Tier-III Unemployment Benefits Extended to Texans

Houston – On Wednesday, October 3, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced that Tier III benefits under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act will be extended to unemployed Texans beginning October 7, 2012.  This nine-week extension brings the total number of weeks that an eligible claimant can receive benefits to a maximum of 63 weeks.

The nine-week extension was reinstated because Texas’ average unemployment rate was greater than 7% over the previous three months.

“It’s disappointing to see that the average unemployment rate in Texas has gone up, but I’m glad that Tier III assistance is now available for people who are still actively trying to get back in the workforce,” said Rep. Green.

Approximately 32,000 Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants who have exhausted all previous tiers of benefits may be eligible for the extension.  TWC will send eligible claimants a letter with instructions to call to reopen their Emergency Unemployment Compensation claim.

For more information, visit the Texas Workforce Commission's Unemployment Benefits Services.

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