FBI Public Announcement
TWC UI Fraud Reporting
If TWC determines that your information has been potentially compromised, TWC will contact you. Businesses or individuals who receive correspondence from TWC when no claim has been filed should report it through our fraud submission portal: https://mft.twc.state.tx.us/form/UIfraudENG If you encounter difficulties with the portal email TWC.fraud@twc.state.tx.us or leave a message at the TWC Fraud Hotline at 800-252-3642
Self-employed Texans
If you are self-employed, a contract worker or previously worked in a position that did not report wages, you may qualify for unemployment and can apply for UI benefits!
If you need to file, please go online to ui.texasworkforce.org or call 1-800-939-6631 to start the process. You will be notified you do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits and be enrolled in disaster unemployment benefits or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
During the application process, when UBS asks non-traditional workers the reason for their job separation, they should select “reduced hours.” If their reduced hours are a result of COVID-19, they should also select “COVID-19” under the disaster impact section. The system will then display questions they need to answer to complete their claim.
After completion, the system will first review the claim for regular unemployment insurance eligibility, which will result in a denial for regular unemployment benefits only. Subsequently, TWC will automatically enroll these applicants in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The initial denial for unemployment insurance may cause confusion but does not affect the PUA eligibility.
For more information visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/self-employed-texans-and-cares-act
Mass Claims
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.
To submit a Mass Claim Request: https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/employer-resources
Need to Reduce Employee Hours? Check out TWC’s Shared Work Program
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:
- Supplement their employees’ wages lost because of reduced work hours with partial unemployment benefits.
- Reduce normal weekly work hours for employees in an affected unit by at least 10 percent but not more than 40 percent; the reduction must affect at least 10 percent of the employees in that unit.
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.
To apply for benefits online, see Unemployment Benefits Services: https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services
For more information, see TWC’s Shared Work web page.
Rapid Response
Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas can assist with customized proactive outplacement services or layoff aversion strategies at no cost. Rapid Response provides early business-focused intervention assistance designed to transition affected workers to their next employment. Our services are tailored to each company, based on the needs of the affected employees. For more information regarding Rapid Response, please email business.solutions@setworks.org.
Currently Hiring
If you are currently hiring and would like to have your openings added to our WorkInTexas.com job portal, please contact our Employer Solutions Representative Contact by calling 1-877-834-5627 to take advantage of the following services:
- Assistance to post your Job opening
- Prescreening your applicants
- Design your Customized Virtual Hiring Event
Employer Work Refusal Documentation
Employee Refused Return-to-Work Offer? If you offered any of your employees a chance to return to work and they refused, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) needs to know. Please report each individual who refused to return to work on our online Employer Work Refusal Documentation form.
More Resources
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – https://www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/COVID-19.asp
- Beaumont Chamber of Commerce – bmtecon.org/business-and-employee-resources
- Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation – setedf.org/coronavirus-aid-information-and-updates.aspx
- Orange County Economic Development Corporation – https://orangecountyedc.com/business-resources/covid-19-business-resources
- Port Arthur Chamber – portarthurtexas.com
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) COVID-19 Resources for Employers: click here.
- TWC Unemployment Benefit Claims Help & Resources for Employers: click here.
- TWC Claimants Guide to Filing for UI Benefits (In English/Spanish): click here.