Former FCT US LLC employees can apply for assistance

TORRINGTON — Former employees of Perkin Elmer Health Sciences, Inc. in Shelton and former employees of FCT US LLC in Torrington have been certified as eligible to apply for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.

Available assistance may include training, income support in the form of Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA), and job search and relocation allowances for qualified workers who seek or obtain employment outside their normal commuting areas.

Individuals 50 years of age and older who return to lowerpaying work may be eligible to receive Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) wage subsidies.

The former Perkin Elmer Health Sciences employees worked in the company’s Shelton facility producing analytical instruments, genetic testing and diagnostic tools, medical imaging components, software, instruments and consumables. The former FCT US LLC employees worked in the company’s Torrington facility producing electrical connectors. Both groups were certified on Nov. 1 as eligible to apply for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance.

The Connecticut Labor Department is mailing an eligibility notice regarding the benefits to all affected employees and is providing information on how to apply for benefits.

Employees eligible to apply for federal benefits are those who are or will be totally or partially separated from employment due to lack of work on or after April 26, 2018 and on or before November 1, 2021.

Workers who believe they may qualify, yet do not receive eligibility information, are urged to contact their nearest American Job Center for information and assistance.

Those who need to apply for unemployment benefits are reminded that new claims can now be filed online at www.FileCTUI.com. Information about federal Trade Adjustment Assistance can be found on the Department of Labor’s website at www.ct.gov/dol and entering “Trade Act” in the search bar.