Coverage - Unemployment Compensation 

Recent unemployment claims filed in Texas have made a major impact on school districts. Find out more about the federal CARES Act and how to work with the Texas Workforce Commission.

Record unemployment has touched every industry over the last few months, including school districts. Rises in the number of unemployment claims will likely lead to increases in coverage contributions in the next year. School district employers can act now to protect their unemployment compensation accounts.

Summer vacation and other scheduled breaks can complicate unemployment claims, even under normal circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing all of us to adapt to a new normal that carries even more challenges and complications. Here are the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and unemployment claims fielded by TASB Unemployment Compensation Attorney James Ezell.

School districts face the unique challenge of substitutes filing for unemployment benefits. It is probably one of the most common situations we receive questions about and one of the hardest to explain. Let’s dive into it.

Sending Letters of Reasonable Assurance is a provision that exists in the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act to protect school districts.

If you’re reading this during the summer months, take a moment to check your mail after you’ve finished the article. If school is not in session, neither are many of your employees, and it is the peak time period for support and auxiliary personnel to file claims for unemployment benefits. You may have notice of a new unemployment claim sitting in your mailbox right now.

Most employers are familiar with the first line of defense in fighting unnecessary unemployment claims, which is showing the Texas Workforce Commission that the claimant was separated from employment for misconduct or quit the job while work was still available.

Terminating employees can be among the most difficult duties facing supervisors. You should do your best to avoid undue unemployment compensation claims and lawsuits by documenting properly with clear language.

Recently, some TASB Risk Management Fund members reported receiving potentially fraudulent Unemployment Compensation (UC) claim notices from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for individuals who are still employed and who have not filed any claims for unemployment benefits. These claims were filed by an unknown person or group in an attempt to fraudulently receive unemployment compensation payments directly from TWC.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, we have often received questions from districts about how to respond to disaster unemployment claims they have received. Learn about what to do if you receive these claims.

Based upon new guidance from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Tax Department, superintendents are considered employees for purposes of reporting wages to the TWC.

Submitting an appeal for an unemployment compensation claim on the Texas Workforce Commission's website can be easy and convenient, but make sure you provide all the pertinent information.