TWC Offers Employers Guidance on Protecting Their Business
Texas Workforce Commission • August 24, 2020
TWC educates business owners on employment fraud
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) asks for employers to help to prevent unemployment benefit overpayments by reporting employees receiving wages through Paycheck Protection Program loans or who refused acceptable work to TWC.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to date, Americans have lost approximately $77 million in fraud to date, related to COVID-19, including federal aid programs and unemployment benefits.
To protect Program Integrity, TWC is asking employers to assist in preventing unemployment fraud by reporting employees who are currently, (or have in the past), received wages through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and are also receiving (or have received in the past) unemployment benefits during the same period. Employers can email the information to TWC at PPPreporting.BPC@twc.state.tx.us, and are asked to provide the employee’s name and last four digits of their Social Security number if available.
Receiving payments through PPP loans may disqualify claimants from receiving unemployment benefits under the regular program or the CARES Act UI Programs. There are multiple ways the receipt of these funds could impact UI eligibility, including whether the individual remains unemployed, or partially unemployed, or whether the individual has reportable income.
Promptly reporting suspected fraud to TWC can not only help protect Texas businesses, but also employees who need benefits. Failure to report information to TWC may negatively impact charges to an employer’s account on future unemployment claims.
In addition, employers are also asked to report employees who refused work. These instances can be reported through a
dedicated Employee Work Refusal Portal. Refusal to work may impact eligibility for benefits, though there are exceptions and TWC previously issued guidance to unemployment claimants on acceptable reasons to refuse suitable work. Each case is reviewed individually by TWC to determine benefit eligibility.
TWC would also like to remind employers to carefully review any Notices of Application for Unemployment Benefits or Notice of Maximum Potential Chargeback they receive for accuracy.
If a business receives a Notice of Application for Unemployment Benefits or Notice of Maximum Potential Chargeback from TWC (both pictured below) for an employee who has not separated from employment, or if the notice has incorrect separation information, employers should respond to the notice as soon as possible through the UI Submission Upload- Employers only portal, Employer Benefits Services System, the TWC fraud hotline at 800-252-3642 or TWC.fraud@twc.state.tx.us.
On Wednesday, November 5, Workforce Solutions East Texas hosted the region’s largest hiring event of the year at the Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview, as part of the Texas Workforce Commission’s 14th annual Hiring Red, White & You! statewide initiative. The event honored veterans with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by a job fair from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. open to the public. About 70 employers participated, offering opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and other job seekers. “East Texas is blessed to have so many vets to call our neighbors,” said Doug Shryock, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), Executive Director of Workforce Solutions East Texas. “Knowledge, skills, and abilities—hard-won across the country and around the world—make our communities stronger and more vibrant. Our employers need these valuable resources.” This year’s event was part of a statewide effort to support veterans in their transition to civilian careers. Since its launch in 2012, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected over 153,000 job seekers, including 52,000 veterans, with more than 26,000 employers across Texas. A representative from a participating employer, Stone Bridge Personnel Services, shared, " The Veteran Job Fair in Longview was a huge success! Sooo many people came out that we barely got a break the entire time! The best part was getting to know the personal stories of several decorated veterans and hearing their accomplishments and what they stand for. That's the spice of life right there. And we're about to fill heaps of new positions using all this new talent! Good times ahead." “ It’s important that we continue to serve those who served, and do so with priority, resources, and commitment,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Hiring Red, White & You! events make a difference in the lives of veterans across Texas.” Event Highlights: Total job seekers served:438 Employers represented: 69 Workforce Solutions East Texas and ETCOG thank all participants, employers, and partners who made this event a success. Together, we continue to build a stronger workforce and honor the contributions of our veterans.
Wednesday, November 5 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Maude Cobb Convention Center
SNAP Benefits are not handled by Workforce Solutions East Texas offices. Our staff members cannot assist with your inquiries regarding the Federal Government Shutdown's effect on your benefits. To aid in these concerns, we are sharing information below from Texas Health and Human Services . 2025 Federal Government Shutdown With the federal government shut down, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is monitoring how it may impact your benefits. Check this page for updates . SNAP SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27. WIC WIC benefits are not affected currently. TANF TANF benefits are not affected currently. Medicaid Medicaid is not affected currently. CHIP CHIP is not affected currently. Find answers about SNAP and other benefits in the Federal Government Shutdown FAQ (PDF) .
