Emergency Coronavirus Relief to Further Extend Unemployment Assistance to Texans
Texas Workforce Commission • December 31, 2020
With DOL Guidelines in Place, Texas Workforce Commission To Begin Paying New Benefits
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued guidelines to assist the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in the implementation of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 (CAA). Payments under this legislation are authorized for the payment week ending January 2, 2021. The act will provide up to 11 additional benefit weeks to Texans on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
CAA extends the unemployment benefits claim programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Key provisions of the act include:
- The Dec 26, 2020 deadline for expiration of CARES Act benefits has been extended to March 13, 2021.
- The legislation includes an extra $300 per week for eligible claimants who are unemployed and receiving benefits during the covered weeks.
TWC will automatically enroll all Texans who are eligible for benefits under the act. There is no need for people to call or reapply. For individuals unable to request payment due to having exhausted their claims in advance of the previous December 26 deadline, TWC will send them updated information.
A summary of programs under the act:
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Now available through March 13, 2021, or for up to 50 total weeks of eligibility, whichever comes first. Additional documentation of eligibility may be required beginning in January. As we receive DOL guidance, we will provide additional information.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): Now available through March 13, 2021, or for up to 24 total weeks of eligibility, whichever comes first. Claimants currently receiving benefits through the Extended Benefits program must finish all 13 weeks of EB before receiving additional weeks of PEUC.
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): These were the original federal supplemental payments under the CARES Act. They will resume with $300 weekly payments for up to an additional 11 weeks. To receive FPUC benefits, you must be receiving UI, PEUC, EB, Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA), Disaster Unemployment (DUA), or PUA. FPUC benefits will not be paid from July 27 to December 26, 2020, per federal guidelines. FPUC eligibility will begin on December 27, 2020 with the first payments set for the week ending January 2.
The legislation does not impact work search requirements. Most Texans will still be required to conduct work searches. The list of searches by county can be found here: https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/required-number-work-search-activities-county.
Texas’ civilian labor force achieved another new record high of 15,850,100 after adding 10,800 people over the month and marking 60 of 62 months of growth. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 237,800 people. Texas added 198,300 jobs over the year for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.4 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.3 percentage points. The state had 14,329,200 total nonfarm jobs after decreasing by 1,900 positions over the month of June. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.0 percent after decreasing by 0.1 percentage points over the month. “The increase in the civilian labor force and the drop in the unemployment rate highlight continued strength in the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC provides a number of tools for both job seekers and employers as we continue to grow the Texas labor force.” The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in June after adding 6,900 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 3,000 jobs over the month while Information added 1,000. In addition, the Construction industry grew by 2.4 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 0.9 percentage points. “As Texas thrives, TWC is dedicated to empowering working Texans to share in that success," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. "Through our strong partnerships and resources like WorkInTexas.com, targeted job fairs, and essential skills training, we're helping Texans capitalize on opportunities and achieve their career goals.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.0 percent in June, followed by the Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs at 3.1 percent. “TWC supports a business-friendly environment, which attracts employers to Texas, creates new career paths, and contributes to a more prosperous workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. "Key sectors like Private Education and Health Services continue to add thousands of jobs and highlight the opportunities for Texas employers.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for Skills for Success, a special initiative with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) designed to equip Texas workers with essential workforce readiness skills. “TWC is proud to partner with TSTC on Skills for Success, a program that directly aligns with our mission to connect Texans with rewarding careers,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “We are committed to ensuring our state’s employers have access to a skilled and adaptable workforce.” Through the Skills for Success grant, TWC covers all costs of specific TSTC training courses for eligible employers to create customized training packages. Employers of any size can select courses to meet their business and staffing needs. Courses train on skills such as communication, organization, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy, conflict resolution, time management, and more. “Skills for Success isn’t just a training program; it’s a launchpad for Texan careers,” said Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “By equipping individuals with essential soft skills, we’re empowering them to earn better wages, secure fulfilling jobs, and build stronger futures for their families and communities.” Funded through the state’s Skills Development Fund, Skills for Success is available to private employers with full-time employees working anywhere in Texas. By developing and emphasizing the importance of these foundational skills, this program aims to improve employee performance, increase retention rates, and foster a more adaptable workforce to meet the evolving needs of Texas employers. “Small, medium, and large employers across the state have expressed the need for motivated employees who demonstrate technical and workforce readiness skills, like flexibility, leadership, and attention to detail,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “The Skills for Success program will bridge a skills gap and create a stronger workforce for Texas employers.” Texas businesses interested in participating in the Skills for Success grant are encouraged to visit www.twc.texas.gov/sfs for the application, course catalog, eligibility requirements, and contact information.
Workforce Solutions East Texas continues to strengthen its mission of connecting talent with opportunity through two recent job fairs held in June 2025, each serving a unique purpose and community need. Windows of Opportunity Job Fair (June 12, 2025) Hosted across multiple Workforce Solutions East Texas offices, the quarterly Windows of Opportunity Job Fair drew 330 job seekers and 51 employers from industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and education. The event gave attendees a chance to meet directly with hiring managers, explore job openings, and participate in on-the-spot interviews. Employers praised the turnout and the quality of candidates, while job seekers appreciated the chance to connect in person without the formal barriers of traditional hiring processes. The next Windows of Opportunity Job Fair is planned for the last quarter of 2025. For updates, visit www.easttexasworkforce.org/hiring-events . Panola County Job Fair: A Local Partnership with Big Impact (June 17, 2025) Separately, Workforce Solutions East Texas partnered with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to host the Panola County Job Fair, focusing on connecting local job seekers and employers in a rural setting. The event welcomed 44 job seekers and 7 local employers, highlighting the value of direct outreach in communities often underserved by broader economic development efforts. “Rural areas are the backbone of East Texas, but they are sometimes overshadowed by the needs and resources of larger cities,” said Deanna Alexander, Community Engagement Area Manager. “That’s why partnerships like the one we have with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce are so essential.” The success of the Panola County event shows how strong rural partnerships can drive long-term economic development and workforce engagement.
