COVID-19 Resources Job Seekers

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) notified the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) on September 9, 2020, that funding for the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program ended with the benefit week ending September 5, 2020.

TWC cannot pay any $300 LWA benefit payments for any benefit weeks after September 5, 2020.

The LWA program provided supplemental payments to eligible unemployment benefits claimants who have been unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Eligible Texas claimants received a $300 LWA payment at the same time as their unemployment benefits payment.

TWC received funding to pay claimants for the benefit weeks ending (BWE):

• August 1, 2020
• August 8, 2020
• August 15, 2020
• August 22, 2020
• August 29, 2020
• 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.

Read more about the Lost Wage Assistance Program. 

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.

• For more information on how the State of Texas is handling the pandemic, see Governor Greg Abbott’s website at: https://gov.texas.gov/
• For more information on the status of COVID-19 in Texas, see the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

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.

• For the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic, see: https://www.cdc.gov/
• For the most up-to-date information on the U.S. Government’s response, see: https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus

How do you extend your benefits?

• If you recently exhausted benefits, no action is needed from you. We will determine if you qualify and notify you by mail or electronic correspondence of your eligibility.
• We are upgrading our system to adapt to the new legislation. If you attempt to access the system or call prior to receiving notification we will not be able to assist you.

What does the Coronavirus Stimulus Bill mean for me?

• If you are self-employed, a contract worker or previously worked in a position that did not report wages, you may qualify for unemployment!

• Extended Unemployment Benefits in Texas Larger Version

How do you apply?

• If you applied for unemployment benefits but lacked the necessary wages to qualify, no action is needed. We will determine if you qualify under the new stimulus bill and notify you by mail or electronic correspondence of your eligibility.
• We are upgrading our system to adapt to the new legislation. If you attempt to access the system or call prior to receiving notification, we will not be able to assist you.

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.

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Since benefits are paid out every two weeks, your deposit should be double your weekly benefit amount, plus $1,200. Your account will not show the additional $,1200 ($600 per week) until after you request payment.

Where does the $1,200 come from?

On March 29, 2020, the U.S. Congress passed the CARES Act which provides an additional $600 per week to unemployment claimants due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus. This additional $600 per week is automatically added to a qualified account for the weeks ending April 4, 2020 through July 25, 2020. State benefits will continue after July 25.

My payment is higher than it should be? Do I need to send the money back?

Be sure to check your weekly benefit amount. Your payment should reflect double your weekly benefit amount + $1,200. Be sure to subtract tax withholdings if you elected to withhold. If your payments are more than you believe you should be receiving and you have factored in the additional $600 per week, please reach out to TWC.

Best Time to Apply Online or Access Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS)

Having trouble filing an unemployment claim online? Our Unemployment Benefit System (UBS) online portal is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but is experiencing a high volume of visitors. For the fastest response time, log on to UBS between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. to apply for benefits, check the status of your claim, or request benefit payment. If you are new to UBS, you will need to create a TWC Internet User ID when you first log on

You can also apply for benefits by calling our Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Central Time, seven days a week. We are experiencing an increase in call volumes and hold times on our Tele-Center phone lines. Use Unemployment Benefits Services to handle your claim needs quickly. We also encourage you to sign up for Electronic Correspondence so you can receive your TWC communications online as soon as possible.

Log on to UBS to:

• Apply for unemployment benefits
• Sign up for Electronic Correspondence
• Request benefit payment
• Monitor your claim and payment status
• Change your payment option
• Appeal online and view your appeal status: An appeal is your written notice that you disagree with a TWC decision and want your case decided through the appeal process
• Sign up to withhold federal income tax from your benefit payments
  Note: Unemployment benefits are taxable income reportable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under federal law. You must report all unemployment benefits you receive to the IRS on your federal tax return. Tax withholding is completely voluntary; withholding taxes is not required. If you ask us to withhold taxes, we will withhold 10 percent of the gross amount of each of your benefit payments and send it to the IRS.

TWC will investigate why you lost your job and mail a decision explaining whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits. TWC has waived the work search requirement for all claimants at this time.

Appeals Notice

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Appeals hearings are proceeding as scheduled. 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.

Now that you’ve applied for unemployment benefits, you should:

• Set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) if you have not already done so.
  • Call our automated phone system, Tele-Serv, at 800-558-8321. Select Option 4. Enter your Social Security number (SSN), confirm your SSN, then enter your chosen four-digit PIN. Wait for the message “Your new PIN has been accepted.”
• Read our Unemployment Benefits Handbook online.
  • View or download our online Unemployment Benefits Handbook. Our handbook is not only required reading for everyone who applies for unemployment benefits, it contains useful information that answers many questions about claims, benefits payments, contact information, Electronic Correspondence (EC), and much more.
• Sign up for Electronic Correspondence (EC).
  • Log on to Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) online and select Electronic Correspondence from the Quick Links menu. UBS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This free service allows you to receive most, but not all, of your unemployment notices and forms electronically in a secure, online mailbox.
• Choose a benefit payment method, either debit card or direct deposit.
  • Debit Card: TWC’s default option is the ReliaCard^© debit card, provided by U.S. Bank.
    For more information see Receiving Benefit Payments by Debit Card.
  • Direct Deposit: Have your benefit payments deposited directly into your personal checking or savings account at any United States bank or credit union. For more information see Receiving Benefit Payments by Direct Deposit.

  
  You can change your payment option online or by phone:

  • Log on to UBS and select Change Payment Option from the Quick Links menu.
  • Call Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and select option 5.

For more detailed information on unemployment benefits claims, visit our Unemployment Benefits webpage.

• Request benefit payment every two weeks online or by phone. Do not wait for TWC to determine your eligibility:
  • Log on to UBS and select Request a Payment.
  • Call Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and select Option 1.
• Due to high call volume, we have temporarily suspended the requirement to request payments by your assigned date. Please continue to request payments even if its after your assigned day.
   

• For more information see Request Benefit Payments

• Be patient. Although we are processing claims as quickly as possible, it can take at least four weeks for TWC to determine whether you are eligible for benefits. To find out the status of your claim:
  •  Log on to UBS and select Claim and Payment Status.
  • Call Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and select Option 2.
• If you are experiencing financial hardship or need health assistance because of COVID-19, dial 2-1-1, the Texas Social Services Hotline, to get the help you need.

Texans who may 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: 

• Help for consumers who need health insurance.
• How to get help with a mental health issue.
• FAQ on telemedicine, auto policy refunds, and other issues

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.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

For more information on the status of COVID-19 in Texas, see the DSHS website at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/.

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