Unemployment Benefits to Drop Like Unemployment

EUC Tier IV to end as well

Unemployment in Texas is going down and because of that, so is the length of time people can receive unemployment benefits.

The Texas Workforce Commission said Wednesday that since the state of Texas' unemployment rate has fallen below the allowable percentage of 8 percent for the last three months, they can only provide unemployment benefits for 13 weeks instead of 20 weeks.

The change will be implemented on April 8 and at that time anyone who has received at least 13 weeks of benefits will no longer qualify to receive those benefits.

Letters notifying them of the change will be sent to the estimated 35,000 Texans expected to be impacted, the TWC said.

Additionally, Texas no longer qualifies for Emergency Unemployment Compensation Tier IV benefits. According to the TWC, "the total maximum weeks of UI benefits now available to an individual in Texas is 86 weeks, down from the previously available 99 weeks."

Those who qualified for Tier IV benefits before March 10 will continue to receive their benefits, but no new claims will be added. TWC will still pay EUC benefits at the Tier I-III levels through Dec. 29.

For more information and to update contact information, claimants may visit TWC online at ui.texasworkforce.org or contact a UI Tele-Center toll free at 800-939-6631. Reemployment services are available through local Workforce Solutions Offices statewide, or job seekers may visit www.WorkInTexas.com to register and search for job postings.

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