On this page:
- Continued Assistance Act – CARES Act Extension
- New ID Verification Service Protects Your Personal Information
- Employee Refused Return-to-Work Offer? Let Us Know!
- TWC Unemployment News
- Featured Topics
- Learn More About:
- Services for Job Seekers & Employees
- Services for Businesses & Employers
- Unemployment Rate
Continued Assistance Act – CARES Act Extension
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.
Texas Adds New Jobs!
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.WorkInTexas.com and use the virtual and in person services at local Workforce Solutions offices throughout the state.
If You Need Help …
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.
New ID Verification Service Protects Your Personal Information
The Texas Workforce Commission has partnered with ID.me, an identity verification service, to protect your personal information and prevent unemployment benefits fraud.
If you are an unemployment benefits claimant, TWC may ask you to verify your identity through ID.me. The process is fast, easy, and secure. The service is free and ensures that you are the only one who can access your unemployment claim information.
Employee Refused Return-to-Work Offer? Let Us Know!
If you offered any of your employees a chance to return to work and they refused, TWC needs to know. Please report each individual who refused to return to work on our online Employer Work Refusal Documentation form.
TWC Unemployment News
Treasury Offset Program Collection
In October 2016, TWC began issuing letters to former unemployment benefit claimants who have debts that are subject to collection through the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). TOP is a federal program that collects past due debts owed to federal and state agencies by capturing Internal Revenue Service tax refunds to offset these debts. Claimants with an overpayment caused by incorrectly reported earnings, fraud and fraud penalties are subject to TOP. For more information, go to Overpayment of Unemployment Benefits.
U.S. Bank Debit Card
If you are paid benefits by debit card, you will automatically receive a U.S. Bank ReliaCard® in the mail. For more information, go to Receiving Benefits by Debit Card.
Electronic Unemployment Benefits Correspondence
Would you like to go paperless? Sign up for Electronic Correspondence to access to your unemployment benefits correspondence online, using a secure, personal inbox.
- Claimants: sign up using Unemployment Benefits Services
- Employers: sign up using Employer Benefits Services
Featured Topics
- You can appeal a TWC unemployment benefits decision using on online appeal form.
- Claimants: go to How to Appeal a Decision
- Employers: go to How to Appeal a Decision- For Employers
- Make sure you meet your work search requirements by logging your efforts on TWC’s work search log
- If you were previously disqualified, you can find information on how to end your disqualification.
- If your If your last work was temporary employment, find out how temporary work affects your benefits
Learn More About:
Income Taxes & Your Unemployment Benefits
You must report all unemployment benefits you received to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on your federal tax return. We mail IRS Form 1099-G in January, which provides all the information you need to report your benefits.
Beginning in mid-January, you can find the amount of benefits we paid you and any federal taxes withheld on Unemployment Benefits Services (View IRS 1099-G Information) or by calling Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 (select option 2). TWC staff does not have that information before mid-January.
Find information on reporting your unemployment benefits to the IRS