Reopening Texas raises questions about who is still eligible for benefits
EL PASO, Texas — In just two weeks, the amount of unemployment benefits given to Texans has nearly tripled.
Now that Texas is reopening, people want to know if those returning to work will still receive unemployment benefits.
With new businesses allowed to open at 25 percent capacity, some people will be going back to work. Some full-time, some part-time with reduced hours.
Texas Workforce Commission officials said unemployment benefits will not stop for those that go back to work, depending on each person’s situation.
TWC asks those returning to work full-time to stop requesting benefits, while those returning to work part-time will receive adjusted payment amounts based on hours worked, entered when you apply for each payment.
Still, nearly two months into the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. some people haven’t been able to successfully apply for benefits.
Those who have been unable to apply for benefits and are now returning to work will still receive benefits for the period they couldn’t work, TWC said.
“If they are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits during the time that they did not work, they will receive those benefits,” Cisco Gamez, spokesperson for TWC, said. “Persons returning to work with reduced hours may still qualify for unemployment insurance. This will vary on a case-by-case basis.”
Those seeking unemployment can find 485,000 jobs available at workintexas.com.
TWC said it is looking into making support is still available to those who are unable to return to jobs as they reopen.
For the latest updates on COVID-19, click here.
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