The U.S. Department of Labor has reconsidered its decision and has granted additional unemployment benefits and worker retraining funds to the former employees of Elizabeth Webbing in Central Falls, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) announced today.
Reed and Kennedy wrote in early August to the Department of Labor on behalf of the 400 employees of the 72-year-old company, which closed in March. The employees were initially denied Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits, awarded to the employees of companies adversely impacted by foreign trade competition.
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While the normal unemployment insurance cover 26 weeks, employees eligible under TAA can be covered up to an additional 78 weeks of unemployment insurance and up to 104 weeks of worker-retraining assistance.
The labor department notified both Reed and Kennedy today that after reconsideration, it was determined that the company’s employees would now be eligible for TAA benefits. The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training will determine which of the employees are certified to take advantage of the additional benefits.
