The federal government has allocated an additional $3.6 million for the Trade Adjustment Assistance program in Rhode Island, bringing the total for the 2009 fiscal year to $4.7 million, more than twice the previous year’s allocation.

The program, originally designed to assist manufacturing workers who lost jobs because of foreign competition and outsourcing, is administered by the state Department of Labor and Training. The additional funds will expand the program’s benefits and eligibility requirements. Now workers for companies that provide services, as well as those that produce goods, are eligible for benefits.

Among the expanded benefits, displaced workers will receive up to 130 weeks of cash payments if they are enrolled in full-time job training, up from 104 weeks.

Eligible workers will now receive 100 percent of allowable costs, up to $1,500, for job-search expenses, up from 90 percent, with a $1,250 cap. A tax credit covers 80 percent of monthly health-care premiums, up from 65 percent.

To be eligible for the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, a worker must have been employed by a company certified by the federal government. A company may be certified in several ways: the company itself may apply; three or more workers from a company may apply; a labor union may apply; or the state may apply.

With the exception of the tax credit, only workers from companies that petitioned for trade assistance certification after May 18 will receive the new expanded benefits.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, companies in Rhode Island that have applied for the expanded benefits for their former employees include Oracle Lens Manufacturing, Eastern Screw, Honeywell International Automation & Control Solutions, Birks and Mayors, Microfibres, B.A. Ballou & Co., Victoria & Co. and Leviton Manufacturing.

asmith@projo.com