AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will reinstate state work search requirements, which had been suspended since March, but will resume on Nov. 1, 2020.
Work search is a federal requirement to receive unemployment benefits. Individuals will continue to receive benefits but must show an active effort to obtain new employment.
All individuals receiving unemployment benefits will need to complete the designated number of work searches, beginning on the date listed in their work search notification document.
Furloughed workers with a definite return to work date that is within 12 weeks of the layoff are exempt from work search requirements. Return to work dates beyond 12 weeks can result in the waiver of work search at the discretion of TWC.
While self-employed individuals who intend to reopen their business do not need to complete work search activities, they do need to take steps to reopen their business. Self-employed individuals who do not intend to reopen their businesses will need to complete work search activities.
TWC has a list of acceptable work search activities on their website.
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