Lower Unemployment Rate Results in 13-Week Reduction to State’s Extended Unemployment Benefits
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) have announced that due to the state’s improving unemployment rate, Texas is no longer eligible for federally funded Extended Benefits (EB). EB paid up to an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 7.0 percent.
“March marked the seventh consecutive month of unemployment rate decreases in our state, which has remained below the national unemployment rate for 63 months. These are encouraging signs for job seekers and businesses owners seeking to set up shop in Texas,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. “TWC can assist those seeking workforce services through our 28 local workforce boards.”
Texas was notified by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that the state’s three-month average total unemployment rate fell below the mandated level to qualify, resulting in Texas no longer being eligible to pay EB. DOL has informed TWC that May 12, 2012 is the last payable week of EB. The total maximum weeks of UI benefits now available to qualifying individuals in Texas is 73 weeks, down from the previously available 86 weeks. TWC estimates that approximately 32,000 claimants may be affected by this change and will notify all claimants by mail.
TWC can still pay federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) at the Tier I-III levels through December 29, 2012 to qualifying claimants.
For more information and to update contact information, claimants may visit TWC online at ui.texasworkforce.org or contact a UI Tele-Center toll free at 800-939-6631. Reemployment services are available through local Workforce Solutions Offices statewide, or job seekers may visit www.WorkInTexas.com to register and search for job postings.
