Texas Workforce Commission Briefing On Unemployment

Texas Workforce Commission head Cisco Gamez held a briefing Wednesday afternoon to update the public about Unemployment compensation. People filed 90 percent of claims online, and the number of servers increased to 20. Call centers are now open seven days a week from 7:00 am-7:00 pm. In addition to the unemployment compensation, adding $600 extra per week to each person’s benefit, now backdated to March 8. Independent contractors and the self-employed are also eligible for compensation.  Compensation increased from 26 weeks to 39 weeks. Gamez emphasized that Texas is hiring. A half-million jobs are currently open on the TWC website – including positions with call centers.