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On December 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Continued Assistance Act, which extends the unemployment benefits claim programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Once the legislation is enacted, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will work to implement the new legislation as quickly as possible. However, TWC must wait on guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor before the provisions of the Act can be implemented. This may cause you to see a break between unemployment payments. If you have an existing claim, you do not need to take any further action. TWC will automatically update your claim and inform you of your potential eligibility. We will update this page with new information when it becomes available.
Note: TWC cannot take any action prior to the effective date of any new legislation.
The Texas economy continues to reopen, and Texans are returning to work. There are a large number of available jobs providing Texans with new work opportunities. For help finding your next job, please visit www.MyTXCareer.com or www.WorkInTexas.com and use the virtual and in person services at local Workforce Solutions offices throughout the state.
You may also want to call the 2-1-1 system to learn more about the human services available in your community, such as rent and utility assistance, SNAP food stamp benefits, health insurance programs, and much more. Contact a 2-1-1 specialist by calling the number 211 or by visiting www.211.org.
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued an unemployment insurance phishing fraud alert.
Alert! Be aware of unemployment insurance scams and fraudulent phone calls. Do not give your personally identifiable information like your date of birth or your Social Security number to anyone you are not sure of.
You can also report suspected unemployment benefit fraud by using TWC’s Report Fraud portal, by emailing TWC.fraud@twc.state.tx.us or by calling our Fraud Hotline at 800-252-3642.
As Texas continues to reopen, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is reinstating work search requirements for all claimants beginning November 1, 2020. Work search requirements were suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of November 1, 2020, to remain eligible for unemployment benefits claimants are required to:
Claimants must certify they are completing their required number of work searches each week when they request benefit payment.
For help finding your next job, please visit www.MyTXCareer.com or www.WorkInTexas.com and use the virtual and in person services at local Workforce Solutions offices throughout the state.
For more information see Work Search Requirements for Unemployment Benefits
Thinking about changing careers or getting a different kind of job? TWC offers Texas residents the opportunity to improve their skills and learn new skills through our Skills Enhancement initiative and Metrix Learning.
Metrix Learning provides unlimited access to over 5,000 Skillsoft courses in English and Spanish plus more specialized courses, such as medical billing and coding and mathematics. Each course completion that you pass can build your skill level, and a Metrix course that is completed with a passing score can be one of your work search activities.
For more details see our Skills Enhancement Initiative Career Tools webpage.
At the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the health and well-being of our employers, employees and communities is our top priority. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of our customers as the situation evolves.
Note: All information regarding Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is subject to change at any time due to the changing nature of the pandemic. Please revisit this page regularly for updates.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is working with federal, state and local government officials and agencies to help manage the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On Friday, March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster relating to the pandemic.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the pandemic and partnering with health agencies and health care providers to contain the spread of the illness and help people deal with its effects.
To apply for benefits online, view your claim and payment status, request a payment, view your electronic correspondence and much more, log on to Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS). UBS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To apply for benefits by phone or to speak with a TWC customer service representative, call our Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
To request benefit payment, change your payment option, hear your claim and payment status and much more, call Tele-Serv, our automated phone system, at 800-558-8321.
Looking for a job? If you need help accessing MyTXCareer.com or WorkInTexas.com or updating your account, contact your local Workforce Solutions office. To find the workforce office nearest you, visit our Workforce Solutions Directory.
If you have questions about unemployment programs or if you need to apply for benefits, review our Unemployment Benefits web pages for general information about unemployment benefits, eligibility, benefit amounts, and how we pay you.
For help in preparing to apply for benefits, review our tutorials on our Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) web page. There, we have tutorials on how to:
These web pages and tutorials provide all the information you need to know about what you need to provide during the application process, how the process works, and what happens next.
You can also get answers by reading our Unemployment Benefits Handbook or by connecting with “Larry the Chat Bot” by selecting the Chat With Us link at the bottom of every TWC webpage.
Our unemployment web pages, our handbook, and our tutorials – and even our online apply for benefits program – are also available in Spanish. Look for the “Ver esta página en español” link near the top right of every unemployment webpage. Spanish applicants can apply for benefits online in Spanish at Servicios de Beneficios de Desempleo.
If you have already applied for unemployment benefits, DO NOT APPLY AGAIN. TWC will determine which pandemic unemployment benefits program you are eligible for and will notify you by mail or electronic correspondence. Make sure to request benefit payment on the date listed on the filing instructions we provided you when you applied, and every two weeks after that on your filing day. If you are working part-time while receiving benefits, you must report all work and earnings for each week you worked when you request benefit payment. You must report payments from your employer for wages paid, sick leave, vacation leave, COVID-19 payment and payments from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If you lost your part-time job but are still working full-time, you are not eligible for unemployment benefits because you are not unemployed.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law on March 27, 2020, included the creation of the following programs to provide unemployment benefits to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
If you are receiving unemployment benefits because you are unemployed or were furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TWC determines your eligibility for one or more of these claim types if they are still available.
If you are self-employed, an independent contractor (1099), or a gig worker, see Self-Employed Texans and the CARES Act for more information on what unemployment benefits you may be eligible for.
Note: All pandemic programs or additional pay programs have expiration dates. TWC cannot pay claimants benefits under expired programs and cannot extend or modify the expiration dates without action from the U.S. Congress. Program expirations cannot be appealed.
On December 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Continued Assistance Act. The Act extends all pandemic unemployment benefits claim programs established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
Once the legislation is enacted, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will work to implement the new legislation as quickly as possible. However, TWC must wait on guidance from the U,S. Department of Labor before the provisions of the Act can be implemented. This may cause you to see a break between unemployment payments. If you have an existing claim, you do not need to take any further action. TWC will automatically update your claim and inform you of your potential eligibility. We will update this page with new information when it becomes available.
Note: TWC cannot take any action prior to the effective date of any new legislation.
Before you can receive unemployment benefits under any pandemic program claim, TWC must first determine whether you are eligible for a regular unemployment benefits claim. To be eligible for a regular claim, you must:
For more information see: Unemployment Benefits
Once you exhaust your regular unemployment benefits claim, you may be eligible for one of the pandemic program claims. Note: You do not need to apply for benefits again. TWC will review your claim, determine which program you are eligible for and automatically enroll you in the correct program, if that program is still available.
If you are not eligible for a regular unemployment claim, you may be eligible for a claim under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. See the section below.
The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program will be extended for an additional 11 weeks, from 13 weeks up to 24 weeks total. The first week TWC can pay benefits on this extension is the benefit week ending January 2, 2021. The last date TWC can accept any new PEUC claim will be the week of March 7, 2021. The last payable week for most PEUC claims will be benefit week ending (BWE) March 13, 2021. PEUC claimants who have not exhausted benefits by March 13, 2021, may continue to request payments during a phase-out period that ends with BWE April 10, 2021.
The PEUC program provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits to those claimants who have exhausted a regular unemployment claim but whose employment is still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information see: Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
To be eligible for PEUC, claimants must:
The Extended Benefits Program (EB) is only available during periods of high state or national unemployment, such as that caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Once Texas triggers off the high unemployment rate, TWC will stop paying EB.
Extended Benefits are available to those claimants who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefit claims and their Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) claims. Although Texas triggered on to EB at the end of May, the first week that claimants may receive EB is the week ending on July 4, 2020. EB extends unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks or up to an additional 50 percent of the claimant’s original maximum benefit amount (MBA), whichever is less. Claimants will receive their same weekly benefit amount under EB.
For more information, see Extended Unemployment Benefits in Texas.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program temporarily expands unemployment benefit eligibility to self-employed workers, gig economy workers, part-time workers, and others impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who might not otherwise be traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program will be extended for an additional 11 weeks, from 39 weeks up to 50 weeks total. The first week TWC can pay benefits on this extension is the benefit week ending January 2, 2021. The last date TWC can accept any new PUA claim will be the week of March 7, 2021. The last payable week for most PUA claims will be benefit week ending (BWE) March 13, 2021. PUA claimants who have not reached the 50-week limit may be eligible to receive benefits during a phase-out period that ends with BWE April 10, 2021.
PUA benefits may be available for those claimants who:
Claimants filing for or moving to a new claim for PUA after January 31, 2021, must provide proof of employment, self-employment, or prospective employment within 21 days of filing the claim. Failure to provide proof may disqualify the individual from receiving PUA. Any claimants currently receiving PUA on or after December 27, 2020, must provide proof of employment, self-employment, or prospective employment within 90 days. Failure to provide proof may disqualify the individual from receiving additional PUA benefits and could impact benefits received in the past.
For more information, see Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
For more information, also see Self-Employed Texans and the CARES Act.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) will provide a $300 weekly payment in addition to any weekly unemployment benefit payment through benefit week ending (BWE) March 13, 2021. The first week TWC can pay this additional payment is the benefit week ending January 2, 2021. TWC cannot pay any FPUC payments for any weeks from July 27 to December 27, 2020, as per federal guidelines. Claimants must be receiving regular unemployment, PEUC, Extended Benefits (EB) or PUA to receive this payment.
These payment programs have expired. TWC cannot pay claimants benefits under expired programs and cannot extend or modify the expiration dates without action from the U.S. Congress. These program expirations cannot be appealed.
Texas entered into a High Unemployment Period (HUP) as of June 26, 2020, which allowed TWC to extend benefits for eligible claimants for an additional seven weeks of benefit payments, or 30 percent of the maximum benefit amount (MBA), whichever is less, immediately after they exhausted their EB benefits. The HUP period and HUP benefits end in Texas as of the week ending October 10, 2020.
For more information see High Unemployment Period (HUP).
The Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program provided supplemental payments to eligible unemployment benefits claimants who were unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Eligible Texas claimants received a $300 LWA payment along with their unemployment benefits payment.
TWC paid LWA benefits to claimants from the week ending August 1, 2020, through September 5, 2020. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notified TWC on September 9, 2020, that funding for the LWA program ended with the benefit week ending September 5, 2020.
TWC will not pay any $300 LWA benefit payments for any benefit weeks after September 5, 2020.
TWC will continue to pay eligible claimants for these approved six weeks for as long as the existing FEMA funds deposited to TWC remain available. Claimants will continue to receive normal weekly benefit amounts for any benefit weeks for which they are eligible.
For more information see the Lost Wages Assistance Program.
During the pandemic, U.S. Department of Labor guidance provides that federal law permits significant flexibility for states to provide Unemployment Insurance (UI) services related to COVID-19. Based on this, TWC waived the waiting week for those claimants affected by COVID-19.
For more information, see the following: Unemployment Eligibility Scenarios for Job Seekers
If you have been impacted by COVID-19, locate information and resources for employers seeking workers or as a jobseeker seeking employment or other support services sign-up for TWC COVID-19 updates.
At present, the U.S. government and Texas legislature have not changed any laws or rules concerning unemployment benefits during the pandemic. However, Department of Labor guidance provides that federal law permits significant flexibility for states to provide Unemployment Insurance (UI) services related to COVID-19. Based on this, TWC will be waiving work search requirements for all claimants and the waiting week for those claimants affected by COVID-19.
Apply for benefits as soon as you are unemployed because your claim starts the week you complete the application. However, you may not apply until after your last work day. We cannot pay benefits for weeks before your claim effective date. The effective date is the Sunday of the week in which you apply.
The Texas Unemployment Insurance (UI) program pays benefits to those individuals who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. TWC determines benefit eligibility based on past wages, why someone lost their job, and ongoing eligibility requirements.
Unemployment benefits are taxable. Unemployment benefits must be reported on your federal tax return. A record number of Americans are applying for unemployment compensation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you received unemployment benefits, as well as the additional $600 per week in coronavirus relief any time during tax year 2020, your tax return may be affected.
You can ask TWC to withhold federal income taxes from your unemployment benefit payments. For more information, see: Federal Income Taxes & Your Unemployment Benefits.
If you are a teacher or a school employee working in a non-instructional position, TWC considers two primary considerations to determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits:
For more information see If You Worked for a School
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Appeals hearings are proceeding as scheduled. However, due to the unprecedented number of unemployment benefit claims that resulted from the pandemic, we are experiencing a significant delay processing and scheduling appeals. We are working to resolve all issues as quickly as possible.
If you have a hearing scheduled, please participate according to the directions on the Notice of Hearing. If you have any questions or concerns about participating in the hearing related to COVID-19, please contact your hearing officer directly using the contact information on your Notice of Hearing.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
For more information on the status of COVID-19 in Texas, see the DSHS website at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.
Texans who have lost employment-based health insurance can find information and resources on the Texas Department of Insurance's COVID-19 Resource page. Available resources include:
While many businesses have had to close their doors, TWC is hiring. To view and apply for jobs at TWC, select the TWC Jobs link under the Quick Links menu on twc.texas.gov or visit WorkInTexas.com.
For TWC news and information, see Recent Press Releases and our News page.