Texas Workforce Commission Announces Change to Extended Unemployment Benefits

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today announced a change to their Extended Unemployment Benefits.

Due to the state’s improving unemployment rate, the TWC states that 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. The TWC estimates that approximately 32,000 claimants may be affected by this change and they state they will notify all claimants by mail.