Thread by @ErinForYall

Just got off the call @TXWorkforce hosts for legislators and staff. Call volumes continue to remain high with over 1 million call attempts a day, but they're working hard to assist people as quickly as possible. Thread. #hd45 #COVID__19

All 8 call centers are now up and running. With the emergency hiring of new staff and bringing on the third-party call centers, there are now ~1,200 people answering calls from 7am-7pm every day of the week.

95% of claims are being submitted through @TXWorkforce's online system, and they are still encouraging folks to apply through the website first.

I asked about a situation in which someone believes their workplace is not following the guidelines to safely reopen, & what info they should bring to @TXWorkforce to explain why it's not safe for them to return. TWC recommended reporting the workplace to local health officials.

Then bring evidence of making that report to @TXWorkforce. Making the report is key - even if there is no investigation into the workplace - to demonstrating to TWC that there's a valid concern about the safety of returning to work.

.@TXWorkforce has issued a list of acceptable reasons for not returning to work. Reasons include being high-risk, having a family member who is high-risk, testing positive for #COVID__19, etc. They're referencing @TexasDSHS's website to determine who is included as high-risk.

Everything will be decided on a case-by-case basis. I asked how long these determinations are expected to take, and they said not long. They will not make people who are relying on this assistance to meet basic needs wait unnecessarily while they're making the determination.

I also asked about what the timeline looks like for extended benefits to go online. @TXWorkforce anticipates being able to address these claims by the end of next week so that they can begin moving forward starting the following week.

If you've already exhausted your benefits, you do not need to do anything. Just wait on the notice from @TXWorkforce (which should be going out soon) with more information about the next steps you need to take.

That notice will come to you via mail or electronically, depending on which you've selected as your preferred method of communication.

Another question was asked about folks returning to work part-time. What happens to the federal $600? It's an automatic payment, and every payment going out at this time includes the $600. So as long as you're receiving benefits, you will receive your benefits + $600.

That's it for now. Thanks to @TXWorkforce for the update. Until next call.