Attention Displaced Textile Workers:
RE: Federal Benefits

Many of you have spoke to me concerning comparisons of your benefits and those received by former Pillowtex workers. I have ask Senator Dole's office for information and received the below website and phone numbers where you may receive more information about Federal benefits.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is available for all workers that are displaced by foreign competition.

A summary of the federal assistance can be found at http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/2002act_summary.cfm. There is more general information on all forms of federal Department of Labor assistance at http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/2002act_summary.cfm. These benefits are administered via the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. So, many of the workers may have been receiving them without knowing that they were getting both Federal and State benefits. This will not be a panacea. Some people who lose there jobs because a local business shuts down after a factory closes nearby are often not eligible. Also, if the worker has already used up their State and Federal unemployment, then for most of them this program will not help much.

Like any government assistance, there is some paperwork involved. Senator Dole’s Salisbury office has people that are familiar with this process. They can be reached at (704) 633-5011. Briefly, companies have to certify to the U.S. Department of Labor that the production has been lost to foreign competition or shipped overseas and then once a company determination is made, it is easier for individual workers from that company to apply.

As always, if there is anything my office can do to help, please feel free to call.

Rep. Debbie Clary