October 22, 2020 by Nesibe Selma
Texas Workforce Commission to Reinstate Work Search Requirements in November
With the nation beginning its economic recovery, the Texas Workforce Commission will reinstate work search requirements for those in need of unemployment benefits. Work search requirements have been suspended since March when the pandemic forced sweeping shutdowns. Although the COVID crisis is nowhere near resolved, employment opportunities have been steadily cropping up in Texas as the economy slowly adjusts.
When will work search requirements resume?
As of November 1st, 2020, people applying for unemployment benefits will be asked to meet the work search requirements.
What are the work search requirements?
There are several activities that qualify as a work search. Some are:
- Registering on WorkInTexas.com to create a reemployment plan and searching for jobs using their Virtual Recruiter tool
- Registering at a public workforce office
- Creating or uploading a resume to online job boards
Visit the TWC website for a full list of acceptable work search activities.
Every two weeks, you will be required to report 3 searches per week.
If I am a furloughed employee, do I need to fulfill the reinstated work search requirements?
- If you are a furloughed worker with a return to work date within 12 weeks of your layoff, you do not need to fulfill the work search requirements.
- If you are a furloughed worker with a return date that extends beyond 12 weeks, however, you could be required to search for work by the workforce commission.
If I am a self-employed individual, do I need to fulfill the reinstated work search requirements?
If you are a self-employed worker who intends to reopen their business, you do not need to fulfill the work search requirements.
Will work requirements be reinstated for subsidized childcare program as well?
Yes, but the TWC will provide a grace period for parents who have received 3+ months of childcare benefits after a permanent job loss. They will receive subsidized childcare through November 27, 2020.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org
