HCTC: Eligibility Requirements - Candidate Requirements
This page provides you with information about HCTC candidate requirements, and what to expect if you meet these requirements.
Candidate Requirements
To meet the HCTC candidate requirements, you must be either a:
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Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation payee (PBGC payee) who is 55 years old or older; or
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Trade Adjustment Assistance recipient (TAA recipient) who receives a Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) or is in an approved break in training, or receives Unemployment Insurance (UI) in lieu of TRA, while otherwise eligible for TRA. TAA recipients also must meet eligibility deadlines for enrollment in TAA-approved training or receive a written waiver to maintain HCTC eligibility. The HCTC is also available to Reemployment and Alternative TAA recipients.
If you belong to one of these groups, then you meet the candidate requirements. You will receive an HCTC Eligibility Kit in the mail once the HCTC Program is notified by your state workforce agency or the PBGC that you are a candidate for the tax credit. The Kit will include your HCTC Eligibility Certificate, HCTC Eligibility Guide, and HCTC Monthly Registration Form.
If you have not received the HCTC Eligibility Kit
If you have not received the HCTC Eligibility Kit in the mail, unfortunately, you or your family member likely is not a recipient of PBGC or TAA benefits, or the HCTC Program has not received information about your company's PBGC trustee date or TAA certification. Please note that it can take the PBGC and your state some time to notify the HCTC Program about the event, which may delay the mailing of the Eligibility Kit.
For TAA recipients, if your company was recently trade certified, you must first apply for your trade benefits and start to receive your Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) or Unemployment Insurance (UI) in lieu of TRA before the state is able to notify us of your HCTC eligibility.
If you are not a recipient of PBGC or TAA benefits, then you do not meet the candidate requirements, and are not eligible for the tax credit.
Who To Contact With Questions About Candidate Requirements
If you have questions about pension benefits from the PBGC, call the PBGC at 1-800-400-7242.
If you have questions about trade adjustment assistance (TAA) benefits, please call your state through your local unemployment office or state workforce agency. You also can call the U.S. Department of Labor at 1-877-US-2JOBS to get the phone number of an unemployment office in your area.
To view other HCTC eligibility requirements:
- Go to the HCTC: General Requirements page
- Go to the HCTC: Qualified Health Plan Requirements page
Return to the HCTC Program home page.
Go to the HCTC Quick References page to view a glossary of terms, frequently asked questions and additional resources.
