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.
A Sanctuary of Opportunity and Inclusion
When a local employer recently faced a layoff, Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) stepped in to provide immediate assistance through its Rapid Response program — a coordinated effort designed to support both employers and affected employees during times of transition. Upon notification of the layoff, WSET’s Business Services team quickly initiated a Rapid Response orientation. These orientations are designed to inform employees of their rights, available resources, and reemployment options. Staff guide participants through services such as unemployment insurance, job search assistance, training opportunities, and support programs available through Workforce Solutions East Texas and its partners. In collaboration with the employer, WSET also organized a private job fair exclusively for the impacted workers, giving them an opportunity to connect directly with local employers eager to hire skilled talent. The event brought together 13 employers and 48 job seekers, facilitating meaningful conversations and helping workers transition smoothly into new employment opportunities. “Rapid Response is about providing timely, compassionate, and practical support to both employers and employees,” said a representative from Workforce Solutions East Texas. “Our goal is to minimize the stress of job loss and help workers reenter the workforce as quickly as possible.” Rapid Response services are available at no cost to East Texas employers who need assistance communicating with their staff during layoffs or closures. Workforce Solutions East Texas is committed to helping businesses navigate workforce challenges while ensuring their employees have the tools and resources needed to move forward successfully.
Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) staff recently attended the Athens Career Exploration event to educate high school seniors about exciting career paths and opportunities within workforce development. The event welcomed students from Athens ISD as well as neighboring districts — Malakoff, Frankston, and La Poynor ISDs — bringing together an estimated 200–250 seniors eager to learn about their future career options. Students began the day by hearing from a panel of employers representing a variety of industries, who shared valuable insights and professional expertise. Following the panel, attendees had the chance to network with more than 25 local employers, engaging in one-on-one conversations about the skills, education, and experiences needed to enter different fields. Representing Workforce Solutions East Texas, staff members shared what a “day in the life” looks like in workforce development — from helping job seekers and employers connect, to supporting training and education programs that strengthen the East Texas economy. Students also learned about education requirements, job duties, and salary ranges within the workforce development industry. Emely Amador, Outreach Specialist with Workforce Solutions East Texas, reflected on the event saying: “We had such a good time at the Athens Career Expo! The students had wonderful questions and had a lot of interest in the opportunities in Henderson County and how Workforce Solutions East Texas fits into it. We hope to continue to outreach the community with more events like this in the future.” Events like this one demonstrate the importance of early career exploration and community partnerships in building a strong local workforce. Workforce Solutions East Texas is proud to help students discover their potential and learn how their future careers can contribute to the growth of our region.
