General Qualifications

• A dislocated worker is someone who has been terminated, laid off or received a "notice of termination or layoff," and is not considered likely to return to his current industry or job, indicates the state of Washington's Work Source website. Additionally, dislocated workers must have experienced one of the following causes of job loss: permanent plant closure, substantial layoff, foreign competition or lack of demand for skills.
  
  

Other Potential Qualifiers

• Along with the examples noted of dislocated worker eligibility, a few other types of workers may meet eligibility requirements. A self-employed person who has lost work because of poor economic conditions or a natural disaster may also be eligible for dislocated worker benefits. Work Source cites farmers, ranchers and fishers as examples, though the site notes these worker types likely would not get unemployment benefits because of their self-employment. A displaced homemaker who is not working or does not make enough income to support the household may also qualify as a displaced worker, but again, is not likely to receive unemployment benefits.
  
  

Dislocated Worker Programs

• A number of government-backed employment training and benefits programs are in place to help dislocated workers effectively and efficiently go back to work. Qualifications vary based on individual criteria. Generally, displaced workers can find support programs for government-funded employment training. Additionally, employees laid off from a job based on the general criteria indicated, initially may qualify for unemployment income benefits, which provide an income substitute while seeking work.
  
  

Other Assistance

• Dislocated workers may meet eligibility for a number of other government and nonprofit support programs, including low-income energy assistance, credit and financial management counseling, food stamps and medical care programs. Specific opportunities vary by state and by the specific qualifications of the dislocated worker. All of these assistance programs help with the emotional and financial burdens that come with losing a job.