Unemployed Texas Residents Can Apply For $300 Added Benefit

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Workforce Commission has applied for additional unemployment benefit funding made available through a presidential order that would yield $300 weekly for resident receiving unemployment benefits as a result of the coronavirus, officials said Thursday.

The added benefits would be possible through the presidential Lost Wage Assistance Executive Order. If granted, the funding will provide the extra benefits for qualifying Texas residents.

"The Lost Wage Assistance program will provide crucial financial support to Texans who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Gov. Greg Abbott said in a prepared statement. "Texas is grateful to President Trump for making these funds available to individuals and asks that our federal partners quickly grant this request so that TWC can swiftly administer this funding to Texans."

Signed on Aug. 8, the move provides $300 a week in additional unemployment payments to claimants eligible for more than $100 of certain state unemployment benefits who are experiencing unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott explained. Claimants currently receiving unemployment through Texas Workers Commission should continue to request payments as normal. Eligible claimants should expect to receive the additional benefits on their first payment request on or after Aug. 23. These funds will be backdated to the benefit week ending Aug. 1.

The additional funding garnered approval on Friday, prompting a response from the governor: "I thank the Trump administration for swiftly granting these funds to help Texans who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Abbott wrote in a prepared statement. "These funds will help Texans in need support their families as we work to revitalize the economy and get Texans back to work."

To apply for unemployment benefits or to request payment visit ui.texasworkforce.org. All claimants should keep their mailing and email addresses current in the unemployment benefits services system to prevent delays.