Recent Press Releases

June 18, 2021 - Texas Unemployment Rate falls to 6.5 percent in May

AUSTIN – In May, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from April 2021. Texas added 34,400 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, making gains in 12 of the last 13 months. Texas added a total of 804,200 jobs since May 2020. Read more about the April unemployment rate in the press release.

June 16, 2021 - TWC Opens Child Care Subsidy Program To Workers Engaged in Job Searches

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission on Tuesday passed a waiver of a rule to allow unemployed individuals to enroll in the child care subsidy program.  Previously, only individuals who were already employed, or participating in education/training, could be enrolled into the child care subsidy program.  Read more about the changes to the child care program in the press release.

June 15, 2021 - Texarkana College Awarded $474,999 in Job-Training and Skills Development Grants

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded Texarkana College $474,999 through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) and Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant programs. Read more about the grants in the press release.

June 15, 2021 - TWC Sets Stable Employer Tax Rate to Promote Continued Business Recovery

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) used legislative authority to set unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates for 2021 at a stable level, consistent with 2020 rates, to avoid burdening Texas businesses with a significant increase of taxes resulting from pandemic-related closures outside of their control. Read more about the tax rate in the press release.

June 14, 2021 - Workforce Readiness: Texas Workforce Commission Supports Continuing Technical Education Programs with $860,579 in Dual Credit Grants

The Texas Workforce Commission awarded a total of $860,579 in Dual Credit and Technical Education grants to six Texas independent school districts to purchase, repair or replace equipment to support new or existing continuing technical education programs.  Read more about the Dual Credit and Technical Education grants in the press release.

June 8, 2021 - TWC Ends COVID-19 Related Work Refusal Guidance

AUSTIN – Following the continued economic recovery in Texas and the announcement of Texas opting out of certain Federal Pandemic Unemployment benefits, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is ending job refusal guidance associated with the COVID-19 emergency orders. To learn more about the changes to job refusal, read the press release.

June 8, 2021 - Benavides ISD Receives $267,890 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant

AUSTIN⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded Benavides ISD a $267,890 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant. The grant will help the district purchase and install equipment to provide students with training for careers in welding. Read more about the grant in the press release.

June 1, 2021 - TWC Launches Training Portal for Restaurant Workers

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in partnership with the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is launching a new Restaurant Recovery Training certification portal for prospective restaurant workers. Part of the larger Restaurant Recovery Initiative, which launched recently, the training allows free and flexible online training to quickly prepare workers for restaurant industry jobs. Read more about the new online training in the press release.

May 21, 2021 - Texas Unemployment Rate falls to 6.7 percent

Austin – In April, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from March 2021. Texas added 13,000 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, making gains in 11 of the last 12 months. Texas added 1,007,100 jobs over the year after shedding 1,452,600 jobs in March and April 2020 due to COVID-19 and measures taken to slow its spread. Read more about the April unemployment rate in the press release.

May 20, 2021 - TWC Updates ID Theft Reporting Portal

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) investigates every unemployment benefit claim to establish the identity of the claimant and to lock accounts that are determined fraudulent. To assist with this key function, TWC has updated its fraud/identity theft reporting portal. The new portal is optimized to better collect information from individuals who believe they have been the victims of identity theft. Read more about the new portal in the press release.

May 20, 2021 - TWC Launches Restaurant Recovery Initiative Iniciativa de recuperación de restaurantes

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in partnership with the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is launching a Restaurant Recovery Initiative to assist Texas restaurants in developing new strategies to operate safely, leverage new technologies and maximize profits in the modern era. The Restaurant Recovery Initiative is built around a series of training videos in English and Spanish that will share best practices to assist employers in adapting jobs to contactless operations and  new service trends. To learn more about the Restaurant Recovery Initiative, read the press release.

May 19, 2021 - TWC Guidance on Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is encouraging all Texans to protect themselves against identity (ID) theft in light of a wave of criminal elements attempting to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits from Texans. Although no TWC systems have been breached, criminal elements are using identities stolen from Texans in an attempt to perpetuate fraud. Texas is part of a broader trend across America of ID thieves targeting state unemployment benefits. Read more about how to protect yourself from ID theft in the release.

May 14, 2021 - Career Signing Days Events for 2021 to Occur in May and June

The Texas Workforce Commission has announced Career Signing Day events for 2021 will take place in May and June. Texas Career Signing Day is an annual statewide event that builds on the concept of a signing day proclamation and provides an opportunity for the Texas Workforce Commission to recognize and celebrate high school students. Read more about Career Signing Days in the press release.

May 13, 2021 - Blinn College and Partners Awarded $287,500 Job-Training Grant

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded Blinn College and its partners a $287,500 Skills Development Fund grant which will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley area. Read more about the Skills Development Fund in the press release.

May 13, 2021 - TWC Warns of Imposter Sites, Phishing

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is warning Texans about cleverly designed fake social media sites and imposter emails designed to look like they come from the agency, but which are really scams seeking to enable thieves to steal Texans’ identities. Texans seeking unemployment benefits are warned not to send any personally identifiable information or transact any business except through TWC’s unemployment insurance (UI) portal or Telecenters. Read more about the dangers of imposter websites for fraud in the release.

May 11, 2021 - TWC Investigating Fraud Cases

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is actively working with local, state and federal partners to actively pursue criminals who are using stolen identities in an attempt to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits. While TWC places prevention of fraud as its highest priority and has successfully stopped over 83 percent of fraud cases in the last year before any dollars go out, the agency is committed to tracking down fraudsters and bringing them to justice. Learn more about TWC efforts to bring identity thieves to justice in the release.

May 6, 2021 - Lamar Institute of Technology and Partners Awarded $307,500 Job-Training Grant

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded Lamar Institute of Technology and their partners a $307,500 Skills Development Fund grant. The grant will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas area. Read more about the Skills Development Fund in the press release.

May 6, 2021 - TWC Warns Past Victims of ID Theft To Be Vigilant against Potential Fraud

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is warning Texans who may have been previous victims of identity theft that their stolen information is at high risk to be used for unemployment insurance (UI) fraud. Nefarious actors are filing record numbers of fraudulent UI claims, but the stolen identities have not been compromised in any of TWC systems. Instead, these identities were stolen through hacking and phishing schemes perpetuated outside of TWC. Read more about the dangers of identity theft in the release.

May 4, 2021 - TWC Approves $790 Million Assistance Package for Child Care in Texas

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) authorized $790 million to support the stability of the child care sector and assist providers in responding to impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency.  These funds, which will be provided to all regulated child care providers, will assist them in addressing the increased operating expenses they have faced as a result of the pandemic. Read more about the child care assistance package in the press release.

May 4, 2021 - TWC Releases Guidance on Overpayments Related to Identity Theft

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is issuing guidance to individuals who receive notices of overpayment due to identity theft, to clarify the best way to respond to such instances. Read more about ID theft and overpayments in the press release.

April 29, 2021 - TWC Measures to Prevent Fraud

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) takes a variety of steps to identify and stop identity theft fraud, one of the fastest-growing Internet crimes in the country. These efforts have allowed TWC to prevent payments to over 509,000 suspicious claimants, frequently before any benefits are paid out. Read more about TWC’s fraud prevention measures in the press release.

April 28, 2021 - Ten Colleges and Universities Awarded Over $700,000 to Host STEM Camps

The Texas Workforce Commission awarded 10 grants totaling $717,377 to Texas universities and community colleges for summer youth camps that focus on science, technology, engineering and math through the Governor’s Summer Merit Program. The grants provide scholarships for students ages 14 to 21 to attend camps that will help prepare them for future high-skill, high-demand jobs. Read more about the Governor’s Summer Merit Program in the press release.

April 27, 2021 - Lone Star College and Partners Awarded $651,516 Job-Training Grant

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded Lone Star College and their partners a $651,516 Skills Development Fund grant. The grant will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast area. Read more about the Skills Development Fund in the press release.

April 27, 2021 - Texans Warned to Protect Data on Social Media

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is encouraging Texans to use extreme caution on social media amid a dramatic increase in identity theft. Although no TWC system has been compromised, a record number of identity theft cases shows just how important it is to be vigilant in securing private information. To learn more about how to protect your identity on social media, read the press release.

April 27, 2021 - The Texas Workforce Commission Recognized for Advancing Educational Equity at Teach For America Honor Roll Gala

AUSTIN – Teach For America has recognized the Texas Workforce Commission as a champion of education. At the Teach For America Honor Roll Gala, TWC was awarded the Institutional Catalyst award which is given to an institution, nonprofit, governmental entity, educational institution, or business which demonstrates collective leadership which advances educational excellence and equity for a large number of students through a sustained commitment to supporting students, schools, and the broader community. Learn more in the press release.

April 22, 2021 - TWC Guidance on Receiving Benefits If You’re the Victim of Fraud

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has issued guidance to individuals who discover they are the victims of identity theft and now need unemployment benefits. Identity theft fraud is now being perpetuated at record rates, but TWC systems have not been compromised and the agency catches and blocks most fraud before any dollars are paid out. To learn more about how to receive benefits if you’re the victim of fraud, read the press release.

April 20, 2021 – TWC Warns Texans About ID Theft

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is warning Texans to protect their identities online amid a wave of unemployment insurance fraud applications. While TWC systems have not been breached or hacked, Texas, like all states, is seeing large numbers of fraudulent applications due to identity theft that occurs outside the system. Learn more about how to protect yourself against ID theft in the press release.

April 16, 2021 - Rio Grande Valley Area ISDs Awarded Nearly $2.7 Million in Grants

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded eleven Jobs and Education for Texans grants totalling nearly $2.7 million to Rio Grande Valley area Independent School Districts. These grants will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions for South Texas, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley and Workforce Solutions Cameron areas. Read more about the Jobs and Education for Texans grants in the press release.

April 16, 2021 - TWC Issues Guidance on Responding To Unemployment Letters

Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is cautioning Texans about the dangers of identity theft and the importance of quickly responding to unemployment benefits letters. Individuals who never applied for benefits but receive letters from TWC saying they did are most likely the targets of identity theft fraud and should report it immediately. Read more about reporting fraud in the press release.

April 16, 2021 - Unemployment Rate unchanged at 6.9 percent

AUSTIN – In March, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 6.9 percent, unchanged from February 2021. Texas gained 99,000 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, marking gains in 10 of the last 11 months. Private sector employment increased 106,600 for the month. Read about the March unemployment rate in the press release.

April 14, 2021 - New Video for Employers Explains How to Report Fraud

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) released a new video for Texas employers that provides instructions on how to report fraud due to identity theft. Unemployment benefits fraud is a crime that creates waste and impacts the employer-supported fund TWC uses to pay unemployment benefits to claimants. Read more about the new video in the press release.

April 2, 2021 - Texans Reminded to Practice Caution Regarding Fraud

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) continues to advise those applying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits that individuals misrepresenting TWC may capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and attempt to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. Read more about how individuals can protect themselves against fraud in the press release.

April 1, 2021 - Texas Launches “We Hire Ability” Employer Recognition Program

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is launching the “We Hire Ability” employer recognition program to celebrate and highlight Texas employers for their commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities and recognizing employers’ important role in helping to ensure a diverse and inclusive Texas workforce. Read more about the program in the press release.

March 29, 2021 - Employers Encouraged to Recognize and Report Fraud

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) continues to advise employers that individuals misrepresenting themselves as former employees or even as TWC staff may capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and attempt to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. UI fraud creates waste and impacts the employer-supported fund TWC uses to pay unemployment benefits to the claimants who need them.  For more about how employers can help stop fraud, read the press release.

March 26, 2021 - Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Approaching - Se Aproxima la Fecha Límite para Asistencia de Desempleo por Desastre

The Texas Workforce Commission reminds individuals, whose employment or self-employment was impacted by the winter storm, that the deadline is approaching to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Read more about the upcoming deadline in the press release.

La Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas les recuerda a las personas cuyo empleo o empleo por su cuenta fue impactado por la tormenta invernal de febrero, que la fecha límite para solicitar Asistencia de Desempleo por Desastre se aproxima. Lee más sobre Ayuda de desempleo por desastre como resultado de la tormenta invernal de Febrero.

Texas Unemployment Rate, 6.9 Percent in February

In February, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 6.9 percent, up from 6.8 percent in January 2020. Texas lost 27,500 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, the first decrease in ten months. Private sector employment moved in the same direction with a decrease of 19,300 positions for the month. Read about the February unemployment rate in the press release.

March 25, 2021 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards Eight Grants totaling $399,586 in Support of Camp Code

The Texas Workforce Commission awarded eight grants totaling $399,586 for Camp Code to focus on increasing the interest of middle school students in coding and computer science. At summer camps throughout the state, students will get hands-on experiences that allow them to learn problem solving and analytical skills while fostering an interest in science, technology, engineering and math related careers with a focus on computer science. Read more about Camp Code in the press release.

March 15, 2021 - Summer Programs Aim to Connect Students with 2,500 Jobs and Promote Careers in STEM

The Texas Workforce Commission announced the kickoff of the Summer Earn and Learn and Explore STEM! 2021 programs. These summer initiatives provide career guidance, hands-on learning and work opportunities to students with disabilities aged 14-22. An estimated 6,800 students have participated in these summer work experiences and summer camps since launching in 2017. Read more about the summer programs in the press release.

March 12, 2021 - Texas Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.8 Percent in January

AUSTIN – Texas added 30,800 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, marking the ninth consecutive month of job growth. Private sector employment moved in the same direction with an increase of 32,600 positions for the month. The Texas unemployment rate for January 2021 was 6.8 percent, down from 6.9 percent in December 2020. Read about the January unemployment rate in the press release.

March 11, 2021 TWC To Continue Paying Benefits Under Stimulus Package

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission will begin paying extended benefits under the new federal stimulus package passed by congress as soon as final Department of Labor guidance is received and TWC updates its system to reflect the changes. The new American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) further extends unemployment benefits claims created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Continued Assistance Act (CAA) passed in December. Programs under this new act will extend benefits through August 29, 2021. Read more about the legislation in the press release.

March 10, 2021 – Texas CREWS Update Makes It Easier for Prospective College Students to Make the Right Choice

AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) have completed a rewrite of the Texas CREWS (Consumer Resource for Education and Workforce Statistics) application. The updates include a new Spanish language option, a more intuitive workflow, improved navigation, and the addition of career schools. The application is now smartphone and tablet friendly. Read more about the updated Texas CREWS application in the release.

March 8, 2021 – TWC Adult Education Funding Helps Texans Get High School Equivalency

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is offering aid to Texans seeking to obtain their Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (or TXCHSE), improve their marketability in the workforce, and increase their earning potential. The high school equivalency subsidy program provides free subsidies for Texans at least 21 years of age to take a GED or HiSET exam. For more information about this high school equivalency program, read the press release.

March 3, 2021 - TWC Conference on Youth in Foster Care To Address Transition to the Workforce

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is hosting a four-day virtual Youth in Foster Care Conference which began March 2 to bring together 350 local, state and national experts, foster care professionals and young adults formerly in foster care to strengthen the connections between private sector, public sector and community-based organizations to create a “network of nurture,” removing barriers for youth in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care. Read more about the Youth in Foster Care conference in the press release.

March 2, 2021 - Disaster Unemployment Aid Now Available for Individuals Affected by the Winter Storm in 18 additional Counties - Ayuda de desempleo por desastre ahora disponible para personas afectados por la tormenta invernal en 18 condados adicionales

The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in 18 additional counties as a result of the February winter storm. Read more about how to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in the press release.

La Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas está aceptando solicitudes de Asistencia de Desempleo por Desastre en 18 condados adicionales como resultado de la tormenta invernal de febrero. Lee más sobre Ayuda de desempleo por desastre como resultado de la tormenta invernal.

February 25, 2021 - Upskilling and Retooling: TWC Shares Strategies used to Help Workers and Businesses During the Pandemic at the Annual South by Southwest Education Conference

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will participate in South by Southwest Education Conference Online taking place virtually March 9-11, 2021. TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez will participate in a panel entitled “Getting back to work: Upskilling and Retooling,” which explores the challenges TWC faced and the strategies used to help workers upskill or reskill into new in demand jobs and help businesses retool to connect to new markets. Read more about the panel in the press release.

February 24, 2021 TWC Postpones Setting 2021 Employer Tax Rates

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today delayed the setting of the employer’s unemployment insurance tax rates to allow for more time for ongoing legislative efforts and the continuing economic recovery to play out. This week, Governor Greg Abbott suspended a section of the Texas Labor Code which paved the way for the TWC decision. Read more about the tax rate postponement in the press release.

February 24, 2021 - Disaster Aid Available in 108 Counties Affected by the Winter Storm - Ayuda por desastre disponible en 108 condados afectados por la tormenta invernal

The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance as a result of the February winter storm. Read more about how to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance related to the winter storm.

La Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas está aceptando solicitudes de Asistencia de Desempleo por Desastre como resultado de la tormenta invernal de febrero. Lee más sobre Ayuda de desempleo por desastre como resultado de la tormenta invernal.

February 23, 2021 - Texas Science and Engineering Fair Seeking Judges for Virtual 2021 Competition

Over 700 Texas middle and high school students will present their outstanding projects virtually as part of the 2021 Texas Science and Engineering Fair. The Texas Workforce Commission continues its commitment to science, technology, engineering and math education and the success of tomorrow’s workforce by co-sponsoring the event for the 20th consecutive year with ExxonMobil. Read more about how you can volunteer to be a judge in the press release.

February 9, 2021 - TWC and TxEDC Launch Statewide Workforce Strategy Initiative

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) announce the launch of a statewide effort to develop a shared workforce development strategy.  The launch of this effort is a direct result of the work done during Governor Greg Abbott’s Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative, which charged the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and TWC to ensure Texans are prepared for jobs in the industries that power the state’s economy.  Read more about the initiative in the press release.

January 22, 2021 - Texas Unemployment Rate Falls to 7.2 Percent in December

AUSTIN – Texas added 64,200 total nonagricultural jobs over the month, marking the eighth consecutive month of job growth in Texas. The Texas unemployment rate for December 2020 was 7.2 percent, down from 8.1 percent in November 2020. Read about the December unemployment rate in the press release.

January 20, 2021 – TWC Approves Additional $81.5 Million To Extend Child Care Enhanced Reimbursements

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) authorized an additional $81.5 million in federal CARES Act funding to extend the 25 percent enhanced reimbursement rate for child care providers in Texas through July 2021. Read more about the child care enhanced reimbursements in the press release.

January 11, 2021 - MyTXCareer.com Helps Texans Find Jobs, Return to Work

The Texas Workforce Commission has launched MyTxCareer.com, a new online job search site designed to help Texans quickly register, search for, and apply for jobs available right now in Texas. Read more about MyTxCareer.com in the press release.