Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Programs ending

As announced May 17, the State of Texas is ending its participation in the federal pandemic unemployment benefit programs. As a result, the final benefit week that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will pay federal pandemic unemployment benefits under the American Rescue Plan is the benefit week ending June 26, 2021. 

This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for those who traditionally do not qualify for regular state benefits, such as self-employed and independent contractors, or exhausted all other benefits; Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program (PEUC) that extends regular state benefits; and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC), which provides an additional $300 weekly benefit payment. 

If you are currently receiving PUA, PEUC, and FPUC federal benefits, you may continue to request payment for all weeks for which you are eligible through the week ending June 26, 2021. If you are on Regular unemployment, the additional $300 a week benefit will end June 26, 2021, but TWC will continue to pay you regular benefits after that date as long as you remain eligible, and you have not exhausted your state benefits. 

The Texas Workforce Commission will be providing additional information to claimants as we transition away from federal pandemic-related benefit programs.