COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits

Yes, as a result of the federal stimulus packages, you should be eligible for employment benefits if you lose your job or your hours are reduced due to COVID-19 even if you are a contractor, a self-employed worker, or a gig worker.  

The Texas Workforce Commission has specific information about what documentation you will need to provide as a contractor, self-employment worker, or a gig worker. You can find more information here.

Under normal circumstances, a worker who refuses suitable work may not receive unemployment benefits.  Because of the circumstances created by COVID-19, the TWC announced on June 16, 2020 that eligible workers may still receive unemployment benefits if they refuse to return to work because of any of the following reasons:

"Reason for refusal:

• People 65 years or older, and/or people with medical issues, like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or a weakened immune system, or are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID‑19. (Source: DSHS website)
• Household member at high risk – People 65 years or older or are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (source DSHS website).
• Diagnosed with COVID - the individual has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas and is not recovered.
• Family member with COVID - anybody in the household has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas and is not recovered and 14 days have not yet passed.
• Quarantined – individual is currently in 14-day quarantine due to close contact exposure to COVID-19.
• Child care – Child’s school or daycare closed and no reasonable alternatives are available.

Any other situation will be subject to a case by case review by the Texas Workforce Commission based on individual circumstances."

You may be eligible if you lose your job and the family member you are caring for is a sick child. You may not be eligible if the family member is an adult.

To get started you will need:

• Social Security Number
• Last employer's business name, address and phone number
• First and last dates you worked for your last employer
• Number of hours worked and pay rate at the time you apply 
• Military employment (service) start/end dates and a copy of your DD Form 214(s) if you served in the military during the past 18 months
• Your alien registration number, if not a U.S. citizen or national

TWC is processing claims as quickly as possible, but it can take at least four weeks to determine if you are eligible for benefits. Governor Abbott granted the Texas Workforce Commission’s request to suspend the one-week waiting period. You will be able to receive benefits immediately after your unemployment benefit application is approved.  

The Texas Workforce Commission has reinstated its job search requirement effective November 1st. For most receiving unemployment benefits, this means you will need to prove they’ve done at least three job searches per week in order to remain eligible for benefits. Those job searches can be done online. The state had waived the job search requirement due to the pandemic, but with the economy back open, the state said it was time to reinstate the rule. However, Workforce Development Boards in individual counties determine the minimum number of required work search activities – to be based on local job market conditions. See the Required Number of Work Search Activities by County here. You will receive a Notice of Work Search Requirement and the number of weekly work search contacts that you are required to make in order to receive benefit payments. You are required to make a record of your work search efforts by recording the date and details of the work search (type of job, employer name, location, etc.).  Here’s the TWC work search activity log recipients can use keep track of their searches. TWC can request this activity log anytime during your benefit year, so retain a copy of your activity log for your records.  Read more here.

You should apply immediately if you lost your job due to COVID-19.

There is usually a one week waiting period, but the Texas Workforce Commission has waived that requirement for those who have lost their job due to COVID-19.