Thread by @ErinForYall

.@TXWorkforce just held their weekly call for legislators and staff. Here are the highlights. Thread. #hd45

Since the week ending 03/14, @TXWorkforce has received over 2.3 M claims and paid out over $4.6 B in unemployment benefits to Texans affected by #COVID19. $2.8 B of that has been paid in the extra $600/week payments & $294.2 M paid in federal pandemic unemployment assistance.

All 8 call centers are still working 7AM-7PM, 7 days a week. This past Monday, 97,307 callers placed ~1.1 M call attempts to the call centers, a decrease from last Monday which had ~116K unique callers place 1.5 M call attempts.

This past weekend, @TXWorkforce brought online all of the federal pandemic unemployment insurance benefits enacted under the #CARESAct. Notices are being sent to individuals who have exhausted their regular benefits with instructions for how to get federal benefits.

.@TXWorkforce is also reviewing tax returns submitted by self-employed/independent contractors. If their review determines that someone should receive more than they're currently receiving, the weekly amount will be updated & they will receive retroactive payments.

Some FAQs: If you received your state benefit payment but it didn't include the $600/week payment, it is bc the $600/week payment was authorized (per federal law) to be paid for the period running from 04/04-07/25. Payments made prior to 04/04 will not include $600/week payment.

If you received a paper payment request form and you're not sure what to do with it, you can disregard it and make your payment request through your online account or the automated tele-serve system.

For those who have exhausted their regular benefits & are wondering what you need to do to get the extended benefits passed under the #CARESAct, @TXWorkforce is sending out notices right now providing you w instructions for activating extended benefits. Just wait for the notice.

Are you an essential worker & need childcare? Check out find.frontlinechildcare.texas.gov to find daycare facilities. Currently, daycare centers are only officially open for children of essential workers & are not yet authorized to be open to the public per guidance from medical experts.

If you're receiving unemployment and can go back to work but don't have childcare, you'll continue to receive benefits without risk of losing them until childcare is available in your area.

If you don't have direct deposit to receive your unemployment benefits, @TXWorkforce will send you a debit card with your payment amount.

.@TXWorkforce's website has several pages dedicated to FAQs and childcare questions. All of the pages can be found in the red COVID-19 banner at the top of the main page. twc.texas.gov

Thanks again to @TXWorkforce for continuing to keep us updated. #hd45