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On Monday, June 1, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) notified the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) that the state triggered State Extended Benefits (EB). The extension takes effect on May 31, 2020. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), passed as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), previously extended unemployment benefits for 13 weeks starting March 29, 2020. As a result, the first week Texans may be eligible for the additional EB is the week ending in July 4, 2020.
The Extended Benefits Program (EB) is only available during periods of high state or national unemployment. TWC can only pay claimants EB when the 12-week Insured Unemployment Rate (IUR) is 5 percent or more. As of May 31, 2020, Texas’ unemployment rate was 12.8 percent, exceeding the threshold to trigger the extension. Determination of "on" and “off” indicators can be found in TUCA 209.022.
On June 26, 2020, DOL notified TWC that the state triggered onto High Unemployment Period (HUP). Beginning July 5, 2020, HUP will allow for up to an additional seven weeks of benefit payments, or 30 percent of the claimant’s maximum benefit amount (MBA), immediately following the conclusion of EB. The first week TWC anticipates individuals transitioning to HUP is the week ending October 3, 2020.
You do not need to reapply for benefits or take any additional action. If you qualify for Extended Benefits (EB), TWC will automatically enroll you. If you are still unemployed, continue filing your payment request every two weeks.
Read more about the High Unemployment Period (HUP) program.
A High Unemployment Period (HUP) exists when the total unemployment in Texas (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the U.S. Secretary of Labor, for the most recent three months equals or exceeds 8 percent. HUP benefits end immediately when DOL determines that the unemployment rate in Texas falls below federal requirements.
In the state of Texas:
Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) for a state EB claim is the same WBA you received on your regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim:
EB benefits will end with whichever scenario happens last:
OR
Again, HUP benefits end immediately once the three-month average total unemployment rate drops below 8 percent.
To qualify for EB, you must have:
While receiving Extended Benefits (EB), you must make a systematic and sustained search for work. The EB program has different work search requirements than regular unemployment insurance. Please read the information we send you carefully and follow all instructions. If you do not meet all the EB work search requirements, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits.
You must meet all of the following work search requirements for each week you request benefits:
Do not request payment for any week you did not meet these requirements.
If you request payment for a week that you did not meet the EB work search requirements, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits and remain disqualified until you have:
State extended benefits are paid during times of high unemployment in Texas. TWC pays federal extended benefits when the U.S. Congress enacts legislation to create a federal benefit extension program. We notify all potential recipients by mail if an extension is available. Be sure to keep your address updated with us.