation allowances, TRA (Basic, Additional, and Completion) and RTAA payments, and, to the extent feasible, the HCTC, if available; (3) The average time during which such workers receive each type of benefit; (4) The average number of weeks TRA were paid to workers; (5) The number of workers who report that they have received benefits under a prior certification in any of the 10 fiscal years preceding the fiscal year for which the data are collected under this section; (6) The number of workers who received TAA approved training, classified by major types of training, including but not limited to, classroom training, training through distance learning, training leading to an associate's degree, remedial education, prerequisite education, OJT, and customized training; (7) The number of workers who exited TAA approved training, including who received prelayoff training or part-time training at any time during that training; (8) The average duration of training and the average duration of training that does not include remedial or prerequisite education; (9) The number of training waivers granted, classified by type of waiver; (10) The number of workers who exited training and the average duration of such training; (11) The number of workers who do not complete training and the average duration of the training such workers completed; (12) The average cost per worker of receiving TAA approved training; (13) The percentage of workers who received TAA approved training and obtained unsubsidized employment in a field related to that training; (14) The age, preprogram educational level, and post-program credential attainment of the workers; (15) The median earnings of workers during the second calendar quarter after exit from the program, expressed as a percentage of the median earnings of such workers before the calendar quarter in which such workers began receiving benefits under this part; (16) The sectors in which workers are employed after receiving benefits under this part; (17) Whether rapid response activities were provided with respect to each petition filed; (18) The total amount of funds used to pay for TRA by the State; and (19) The total amount of the TaOA payments to the State.

20 C.F.R. § 618.868 Unemployment Insurance.

UI payable to an AAW shall not be denied or reduced for any week by reason of any right to a payment of TAA under the Act and this part.

20 C.F.R. § 618.872 Travel under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.

(a) TAA Program participants are subject to the FTR at 41 CFR chapters 300 through 304 for all travel paid for with TAA Program funds. (b) Except for the definition of “commuting area,” States may not apply State or local travel policies and restrictions to TAA Program participants receiving reimbursements for travel under the Act. (c) In instances where the FTR is silent or defers to the Federal agency's travel policies, the State must apply the relevant policies of the Department.

20 C.F.R. § 618.876 Verification of eligibility for program benefits.

(a) Overall program eligibility. In addition to all other eligibility criteria contained in this part, an individual must also be authorized to work in the United States to receive benefits under the TAA Program. States are required to verify the status of participants who are not a citizen or national of the United States. (b) Initial verification. All States are required, under section 1137(d) of SSA (42 U.S.C. 1320b-7(d)), to initially verify the immigration status of self-reporting aliens who apply for UI through the system designated by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (or USCIS), currently the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (or SAVE) program. No further verification is required except as described in paragraph (c) of this section. (c) Reverification. (1) Once a State has verified satisfactory immigration status initially, the State must reverify the worker's immigration status if the documentation provided during initial verification will expire during the period in which that worker is potentially eligible to receive benefits under this subchapter. (2) The State must conduct such redetermination in a timely manner, using the immigration status verification system described in section 1137(d) of SSA (42 U.S.C. 1320b-7(d)) or by review of other documentation, as described in that provision.

20 C.F.R. § 618.884 Special rule with respect to military service.

(a) In general. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a State may waive any requirement of this part that the States determines is necessary to ensure that an AAW who is a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces and serves a period of duty described in paragraph (b) of this section is eligible to receive a trade readjustment allowance, training, and other benefits under this part in the same manner and to the same extent as if the worker had not served the period of duty. (b) Period of duty described. An AAW serves a period of duty described in paragraph (a) of this section if, before completing training under section 236 of the Act, the worker: (1) Serves on active duty for a period of more than 30 days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 days; or (2) In the case of a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or Air National Guard of the United States, performs full-time National Guard duty under 32 U.S.C. 502(f) for 30 consecutive days or more when authorized by the President or the Secretary of Defense for the purpose of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds.

20 C.F.R. § 618.888 Equitable tolling.

(a) A TAA Program deadline must be equitably tolled when: (1) An extraordinary circumstance prevented an individual's timely action; and (2) The individual otherwise acted with diligence. (b)(1) When an individual fails to take timely action because the State failed to give notice required under this part, that failure is prima facie evidence of an extraordinary circumstance. (2) If the individual did not receive the required notice, but otherwise received actual notice with sufficient time to take timely action, the lack of receipt of the required notice is not evidence of an extraordinary circumstance. (c) A TAA Program deadline equitably tolled under this section is tolled for the time period during which the extraordinary circumstance exists. Once that circumstance is resolved, the time period that was tolled begins to run again. (d) Equitable tolling may extend an otherwise expired TAA Program deadline by no more than 36 months.

20 C.F.R. § 618.890 Staffing flexibility.

(a) Staff employed under a merit personnel system as provided in section 303(a)(1) of the Social Security Act must be used for all reviews of benefit determinations under applicable State law. (b) All determinations on eligibility for TAA Program benefits must be made by State staff, with the exception of the functions in paragraph (a) of this section, which must be made by staff meeting the criteria in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) All other functions under the TAA Program, not subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, may be provided under a variety of staffing models.

20 C.F.R. § 618.894 Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements.

(a) States and subrecipients of financial assistance under the TAA Program are required to comply with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions codified in the Department's regulations at 29 CFR parts 31, 32, 35, and 36. (b) States and subrecipients of financial assistance under the TAA Program are required to comply with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements of WIOA section 188 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 38 if the agency or subrecipient: (1) Operates its TAA programs and activities as part of the one-stop delivery system established under the WIOA; or (2) Otherwise satisfies the definition of “recipient” in 29 CFR 38.4(zz). (c) Questions about the nondiscrimination requirements cited in this section may be directed to the Director, Civil Rights Center, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-4123, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. (d)(1) This section does not affect the rights and protections (and exceptions thereto) available under any other Federal law or regulation regarding discrimination. (2) This section does not affect the rights and protections (and exceptions thereto) available under any other State or local law or regulation regarding discrimination, except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. (3) No State may discriminate on any basis protected by 29 CFR parts 31, 32, 35, 36, and 38 (and exceptions thereto), as applicable, in determining an individual's eligibility for any of the following: (i) Receiving aid, benefits, services, training, or employment; (ii) Participating in any TAA program or activity; (iii) Being employed by any State; or (iv) Practicing any occupation or profession.

20 C.F.R. § 618.898 Applicable State law.

(a) The applicable State law for an AAW remains the applicable State law for such worker until such worker becomes entitled to UI under the State law of another State (whether or not such worker files a UI claim in that other State). (b) For purposes of determining the applicable State law for UI entitlement: (1) A worker is deemed entitled to UI under a State law if such worker satisfies the base period employment and wage qualifying requirements of such State law; (2) In the case of a combined-wage claim, UI entitlement must be determined under the law of the paying State; and (3) In case of a Federal UI claim, or a joint State and Federal UI claim, UI entitlement must be determined under the law of the applicable State for such claims.

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