Return to Work Guidance
Texas Workforce Commission • May 4, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Unemployment Claimants Returning To Work
Healthy Unemployment Claimants are Encouraged to Return to Work if Offered
Exceptions include:
• High risk individuals
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19
• Individuals living with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
• Those quarantined by the recommendation of a health care provider
• Those that cannot find sufficient child care.
Q:
My Employer wants me to return to work but I don’t have child care due to COVID-19, can I continue receiving benefits?
A:
Workers who cannot find sufficient child care, and school-aged children cannot attend school due to COVID-19 closures may continue to receive unemployment benefits.
Q: I am unable to return to work during COVID-19, how do I report my reasoning?
A:
TWC will investigate and handle each on a case-by-case basis. If your employer offers you work, communicate with them as to why you are unable to return. If you are able to come to an agreement on accommodations, you do not need to alert TWC. When you next request payment, indicate that you were offered work and refused. Your employer will report this information to TWC as well. TWC will investigate your case and contact both you and your employer. While the investigation occurs you will continue to receive payments.
Q:
Will someone lose their unemployment if they're offered their job back, but they say no because they're afraid of the COVID-19 situation?
A: We're not going to just cut somebody off because they didn't go back to work. We're going to evaluate each of those situations on a case-by-case basis.
Q:
Someone living with me tested positive for COVID-19 but my employer wants me to return to work. If I do not return, can I continue to receive unemployment benefits?
A:
Yes. Those living in the same household as someone who tested positive for COVID-19 can continue to receive benefits after refusing work.
Q:
My Employer wants me to return to work but im considered high risk. If I don’t go back do I lose my benefits?
A:
Those who are high risk for COVID-19 including people 65 years of age or older, and/or individuals with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or a weakened immune system as described on the DSHS website can continue to receive unemployment benefits upon refusal to return to work.
Source: Texas Workforce Commission
Workforce Solutions East Texas is seeking employer partners for Hiring Red, White & You!, the local celebration of Texas’ statewide veterans hiring event. Join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Tyler Workforce Center, 1421 S. Beckham Ave., Tyler. The opening ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the hiring event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hiring Red, White & You! connects employers with veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and other qualified East Texas job seekers. It is an opportunity to meet candidates whose military experience often reflects leadership, adaptability, communication skills, and a strong commitment to service. This event is open to the public, making it an excellent opportunity to promote current openings and build your organization’s talent pipeline. Employer participation is available at no cost. Across Texas, Hiring Red, White & You! events have connected more than 26,000 employers with 153,000 job seekers, including more than 52,000 veterans. Employers who hire qualifying veterans may also be eligible for federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit benefits of up to $9,600 per eligible hire. Reserve your employer space today by registering at www.EastTexasWorkforce.org/hrwy .
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications for the Upskill Texas grant program. This technical training initiative provides crucial funding for Texas businesses looking to enhance their workforce's skills and remain competitive in today's rapidly evolving economy. Upskill Texas offers financial support to employers that are: Expanding their operations Retooling their processes Introducing new services or product lines Experiencing organizational structure changes that could avert layoffs Through Upskill Texas, employers may be reimbursed up to $3,000 per trainee for 100% technical training. The majority of the trainees must have been employed by the business for at least six months. To be eligible, businesses must have 100 or more employees located in Texas and provide a 50% employer match, which can include trainee wages and benefits. Private employers may appoint a designee for the grant, including community or technical colleges, third-party trainers, or workforce development boards. Projects can range from $150,000 to $500,000. Follow the link below to learn more.
Workforce Solutions East Texas is strengthening its role as a workforce development leader in the Palestine area by bringing some of the region’s top employers directly to the community. Through a growing series of hiring events hosted at the Palestine office, local job seekers are gaining direct access to employers, career opportunities, and a dedicated team ready to help them take their next step. The events have already generated strong results. On August 14, Wayne Sanderson Farms brought 51 job seekers to the Palestine office for a hiring event. The response was so strong that the company was able to fill its entire first shift through the event, demonstrating the impact that direct connections between employers and job seekers can have. The momentum continued on September 4, when East Texas Beef Processors welcomed 50 job seekers to its hiring event at the Palestine office. The strong turnout provided the company with an opportunity to connect with local talent while giving residents a chance to learn more about available careers and employment opportunities. These events are doing more than filling positions. They are helping Workforce Solutions East Texas build stronger relationships with employers throughout the region while establishing the Palestine office as a convenient, trusted resource for businesses and job seekers alike. By creating opportunities for employers to recruit locally, Workforce Solutions East Texas is helping strengthen the connection between the region’s workforce and the businesses that drive its economy. Residents looking for their next career opportunity are encouraged to stop by the Palestine Workforce Solutions East Texas office, meet with employers, explore available positions, and connect with the staff who are ready to provide guidance and support throughout their job search. As the Palestine office continues expanding its employer partnerships and hiring event offerings, Workforce Solutions East Texas is demonstrating what workforce development looks like in action: bringing employers and job seekers together, responding to the needs of the local economy, and creating pathways to opportunity right here in the community.
