TWC bringing back requirements for job searches

The Texas Workforce Commission will reinstate work search requirements for receiving unemployment benefits as the economy continues to recover.

Work search requirements, which were suspended in March when the pandemic forced widespread shutdowns, will resume Nov. 1. Several activities qualify as a work search such as registering on WorkInTexas.com, creating a reemployment plan and creating or uploading a résumé to online job boards.

A full list is available on the Texas Workforce Commission website.

Three searches per week are required and must be reported every two weeks. TWC Executive Director Ed Serna said he understands the COVID-19 crisis isn’t over, but there are more job opportunities nowthan therewere in the spring.

“Let me be clear: we are not over it,” he said. “But we’re seeing employment opportunities begin to bounce back in Texas as our economy restarts.”

The Texas unemployment rate has fallen by about half to 6.8 percent from its 13.5 percent peak in April. Unemployment, however, is still double the rate of a year ago. More than 40,000 workers are filing first-time claims for unemployment each week, three to four times higher than a year ago.

Furloughed workers with a definite return to work date that is within 12weeks of the layoff are exempt from work search requirements. If their return date, however, extends beyond 12 weeks, the workforce commission could re-

quire work searches.

Self-employed individualswho intend to reopen their business also are exempt from work search requirements.

The commission also is reinstating a work requirement for a subsidized child care program, which was also suspended early in the pandemic. About 39,000 Texans are on waiting lists for the program that helps parents cover day care costs.

The change goes into effect Nov. 1, but the Texas Workforce Commission will provide a grace period to parents who have received three or more months of child care benefits following a permanent job loss. They will continue to receive subsidized child care through Nov. 27.