We have been getting a ton of calls on this issue this week as businesses are starting to open up. In cases where a person’s employer re-opens but an employee cannot or is afraid to return to work, what happens to their unemployment??

Well, today we have an answer from the Texas Workforce Commission.

Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has issued new guidance for unemployment claimants concerning their eligibility for unemployment benefits should they choose not to return to work at this time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Texans can continue to receive unemployment benefits throughout the COVID-19 response if they choose not to return to work because of certain reasons specified by the TWC.

Unemployment insurance claims are currently being evaluated on an individual basis.

Benefits would be granted for following reasons by the TWC if the individual refused work:

At High Risk: People 65 years or older are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
Household member at high risk: People 65 years or older are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
Diagnosed with COVID: The individual has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas and is not recovered.
Family member with COVID: Anybody in the household has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas and is not recovered and 14 days have not yet passed.
Quarantined: Individual is currently in 14-day quarantine due to close contact exposure to COVID-19.
Child care: Child’s school or daycare closed and no alternatives are available.

Link to the Governor’s press release.

Learn More: Texas Unemployment Guide