Texas Workforce Commission to Restore Work-Search Requirement

Starting July 6, the Texas Workforce Commission will once again be asking for your work-search history in order to collect unemployment benefits. Be prepared to prove your are actually looking for a job.

According to a report from the Texas Tribune shared by KXXV-TV, the requirement is at least three work search activities a week. Those who are self-employed will need to prove they took at least three steps to reopen their businesses.

These steps can be done virtually. Cisco Gamez, a TWC spokesman, says:

Work search activities can be completed at home without potential exposure to COVID-19,  work search activities could be as simple as searching for work online on WorkinTexas.com or attending a virtual job fair from a local Texas Workforce Solutions Office.

Furloughed employees who have return-to-work dates are exempt from the work-search requirement.

Texans are encouraged to hold onto any records of job searches in case proof of job search is requested.

Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic at all levels of government and in private industry have taken a hefty toll on every state, and Texas hasn't been exempt. According to data from the Texas Workforce Commission, about 300,000 Texans have filed for unemployment in June alone.

Most Texans are hardworking people who take pride in what they do, so it's tough seeing that number. Hopefully as things slowly return to some sort of normal, people can start getting back to work and providing for their families.