Texans at risk can not work, receive aid

Exceptions coming for some to still get benefits from TWC

Texas will allow unemployed people at high risk of becoming seriously ill from contracting the coronavirus and those who have high exposure to family members and others with COVID-19 to receive unemployment benefits even if their jobs return after stayat-home orders are lifted in May, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced Thursday.

The Texas Workforce Commission, the state agency that administers unemployment benefits, will make exceptions for people in these categories on an individual basis. Typically, Texans cannot collect unemployment benefits if they are not actively searching for work or refuse suitable work.

High-risk populations include people 65 years or older, people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, people who have a household member diagnosed with COVID-19 and people who are quarantined as a result of close contact with a person who

tested positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, those who live in a household with a high-risk person, such as an elderly parent, also may refuse to go back to work and continue to collect benefits. People who are caring for a child may also refuse to work if no other child care options are available — for example, if the child’s school and day care are closed — and if there are no other caretakers in the household.

The TWC also will evaluate other reasons for refusal on a caseby-case basis.

“Our top priority is protecting the health and safety of all Texans — especially those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” Abbott said in a statement. “This flexibility in the unemployment benefit process will help ensure that Texans with certain health and safety concerns will not be penalized for choosing not to return to work.”