CCT employees get federal help

Car Component Technologies workers who became unemployed last November when the company closed its Bedford and Merrimack facilities will be eligible to receive benefits through the federal Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which helps workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports.

Under the program, CCT employees who lost their jobs will be able to apply for the program’s benefits. Affected workers who are over age 50 and have entered a full-time job that pays less than their previous position would be able to receive $5,000 per year in income support (for a total of $10,000 over two years) through Alternative TAA. Workers under age 50, and those who are over 50 and do not pursue Alternative TAA, would be able to apply for funds to receive up to two years of job training, income support, job search and relocation allowances.

News of the aid came in a joint announcement by U.S. Sens. Judd Gregg and John Sununu.

In the announcement, Gregg said the money can be used in a variety of ways, including income support, training and health care tax credits — all of which “will help those who lost their jobs immensely.”

According to the Labor Department, a CCT company official applied for these federal benefits on behalf of the displaced workers.

Former CCT employees who seek assistance in applying for TAA benefits can visit servicelocator.org, a Labor Department Web site. – JEFF FEINGOLD