Tammie Galloway, a mother of two, lost her job last year during the height of the pandemic and hasn’t been able to find steady work since.

As the holidays approach, not only can we all use the extra cash, but many companies create available positions, either seasonal or permanent. Here are some upcoming job fair from local employers with immediate positions to fill.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday that Texas will opt out of further federal unemployment compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective June 26, 2021.

The Texas Workforce Commission said the number of suspicious unemployment claims reached hundreds of thousands last year.

HOUSTON – If you collected unemployment in 2020, you could get a bigger tax refund. Usually, when you collect unemployment, you have to pay federal income tax on that money. This year, you do not have to pay taxes on $10,200 of those benefits if you earned less than $150,000. Mary Bynum emailed consumer expert Amy Davis, writing, “I collected unemployment in 2020 and filed my return and received my refund in mid-February. On the IRS website, the agency explains what forms you should use and file if you are doing your taxes yourself to get the tax break.

Black and Latina women are facing the highest unemployment rate among all women with 8.9 % and 8.5% respectively. The pandemic, Lane said, has only magnified those long-standing inequities. “So that means we’ve got to have better education, better opportunities for people of color,” said Judson Robinson, President & CEO of The Houston Area Urban League. The Turnaround Houston Initiative is set to take place online from Thursday, April 29th through Sunday, May 2nd. If you’re interested in looking for work and want information about jobs, call The Houston Area Urban League at 281-220-6012.

For those who turned to unemployment benefits last year, with tax season upon us, you might be wondering how it’s all going to shake out when it comes to filing your income taxes. But here’s the thing: You still have to pay federal taxes on said unemployment benefits. It ensures you won’t have that burden later, giving you a head start when tax season approaches. Pay quarterlyIf you didn’t have your taxes withheld, another option is to send quarterly estimated taxes on that money to the IRS. When quarterly taxes are due:When you get paid Tax due date Jan. 1–March 31 April 15 April 1–May 31 June 15 June 1–Aug.

HOUSTON – Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia partnered with Workforce Solutions to host a free virtual job fair open to the public. According to a news release, 30 employers are expected to attend the event, where there will be more than 700 full time and 30 part time positions available. Industries represented at the event will include manufacturing, technology, energy, and marine, according to the release. The job fair will start at 10 a.m. and representatives will be available for live interactions with job seekers until 2 p.m. After that, booths will remain open and people can gather information on available positions until midnight. People who wish to participate can register and build their portfolios at wrksolutions2.easyvirtualfair.com.

HOUSTON – If you collected unemployment benefits that ran out within the last few months, check your email. Congress approved the funding in December, but it has taken the Texas Workforce Commission time to let people know it is available. You can begin requesting payments again,’” explained TWC’s James Bernsen. “When people stop requesting payments, they’re essentially telling us ‘I don’t need payments. I have a job or don’t need payments anymore,’” said Bernsen.

HOUSTON – If you’re still employed during the pandemic, consider yourself lucky, or even blessed. To determine the strongest local job markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 32 key metrics. The data set ranges from job opportunities to employment growth to monthly average starting salary. When it comes to finding work in Houston, the Bayou City ranked as follows (1=Best; 91=Avg.) :130th – Job Opportunities56th – Employment Growth126th – Unemployment Rate75th – Industry Variety12th – Monthly Average Starting Salary125th – % of Workforce Living in Poverty94th – Median Annual Income*69th – Housing Affordability173rd – Avg.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – The pandemic may leave more than 40 million Americans without a job, risking their homes and their health. How close are you to the poverty line? “We became homeless and now we don’t have food, and now COVID, it’s been really, really tough,” said Latisha King. “Twenty-one years ago, I was homeless with my children and today I’m the founder of a nonprofit organization,” said Stephanie Bowman, Visionary at One Heart. You can find out your poverty risk assessment by logging on to www.playspent.org and taking the test.

After a financially devastating year, out-of-work Texans were dealt another blow this week when a congressional coronavirus relief package’s fate became uncertain after President Donald Trump threatened to veto it. Trump suggested Tuesday that he will veto the relief legislation Congress overwhelmingly passed, telling lawmakers to send Americans stimulus payments of up to $2,000 instead of the $600 outlined in the bill. The state still has $2 billion in unspent relief money from previous federal legislation. “I feel like I’m not going to see any relief.”Still, Johnson has followed the daily developments in the coronavirus relief negotiations going on in Washington. In August, the agency notified Makintubee, who lost his job in coffee sales and delivery in March, that he owed $7,800 to the state for what it said was overpayment of unemployment aid.

With COVID-19 still disrupting our lives, now more than ever many people in our community are in desperate need of help. She ended up homeless and in desperate need of help. Call the United Way at 2-1-1 to get help connecting with the best groups for you. The United Way was able to connect Regina to resources for food, rent, and unemployment help. The United Way can also help people find childcare, food stamps, or even care for an aging parent.

Regular unemployment benefits:This traditional unemployment program provides assistance for up to 26 weeks per year. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA):If you apply for unemployment and the workforce commission finds that you do not qualify for regular benefits, the agency should automatically consider you for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and enroll you if you are found eligible. Here, under the claim information section, you will see your claim type listed as: Regular Unemployment Benefits, Disaster Unemployment Benefits (for now, this is the same as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance), or Temporary Unemployment Benefits (extensions). If you have exhausted your Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and have not recently been on regular unemployment, you don’t qualify for any kind of extension. Unless Congress takes action to extend the pandemic unemployment benefits in the CARES Act, two programs will expire after Dec. 26: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or PEUC.

HOUSTON – UPS is hosting its annual one-day hiring blitz, known as UPS Brown Friday, on Friday. The company is hiring at least 50,000 new employees across the country, including about 3,000 positions in Houston. Applicants can conduct in-person or virtual interviews, and the company will be making job offers on the spot. According to UPS, nearly 40% of seasonal workers last year came back to a permanent job after the holidays. Houston-area UPS job fairs on Friday:Willowbrook 11802 N Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77064, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PMStafford: 13922 Stafford Rd, Stafford, TX 77477, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PMSweetwater: 8330 Sweetwater Lane, Houston, TX 77037, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PMMykawa: 7110 Mykawa Rd, Houston, TX 77033, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PMTo learn more about virtual and in-person hiring fairs, viewers can visit UPSjobs.com/brownfriday.

HOUSTON – Unemployed, and seeking a way to stand out on LinkedIn and present your best self when participating in virtual interviews? LinkedIn, Now Stand Out! So, make sure your interview set up is in a part of the home that has the strongest internet connection, and test it before your interview. Deborrah Ashley, The LinkedIn Blackbelt, of Thrivoo is a marketing expert who helps individuals and experts stand out on LinkedIn. In the video below Ashley offers strategies to help you stand out online and optimize your job search in just 40 minutes!

HOUSTON – Big changes are coming for the 5.6 million Texans who have filed unemployment claims since mid-March. It’s called the “work search” requirement. You can find a list of all approved work search activities here. Keep a log of all of your work search activities so you can show it to the state when asked. When the new work requirement takes effect, it will free up space for those children whose parents are working and need some help.

Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The Texas unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in September, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday, a sharp increase from the August unemployment rate of 6.8%. The announcement also shows that a lot of Texans are jobless seven months into the pandemic despite widespread business reopenings across the state. “What we saw with companies like the airlines and others is happening throughout the economy,” Rodriguez told The Texas Tribune. A spokesman for the workforce commission said next week’s release from the labor department will also show Texas' unemployment rate in September was 8.3%.

HOUSTON – Imagine being laid off and finally receiving notification that your unemployment insurance claim has been approved. For the millions of Texans who have been unemployed due to the pandemic, that approval is great news. RELATED LINK: Texas unemployment numbersBut what if you didn’t file that claim, and someone else is using your name to commit unemployment insurance fraud and receive your benefits? First, filing unemployment is done virtually -- either over the phone -- and that has created an opportunity for fraudsters to take advantage of victims like Smith, by using their identity to file unemployment insurance claims. RESOURCES: How to report unemployment insurance fraud | Fraud hotline: (800) 252-3642 | Email: TWC.fraud@TWC.state.tx.usBernsen said the agency’s main focus is getting legitimate claims paid, so representatives can’t call back every fraud case reported.

Unemployment fell from 8.4% in August, but that mainly reflected a decline in the number of people seeking work, rather than a surge in hiring. The U.S. gained nearly 7 million jobs from Trump's 2017 inauguration until the pandemic struck. Yet President Barack Obama was re-elected in 2012 even with unemployment at 7.8% on the eve of the election. In August, the latest data available, unemployment was 10.3% in Pennsylvania and 8.7% in Michigan, both above the national rate that month. The unemployment rate for Black workers fell sharply last month but is still much higher than it is for whites.

The heart and soul of Houston’s economy, the oil and gas industry, has been hit especially hard. According to the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, the state had nearly 361,000 oil and gas jobs in 2019. One company’s visionA Houston company is launching a program it hopes will pump new life, and jobs, into the energy industry and the local economy. Workers on edgeFor oil and gas workers and their families, there is still a lot of uncertainty. The Texas Workforce Commission also lists more than 500 oil and gas industry jobs on its website.

Six months after the coronavirus pandemic began choking the economy, Texas' unemployment rate in August was 6.8% — a sign the state’s economy has improved from the spring months, but is still suffering. But after Abbott sought to reenergize the flailing economy by allowing businesses to reopen, the coronavirus spread rapidly through Texas, eventually leading Abbott to reverse some of his economic decisions. And in late August and early September, after weeks of declining numbers of Texans applying for unemployment relief, that trend reversed. “We were mostly stagnant,” Michael Carroll, director of the Economics Research Group at the University of North Texas, told The Texas Tribune. On Thursday, in another attempt to energize the economy, Abbott again began loosening restrictions for restaurants and other businesses in most regions of Texas.

When Christine Brill’s unemployment benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission suddenly plummeted this summer, she tried calling the agency to find out what happened. Nearly 350,000 Texans didn’t initially qualify for that extra money, including some who failed to originally indicate they had lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Brill is too anxious to do anything, but takes it one day at a time while Congress sits in a stalemate. In April, during a monthlong statewide shutdown, Texas’ unemployment rate ballooned to more than 13% — four-times what it was in January. With potential evictions and utility cut-offs looming in the coming months, Rodriguez is worried this fall could be devastating.

HOUSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency ended the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program, which provided an additional $300 a week to qualified unemployment recipients impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a press release. FEMA previously approved TWC funding requests for the benefits weeks between Aug. 1 to Sept. 5. Recipients will continue to receive normal weekly benefit amounts for any benefit weeks for which they are eligible. The Lost Wages Assistance Program was a temporary provision established after the expiration of the $600 Federal Pandemic Assistance Program, a part of the CARES Act. For more information on eligibility requirements, available benefits and questions about the unemployment process, visit TWC’s COVID-19 FAQ page.

Here in Texas, 4.7 million unemployment insurance claims have been processed by the Texas Workforce Commission since March 14, 2020. When she filed for unemployment insurance benefits, her claim was successfully submitted and she began receiving payments. It said that you have been overpaid unemployment benefits. We cannot pay you benefits until the overpayment is paid, Jones said of the notice she received when she logged in to file her unemployment insurance claim. So if you owe money, and you cant afford to pay it back right now, its not going to go to collections.

HOUSTON – Hundreds of thousands of Texans are now receiving $300 a week in addition to their unemployment benefits from the state. These are federal FEMA funds used in the Lost Wages Assistance program passed by President Trump after the $600 weekly boost from the feds expired at the end of July. Q: Who qualifies for the Lost Wages Assistance program and the weekly $300 benefit? A: If you are already receiving unemployment benefits, you do NOT need to do anything to receive the extra $300 dollars from the Lost Wages Assistance program. To start or stop federal tax withholding for unemployment benefit payments:• Choose your withholding option when you apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefits Services.

HOUSTON – As the coronavirus pandemic has forced companies to reimagine the way they do business, more opportunities for remote employment have emerged. DellIndustry: Computer TechnologyDell Technologies is searching for workers who can work remotely throughout the pandemic and also has listings for partial and fully remote positions. UnitedHealth GroupIndustry: Health careUnitedHealth Group has several listings for a range of positions that can work partially or fully remote. The company is seeking to fill roles in customer service, nursing, accounting, administration, and more. VerizonIndustry: TelecommunicationsVerizon is hiring professionals across a range of business categories to fill partial and fully remote positions.

Without government assistance, a single mother and her four children were forced to live in their car after being evicted amid an economic crisis as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, according to a GoFundMe account asking or help or the mom. According to Monroe, Madrigal was laid off at the start of the pandemic and denied unemployment and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The mother of four was unable to find work for several months but once she did, it was too late. Madrigal and her children -- ranging in age from one to 11 years old -- were evicted from their home. Monroe describes Madrigal as a hardworking, optimistic, and brave mother who was unfortunately failed by the United States’ response to the pandemic.

More than 10 states — not including Texas — have already been federally approved for additional jobless relief, providing an extra $300 or $400 in unemployment checks. Greg Abbott said he was directing the state employment agency to apply for the federal funding. Once approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the money will provide an extra $300 weekly for jobless Texans, and another $100 on top of that if Texas decides to chip in. The directive from Abbott comes as 61,416 Texans applied for unemployment relief in the week ending Aug. 15. In total, more than 3.2 million Texans have applied for jobless assistance since the coronavirus pandemic began.

For almost 40 years Wild West night club in the heart of Houston’s Richmond strip was wildly popular for its country music, dancing and bar. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting closures, the crowds at the Wild West just dried up and vanished, leaving the massive dance floor empty and the club on the verge of financial collapse. If you’re one of them and fear you’re about to lose your job, Texas Workforce Solutions has free one-on-one help for you. Search online job boardsOnline job boards like Work in Texas, Indeed or Career Builder can be treasure troves of job listings. If you’re going to attend a viritual job fair, here are some tips to prepare:Register for the online job fair in advanceTest your equipmentHave your resume readyPractice describing your skills, abilities and experienceUse complete sentencesFollow-up with the requested action3.

WASHINGTON The U.S. government will provide its latest report Thursday on the pace of layoffs, which have remained stuck at a high level since the viral pandemic erupted five months ago. Though the rate of applications for unemployment benefits has reached its lowest point since March, it has exceeded 1 million for 20 straight weeks well above the record high that predated the pandemic. The number of new confirmed cases has declined over the past couple of weeks but is still far above the levels that prevailed in May and June. The latest string of layoffs follows the expiration of a $600 weekly federal payment that provided critical support for millions of laid-off Americans. Negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit, likely at a lower level of payment, have collapsed in rancor.

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Would I qualify for unemployment if I quit my job due to school being virtual this year? Answer: According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), workers who choose to quit their job for personal reasons, such as staying home with a child, are ineligible to receive unemployment benefits. KPRC 2 recognizes working parents are challenged by school districts decisions to start the year only offering virtual instruction; here are some resources that we hope can help. Many daycares have created learning pods offering help with virtual instruction.

The jobs report for July being released Friday will provide the clearest answer yet. Economists have forecast that employers added 1.6 million jobs, according to a survey by data provider FactSet. Yet it would still fall far short of June's 4.8 million increase and May's 2.7 million gain. Some economists say Friday's report could even show that the nation lost jobs in July. Once an economy starts to recover, companies typically try to derive as much production from their existing employees as they can before taking the risk of hiring more people.

(TEXAS TRIBUNE) – The Texas Workforce Commission paid out over $20 million in benefits Thursday to those who are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The federal program allows people who are self-employed, freelancers or seeking part-time employment to be eligible for benefits. This week, the commission converted 145,000 unemployment claims to the PUA program, comprising about 40% of the more than 365,000 new claims this week, commission spokesman Cisco Gamez said at a media briefing Friday. Workers eligible for PUA must submit their 2019 tax forms to the commission by Dec. 26. Once the tax forms are received, the Texas Workforce Commission verifies past wages, and workers might become eligible for more weekly benefits, which can be backdated, Gamez said.

If Congress doesn’t extend the $600 benefit, that will leave many Texans getting anywhere from $69 to $521 per week in unemployment benefits. Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz opposes extending the weekly $600 payments. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s office said the Texas senator supports extending unemployment assistance but did not specify whether he supports extending the weekly $600 payments. “And that's not good.”Economists say the end of the weekly $600 payments will lead to Texans with less spending money to fuel an economic recovery. Mason fears what will happen if the weekly $600 payments end Saturday and he is still working reduced hours.

HOUSTON – One week from this Saturday, the amount of money many Texans on unemployment get will go way down. Texans collecting unemployment get an average of $349 from the state each week. If you don’t fall into one of those categories, but you refuse to return to work, you will likely lose your benefits. Online, the Texas Workforce Commission is asking employers to report employees who have refused to return to work. Texas Workforce Solutions hosts virtual job fairs frequently.

Pradia has been evicted, despite being approved for aid to pay her rent after losing her job in March. The single mother is among a growing number of Texans facing eviction during a pandemic. More than half of the Houston area’s population is renting a home or apartment, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. READ: Harris County eviction cases continue to mount as coronavirus threat, job loss continues“This is tough,” she said to herself as she packed a stack of plates into a box. Pradia, meantime, called for lawmakers to provide better protection for tenants in the state’s housing laws.

One woman is paying it forward in a meaningful and fitting way to people who are waiting in long, hot unemployment lines. She loads her car with cold drinks and snacks and passes them out to those who are waiting. Those in line say it is a real pick-me-up. “It’s very great for people to be bringing food and water because, for one, people have health problems,” someone in line said. Hubbert says she does it because one day while she was standing in the unemployment line, a woman brought her some water and something to eat.

KPRC 2 consumer expert Amy Davis has a look at what you can do to help you get back on your feet after being laid off.

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Workforce Commission announced Tuesday the job search requirement for those collecting unemployment benefits has been paused again. Officials announced last week that the requirement would be reinstated on July 6. However, on Tuesday they announced the requirement would again be paused while they reevaluate policies regarding reinstatement. “Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Texas, TWC has decided to pause the return of work search requirements at this time,” said Ed Serna, executive director of TWC. “We will continue to monitor the situation and make further recommendations in late July.”The number of coronavirus cases has been increasing for the past couple of weeks.

HOUSTON – As Texas continues smashing unemployment records, many people who are out of work are still struggling to find jobs, file claims, and collect benefits. Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Texas in March, the Texas Workforce Commission says it’s helped more than 3.4 million Texans file for unemployment insurance and paid out $14.4 billion in benefits. Scott Leonard, 60, of Seabrook is a former petrochemical project manager who has been waiting six weeks for benefits. “Oh I’ve called at least a hundred times or more, every day, different times of the day,” he said. A spokesperson tells us while the agency is still slammed with applications, the unemployment crisis in Texas is improving.

HOUSTON The Texas Workforce Commission is reinstating the work search requirement for those receiving unemployment benefits. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, there are more than 530,000 jobs available in Texas on WorkInTexas.com. Unemployed workersIn order to continue receiving benefits, unemployed workers must show an active effort to obtain new employment. The work search requirement does not mean workers must accept their first job offer. Self-employed workersThose who are self-employed do not need to register on WorkinTexas.com nor complete work search requirements.

This is the type of question some adults are asking themselves as they struggle through the darkness of losing a job to the pandemic. That might be because sudden unemployment is a threat to "narrative identity," said Jonathan Adler, a professor of psychology who specializes in identity and narrative psychology at the Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts. That narrative identity is the confluence of you and the culture in which you live. It's sort of a classic American master narrative," Adler said. "Changing your narrative identity is like that — it's a cumulative process that builds up over time, but the intention ... is something you do in the here and now every day."

(CNN) – When the May jobs report dropped Friday morning, the numbers were shocking: US unemployment actually fell, defying virtually all economists' predictions. Those surveyed by Refinitiv had predicted another 8 million job losses and an unemployment rate nearing 20%. Journalists, reporting on economists' forecasts, had prepared charts ready to show the unemployment rate at its highest level since the Great Depression. The jobs report showed restaurants and bars were the biggest job creators in May, bringing back 1.37 million jobs. At 13.3%, the unemployment rate remains near historic highs, and employers have yet to add back 19.6 million jobs lost since February.

Trump spoke from the Rose Garden hours after the Labor Department said that U.S. employers added 2.5 million workers to their payrolls last month. Economists had been expecting them instead to slash another 8 million jobs amid the ongoing fallout from the response to the pandemic. “This shows that what we’ve been doing is right," Trump said of the jobs numbers. It’s unclear how many jobs lost as a result of the pandemic are permanently lost, whether the reopenings in states will create a second surge of COVID-19 deaths. “You do social distancing and you wear masks if you want,” Trump said, but added that states need to reopen.

Consumer expert Amy Davis is answering some of the most common questions she’s getting about the application process. A: Usually in Texas, you can only collect unemployment benefits for 26 weeks. A: When a claimant applies for unemployment benefits TWC sends the last employer a “Notice of Application for Unemployment Benefits” that asks the employer to provide information regarding why the claimant lost their job. If an employer does not respond or does not respond on time, they can lose their right to appeal any decision TWC makes about the claim. TWC does not reach out to the employer if they do not respond on time or at all.

"My expectation is that since there's still initial claims for unemployment insurance in May, that the unemployment rate will be higher in June than in May, but then after that it should start to trend down," Hassett said. Asked by Bash if "it's possible that unemployment will be in double digits in November," Hassett replied: "Yes, I do. A dismal unemployment rate could negatively impact Trump's reelection prospects, as he's made the strong employment numbers that have existed for most of his presidency a key talking point during rallies and interviews. The comments from Hassett come two days after he told CNN that he thinks the unemployment rate, which hit 14.7% in April, may rise to 22% to 23% by May and edge up a bit in June before heading lower. “This was the biggest negative shock ever, but we also had the biggest policy response ever,” Hassett said.

Another 134,381 Texans filed for unemployment last week. Since the week ending March 14, just shy of 2.1 million Texans have filed for benefits. This week’s claims are down 5.1% from the week ending May 9, when just over 140,000 Texans filed for unemployment. But as some Texans return to work, it’ll likely take some time before the economy rebounds. The Texas Workforce Commission, which handles the state’s unemployment claims, voted Tuesday to phase out child care subsidies for low-income and essential workers.

Yet with millions more Americans seeking unemployment aid last week, the U.S. job market remains as bleak as it's been in decades. He said that he’s hopeful of keeping his job and that as business picks up during summer, more workers can be rehired. During April, U.S. employers shed 20 million jobs, eliminating a decade’s worth of job growth in a single month. Millions of other people who were out of work weren’t counted as unemployed because they didn’t look for a new job. Second-highest is in Nevada, where one-quarter of the state's workers have been approved, followed by Oregon and Florida.

HOUSTON – U.S. Navy veteran Charles Cummings of Seabrook is scouring job websites every day hoping he’ll find a job. A staggering 20.5 million jobs disappeared in April alone, which brought the national unemployment rate to just under 15%, a level not seen since the Great Depression. Minorities have been hit the hardest:18.9% of Hispanics out of work16.7% of African-Americans out of workBut in Texas, there are jobs available. Within five minutes of searching, Charles Cummings found a job as a meat cutter at H-E-B that he’d be interested in on the state website. If you or someone you know is looking for a job, you can visit the Work In Texas website to search hundreds of thousands of jobs around the state.

For more than a month, Kay has made this trip hoping to find her unemployment check in the mail. The numbers of people calling the TWC and applying for unemployment benefits are staggering. On Tuesday, the latest figures show over 2.2 million Texans have now applied for unemployment through the agency. Just Monday, in one day, the TWC received 43,963 claims for unemployment through its online portal. As for Kay, she is just going to continue to call and monitor her online TWC account and hope she will see her unemployment claim approved soon.

We are posting those answers here in hopes of clearing up confusion on the process of applying for and receiving unemployment benefits. First, if you need to file for unemployment benefits, there are two ways to do that. If you want to know how much you will receive if you are approved for unemployment benefits, you can use the TWC’s Unemployment Benefits Estimator. If you are already signed up and qualified for Texas unemployment benefits, no action is needed from you. If you are already signed up and qualified for Texas unemployment benefits, no action is needed from you.

That means they will be told remotely -- through a video conference or phone call. For managers, the human and technical considerations of delivering the bad news virtually are a little different than when they meet with employees face to face. That means working on a clear, brief message and practicing it with an HR manager on the video conference tool or conference call system you plan to use. And make sure you've nailed the security features of that technology so no one can Zoom bomb you or otherwise hack your meeting, Lee said. IT can't reach in remotely to wipe the person's laptop in the middle of your conversation, or when employees have turned off their Wi-Fi.

Like hundreds of thousands of other Texans, Williams has worked at British Airways for 30 years and was suddenly out of work. Malissa filed for unemployment benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission that same day. Williams and dozens of other KPRC 2 viewers had many concerns regarding the Texas unemployment benefits. 1VIEWER: What is the Texas Workforce Commission doing to help people get help through their phone lines and online? What can I do to speed up my unemployment payment?

Texans who are self-employed or independent workers no longer have to sit on hold with the unemployment office. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has set up a new system for self-employed individuals and contractors to apply for pandemic unemployment assistance online. These individuals can submit wage verification documents, 1040, Schedule C, F or SE, to TWC by mail, fax, or email. Box 149137 Austin, TX 78714-9137Fax: 512-936-3250Email: sanantonio.uimail@twc.state.tx.us

Billionaire businessman Tilman Fertitta said in an interview he did his workers a “favor” by furloughing them quickly to help them receive unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus pandemic, The Hill reports. Fertitta, who owns the Houston Rockets, Golden Nugget Casinos, and Landry’s, appeared on Fox News’s “Ingraham Angle" to discuss business. “But I’ve got 45,000 employees out there that we’ve had to furlough that is so tremendously unfortunate..."Regarding the furlough, Fertitta was asked by Kilmeade “how hard” it was to come to that decision. The billionaire cited his experience in operating businesses through several crises, saying employers like himself are doing their employees a “favor” by furloughing them quickly. “You’re doing the people a favor if you get them furloughed first because you have them first to unemployment line after the severance that you give them.

Unemployment benefits are becoming a financial lifeline for millions of Americans after their employers shut their doors to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. The growing tsunami of layoffs has overwhelmed state unemployment systems as a record number of workers try to apply for benefits. Just who is eligible for unemployment benefits also varies by state. Jobless workers will soon get an extra $600 a week on top of their state benefits, for up to four months. It's not pretty out there -- Americans have taken to social media to lambast their state unemployment agencies for crashing websites, error messages, endless hold times and busy signals.

It includes a $600 weekly increase for up to four months, on top of state benefits. States had to wait until the federal Department of Labor issued guidance on the extra funds, which will be fully covered by the federal government. Meanwhile, Indiana expects to start sending out the larger checks the week of April 20th, Fred Payne, commissioner of the state Department of Workforce Development, said Monday. Some states will provide a single larger weekly check, while others may opt to send the state and federal benefits separately. But countless more were unable to get through to their state unemployment agencies and complete their applications.

As many non-essential businesses have been forced to close indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic, some employers have laid-off their staff. Due to the influx of shoppers who are emptying shelves, many stores around Houston are in need of more staff to keep business running soundly. Applying for unemploymentJobless workers can apply for unemployment benefits online or by calling the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Eligibility for unemployment benefits evaluated by TWC based on the following criteria:Past wages“Your past wages are one of the eligibility requirements and the basis of your potential unemployment benefit amounts. We use the taxable wages, earned in Texas, your employer(s) have reported paying you during your base period to calculate your benefits.

HOUSTON – Like most of us, Emily Whitten of Houston is spending almost all her time indoors because of the coronavirus. Luckily for thousands of renters, the Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order last week temporarily putting a halt on all evictions until April 19. However, KPRC 2 Investigates has found that despite that order, hundreds of eviction cases have since been filed in Harris County. One day after the Supreme Court order, 74 new eviction cases were filed on March 20. A total of 223 eviction cases filed since the order went into effect.

Claims for unemployment have flooded the Texas Workforce Commission’s website and phone lines. Here is what you need to know:- Eligibility for unemployment is determined on a case by case basis, but if you were fired for cause by your employer, you can not collect unemployment. - Gamez says whether you are full time, part-time, furloughed or just had your hours reduced because of the coronavirus, you should apply for unemployment. The maximum amount of time you could receive unemployment is 26 weeks. If you want to know how much you would receive in unemployment benefits, this estimator tool can give you an estimate.

HOUSTON – The Texas Workforce Commission has waived requirements to file for unemployment for those individuals who have recently lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. A page full of resources went live earlier this week on twc.texas.gov for both employers and job seekers who are looking for unemployment information while they are out of work. During the pandemic, TWC will waive work search requirements for job seekers. Individuals who lost their job through no fault of their own with reportable past wages can file for unemployment. How to file for unemployment:The quickest way to send your claim is on their online portal, Unemployment Benefits Service.