Laid off? Free retraining and job help for dislocated workers

The Dislocated Worker programme is one of WIOA's three funding streams. It targets people who lost jobs through no fault of their own and are unlikely to return to the same industry or occupation, people notified of a layoff, self-employed people whose businesses failed due to economic conditions, displaced homemakers, and some military spouses.

Services include career counselling, job search help, and training paid through Individual Training Accounts for approved programmes. Rapid Response teams often meet workers at large layoffs to explain options.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) historically provided extra training and income support for workers whose jobs were affected by foreign trade, subject to petitions and programme authorisation; check current status with your job center.

You can usually receive unemployment while in approved training, and some states extend benefits for those in training.

The term dislocated worker covers more than a standard layoff. It includes people who received notice of an upcoming layoff, workers whose employer announced a closure within six months, self-employed people whose business failed because of general economic conditions or a natural disaster, displaced homemakers who depended on a family member's income and lost it, and in some cases spouses of active-duty military members who lost jobs because of a relocation. If you fit any of these, ask the American Job Center to assess you.

When a large employer lays off workers or closes, state Rapid Response teams often meet employees at the workplace before the last day to explain unemployment insurance, health coverage options, retraining funds and job search help. If your employer has issued a WARN notice - required for many large layoffs and closures - you may be able to start retraining services before your job actually ends.

Training is usually paid through an Individual Training Account, a voucher-like amount the job center pays directly to an approved training provider. The job center will want to see that the training leads to a job that is in demand locally, so they may steer you toward fields with openings. Supportive services can sometimes cover transport, child care, tools or uniforms during training.

Eligibility is assessed at the job center.

1. Visit an American Job Center

   Bring layoff notice.

2. File for unemployment

   If not already.

3. Meet a counsellor

   Assess options.

4. Choose approved training

   From the list.

5. Get training funded

   ITA.

6. Ask about TAA

   If trade-related.

Dislocated worker

A person who lost a job through no fault of their own and is unlikely to return to the same work, or who fits related categories such as displaced homemaker.

Rapid Response

State teams that respond to large layoffs and closures by meeting workers on site to explain benefits and services.

WARN notice

Advance notice many large employers must give before mass layoffs or plant closures under the federal WARN Act.

Individual Training Account (ITA)

WIOA funding the job center pays directly to an approved training provider for your training.

Displaced homemaker

Someone who worked unpaid in the home, depended on another person's income, and lost that support.

Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)

The state list of training programmes approved for WIOA funding.

• CareerOneStop - find an American Job Centerwww.careeronestop.org
• DOL - Dislocated Workerswww.dol.gov