WIOA Adult Program

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas helps eligible unemployed and underemployed adults and dislocated workers acquire industry-recognized training and credentials for in-demand jobs through various federally funded employment, training and support services. Click here to learn more and find out if you’re eligible!

On June 30, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced it will delay the reinstatement of work search requirements for unemployment benefits. This requirement, which is federal law, was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From the outset, TWC has stated that bringing back work search would be conditions-based. Information about 

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas can help you get you back to work:

• Register for one of our Virtual Hiring Events.
• Get one-on-one help with registering for or updating your WorkinTexas.com account by calling us at 254-296-5260, emailing us at questions@hotworkforce.com, chatting with a live agent online, or submitting our online Contact Request Form.
• Check out our Jobs Now page and view job descriptions and apply for current job openings.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your employment, you can apply for unemployment benefits through the Texas Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. This program pays benefits to those individuals who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) determines benefit eligibility based on past wages, why someone lost their job and ongoing eligibility requirements.

Although the US government and Texas legislature have not changed any laws or rules concerning unemployment benefits during the pandemic, the Department of Labor guidance provides that federal law permits significant flexibility for states to provide Unemployment Insurance (UI) services related to COVID-19. Based on this, TWC stated it will waive work search requirements for all claimants and the waiting week for those claimants affected by COVID-19.

The following are the various ways you can apply for benefits:

• Online: The fastest way to obtain unemployment information and apply for benefits is online via the TWC website at ui.texasworkforce.org, which is available 24/7. Having issues applying online? TWC recommends trying the online portal between 10 pm and 8 am when volume is lower. Try back during those hours to apply for benefits, check the status of your claim, or request benefit payment.
• Call: If you don’t have access to a computer or phone with Internet, you can call the TWC Unemployment Benefits Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 Monday through Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm. Wait times may be longer than usual due to the increased demand for assistance.
• Additional Help: Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas staff, services and resources are still available to you by phone, chat, email and online. Please call us at 254-296-5260 or 254-296-5312, email us at questions@hotworkforce.com or chat with us online between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Additional Unemployment Benefits Resources

• How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits (PDF)
• Unemployment Eligibility Scenarios for Job Seekers (Word Doc)
• UI Handout Claimants (PDF)
• Mass UI Claim – Next Steps (PDF)
• Unemployment Benefit Claim Help & Resources (PDF)

Return to Work Guidance from TWC (added 5.11.20)

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has issued guidance to unemployment claimants concerning their continued eligibility for unemployment benefits (UI) should they refuse rehire.

Each UI benefits case is currently evaluated on an individual basis. However, because of the COVID-19 emergency, the following are reasons benefits would be granted if the individual refused suitable work.

Reason for refusal:

• At High Risk – People 65 years or older are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 (Source DSHS website).
• Household member at high risk – People 65 years or older are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (source DSHS website).
• 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.

Any other situation will be subject to a case by case review by the Texas Workforce Commission based on individual circumstances.

WorkinTexas.com is the state’s largest online job search database, providing users with access to more than 480,000 private and public sector job postings state wide. While anyone can use the system’s job search feature, you must register in WorkinTexas.com in order to upload or create a resume, directly apply for available jobs, set up job search alerts, and allow employers to find you based on your credentials.

Use the links below for instructions on how to register in WorkinTexas, search for jobs and upload a resume. If you need additional assistance, check out our Virtual Events page for live WorkinTexas workshops. You can also submit a Contact Request Form to request 1-on-1 assistance from staff or click the “Chat with Us” icon in the bottom right corner of your screen to chat with a live agent during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm).

• Why register in WorkinTexas.com? Watch Video (1:15 minutes) | En Espanol
• How to Register for WorkinTexas.com (PDF)
• How to Register in WorkinTexas.com: Watch Video (2:10 minutes) | En Espanol
• How to Search for Jobs in WorkinTexas.com: Watch Video (2:15 minutes) | En Espanol
• How to Create a Resume in WorkinTexas.com: Watch Videos (click on Creating a Resume in Table of Contents on the left)

The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division remain committed to ensuring labor and standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. To contact the Wage and Hour Division confidentially, call the toll-free help line at 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Questions can be emailed to WHD-COVID19@dol.gov.

• Click here to access information regarding third party complaints.
• Click here to access information regarding COVID-19 and Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
• Access to the recorded FFCRA webinar training can be found at: Webinar: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
•  How to File a Complaint (PDF)
•  Fair Labor Standards Act Digital Reference Guide (PDF)

For most taxpayers, payments are automatic, and no further action is needed. No further action is needed if you:

• have already filed your tax returns this year for 2019. The IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount.
• haven’t filed yet for 2019 but filed a 2018 federal tax return. For these taxpayers the IRS will use their information from 2018 tax filings to make the Economic Impact Payment calculations.

The IRS provided the below infographics with additional information to help you. Click to view.

IRS What You Need to Know Infographic

IRS If You Need to File Infographic

Veterans Assistance in the Heart of Texas Region

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has provided a list of resources for employment, mental health, food assistance, financial, utility and housing. Click here for the list of resources.

Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) provides a variety of Vocational Rehabilitation services that assist eligible individuals with a disability in preparing for, obtaining, retaining or advancing in competitive integrated employment. You may be eligible for services, depending upon how your disability interferes with work.

For information regarding services and to request a phone-based appointment with a TWS-VRS counselor, please call 866-982-9226 and press option 6. For additional information, please click here to visit the Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation Services web page.

Free Internet

Many Internet and mobile service providers are offering free Internet via public access to Wifi hotspots to help individuals, students, businesses and communities during this time including:

• Spectrum Mobile
• Xfinity
• AT&T
• Waco Public Library and Waco Convention Center’s Wifi service is free to the public. Wifi can be accessed in parking lots near the buildings at all four Waco-McLennan County Library locations (East, South, West and Central) from 7 am to 11 pm and 24/7 at the Convention Center. Click here for more information.

TWC Resources for JobSeekers

TWC’s Resources for JobSeekers web page lists helpful information about unemployment benefits, next steps after applying for unemployment, child care and early learning information, links to news and updates, and an option to subscribe to updates.

TWC also provides the following Unemployment Benefits resources and information:

• TWC waives certain requirements for unemployment benefits
• Unemployment Benefits Handbook
• Eligibility & Benefit Amounts
• Unemployment Benefits Electronic Correspondence
• View Claim & Payment Status
• Request Benefit Payments
• Unemployment Benefits Fraud

Fraudulent COVID-19 Test Kit Warning

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about unauthorized fraudulent test kits that are being marketed to test for COVID-19 in the home. The FDA has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing at home for COVID-19. Click here to read the full announcement.