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The Office of Employer Initiatives (OEI) has established this site to ensure that Small Businesses have access to information and resources that will assist them in remaining economically viable in light of the COVID-19 challenges we are facing.
Our focus is on the needs of Small Businesses and ensuring a statewide response and coordination with all available local, state and federal resources.
"The state of Texas is strong; our people, resilient. As we saw during Hurricane Harvey, when neighbors help neighbors, our resilience is redoubled. And I have no doubt that Texans will continue to work together in that same spirit over the coming days and weeks."
- Governor Greg Abbott
For more information on how the State of Texas is handling the pandemic, see Governor Greg Abbott’s website.
The employer commissioner's office represents the Texas business community, furnishing a wide variety of services to employers including informational materials, employment law seminars, an 800 number and a quarterly newsletter.
Employers may contact the Commissioner's office for information, advocacy and assistance with unemployment compensation and wage claim cases, and other workplace concerns such as employee policy issues. The Commissioner's staff includes four attorneys who are available to answer your questions.
Contact Information: Call – 800-832-9394 or employeeinfo@twc.texas.gov
Requires certain employees to provide employers with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. In general, employees of private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees, and certain public sector employers, are eligible for up to two weeks of fully or partially paid sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons. Effective April 1, 2020 and apply to leave taken between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
The American Rescue Plan makes certain benefits available to small business and other employers including the following:
Employer Credit
The Small Business Administration is providing information on government assistance programs for small businesses. This is to ensure small businesses have access to information on loans, paycheck protection, guidance and local assistance. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy and safe.
Texas SBDCs network is open for business. Each small business service center is available to you during this difficult and unexpected time. One-on-one confidential consulting will continue. The SBDCs network can assist you by email, phone, or video conference. You can get assistance for the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued information to help small businesses and self-employed individuals prepare to file for a loan. The website provides answers and instructions on what you need to do to obtain assistance.
The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus.
Employer services: WDBs provide a full array of job posting and placement services, up-to-date information on the labor market and emerging occupations, recruiting, retention, and training assistance, tax and hiring incentives and more. Due to the spread of COVID-19, Workforce Solutions Offices across the state have had to adjust their schedule and availability. Before you physically go to any office please check the below list to confirm the office is open and its hours. Some offices have moved to offer services virtually. The below list is updated daily at 10:00 a.m., please check back to make sure your information is up-to-date.
For more information visit: https://twc.texas.gov/partners/workforce-development-boards-websites
When businesses close plants or lay off workers. Texas Workforce Solutions can provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. Rapid Response provides early intervention assistance designed to transition workers to their next employment as soon as possible. Rapid Response services are tailored to each company, based on needs of the affected employees.
If you have to close your business either temporarily or permanently and need to lay off employees, you may be able to submit a mass claim for unemployment benefits on their behalf. The Mass Claims program streamlines the unemployment benefit claims process for employers faced with either temporary or permanent layoffs. Employers can submit basic worker information on behalf of their employees to initiate claims for unemployment benefits. You can submit a mass claim request on Employer Benefits Services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To submit a Mass Claim Request:
To submit a Mass Claim Request manually:
Note: If you have already laid off staff, you cannot use Employer Benefits Services (EBS) to submit a Mass Claim. If your layoff date was in the past and you have 10 or more employees affected by the pandemic, you will need to fill out and submit Mass Claims documents manually:
Our Mass Claims department will process your Mass Claim request in the order received.
For more information, see: Mass Claims for Unemployment Benefits
If your business has slowed down due to the pandemic and you need to reduce employee working hours, you may be able to avoid laying off employees by submitting a shared work plan. The Shared Work program provides Texas employers with an alternative to layoffs. TWC developed this voluntary program to help Texas employers and employees withstand a slowdown in business.
Shared Work allows employers to:
Shared Work unemployment benefits are payable to employees who qualify for and participate in an approved Shared Work Plan. Workers may choose not to participate. Employees who qualify will receive both wages and Shared Work unemployment benefits.
For more information, see TWC’s Shared Work web page.
Governor Abbott granted the Texas Workforce Commission’s request to suspend the one-week waiting period, allowing workers in Texas to receive benefits immediately after their unemployment benefit applications are approved.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
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.
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.
We encourage you to use our online tools, and tutorials for Unemployment Tax and Appeals information. 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 taxpayers as the situation evolves.
We encourage you to use our online tools, and tutorials for Unemployment Tax and Appeals information. 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 taxpayers as the situation evolves.
The CDC recommends that all employers consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illness and lower the impact of COVID-19 in their workplace in the event that the illness spreads. All employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19 while ensuring continuity of operations. The CDC has prepared a list of recommended strategies to help employers contain the spread of the illness within their workplace:
The CDC also recommends that employers create a flexible plan to manage sick leave policy and attendance issues, and to implement working remotely and avoiding holding meetings in close quarters. For more information, see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html.
Many families and Child Care programs that participate in the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) subsidized Child Care program have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, many essential workers require Child Care to continue working during the emergency.
TWC has approved multiple policy actions to support families and programs at this time and continues to move quickly to respond to Child Care needs across the state. Please click the link below for more information.
The Governor’s Office website keeps Texans up to date on information pertaining to the Coronavirus. The website provides updates on Executive Orders, Wavers issued by the Governor and other resources to assist Texans during this difficult time.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
These are challenging times for businesses all over the nation. The Texas Comptroller’s office knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there’s so much uncertainty. For Texas businesses that find themselves with taxpayer questions we ask that you contact our Enforcement Hotline at 800-252-8880. Staff is available to assist Texas businesses learn about options concerning tax payments and remaining in compliance. We strongly encourage you to use our online tools, tutorials and other resources for tax services, and establish 24/7 account access on Webfile. We’re standing by to help Texas businesses during these difficult times.
Texas Department of Agriculture
The Texas Department of Agriculture is committed to providing the same high level of service to our customers during the COVID-19 emergency as they've come to expect. Whether we're helping Texas farmers and ranchers continue to provide a safe and dependable food supply, ensuring Texas school children continue to have access to regular, healthy meals or supporting our vital rural hospitals and clinics, the Texas Department of Agriculture is here for Texans.
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is available with any license related issue, including applications, renewals, fees, examinations, continuing education or inspections. If you would like to email customer service for assistance use the following link.
The Texas Department of Insurance continues to provide services to Texans. If you need consumer, business and industry or guidance to insurance industry questions contact our office. Additional information can be researched on the following link.
Skills for Small Business for Employers
WorkIinTexas – Job Site (Find a Candidate, Post Job Openings, Labor Market Information, Employer User Guide)
WorkInTexas – Veteran Services
If you need assistance, please email the Small Business COVID-19 Initiative at SkillsBizC19@twc.texas.gov