Texas Workforce Commission Extends Unemployment Call Center Hours
By Texas Workforce Commission
Posted on March 23, 2020, March 23, 2020

Unemployment Form The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is expanding hours of operation for its unemployment benefit services tele-center. In a response to an unprecedented call volume as a result of COVID-19, TWC tele-center hours will now be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Individuals seeking to file unemployment claims are asked to first begin their claim process through the unemployment benefit services online portal. Should the need arise to speak to a representative, claimants are then asked to call TWC unemployment services center at 800-939-6631.

In response to a high number of PIN retrieval requests, TWC updated our PIN retrieval policy. PINs created prior to 2015 have been removed from the system effective March 22, 2020. Individuals needing to retrieve a PIN that was created prior to 2015 are asked to please login again online and reset their PIN. Please note, claimants who meet these requirements but have an overpayment will still need to call to retrieve their PIN.

For workers affected by COVID-19, following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s instructions, TWC has waived the waiting week for Unemployment Benefits. The waiting week is the first payable week of an individual’s claim for Unemployment Benefits. Under normal circumstances, TWC cannot pay for the first week of a claim until an individual receives two times their weekly benefit amount and returns to full-time work or has exhausted their benefits. However, by waiving the waiting week, Gov. Abbott has provided the opportunity for TWC to provide immediate relief to Texans who need it.

In addition to waiving the waiting week, TWC has exercised its authority under the Governor’s declaration of a Statewide Disaster to waive Unemployment Insurance work search requirements effective immediately. Previously to be eligible for unemployment benefits, applicants were required to register for work search on WorkinTexas.com and meet minimum number of work search activities per week. TWC is temporarily waiving these requirements to ensure all Texans can have access to resources when in need.

Click here for more information about the application process, including a step-by-step guide to applying for benefits.

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