Rep. Doggett: Texas Democrats Urge Abbott to Lift Administrative Burden in Unemployment Benefits, Streamline Process for Over Million

WASHINGTON, April 29 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following news release:

As more than 1.4 million Texans have filed for unemployment insurance amid the deepening economic crisis, and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) struggles to handle the influx, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, led all congressional Texas Democrats in urging Governor Abbott to help Texans experiencing ongoing delays in continuing their unemployment benefits by temporarily waiving the current biweekly recertification requirement. By relieving both unemployed Texans and the TWC of this requirement, Abbott could help far more people access needed aid faster.

"The Texas Workforce Commission seems to still be sinking under the weight of this crisis and leaving too many unemployed Texans without a life boat," said Congressman Doggett. "We can help keep the Commission afloat and keep more Texans on board by removing administrative burdens that are delaying much-needed support. Texans shouldn't have to risk further delay because an over-burdened TWC does not receive their unemployment affirmation. This red tape hurdle should be cut for the duration of this crisis."

"In order to continue receiving unemployment insurance disbursements, an individual is required to request payment every two weeks through what is known as 'certification' or 're-certification,'" the members write. "While this requirement can theoretically be completed online, for the many Texans still reporting online access difficulties, the only alternative is to reach TWC by phone, which remains exceedingly difficult, and which further delays payments that some have awaited for weeks... Some workforce commissions in other states have temporarily waived this re-certification requirement. After waiver, the unemployed, all of whom have been previously approved for compensation, are still required to notify TWC if they return to work or report changes in earnings."

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April 28, 2020

To: The Honorable Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Dear Governor Abbott:

As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused historically unprecedented layoffs and furloughs of working Texans, resulting in unemployment insurance applications from more than 1.4 million. Despite increased federal funding to assist with the administration of unemployment claims, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has struggled to process and administer benefits in a timely manner. Too many Texans, desperate for financial support, are experiencing ongoing difficulties accessing the unemployment compensation system administered jointly by the U.S. Department of Labor and TWC. We are concerned that the TWC's current verification requirements are making this problem worse.

In order to continue receiving unemployment insurance disbursements, an individual is required to request payment every two weeks through what is known as "certification" or "re-certification." While this requirement can theoretically be completed online, for the many Texans still reporting online access difficulties, the only alternative is to reach TWC by phone, which remains exceedingly difficult, and which further delays payments that some have awaited for weeks.

Some workforce commissions in other states have temporarily waived this re-certification requirement. After waiver, the unemployed, all of whom have been previously approved for compensation, are still required to notify TWC if they return to work or report changes in earnings. Your support of a temporary waiver in Texas would help to ease the strain on both TWC, encouraging its more expeditious application processing, and on the many Texans currently forced to spend exasperating hours to get through phone lines and crashing online systems.

Accordingly, we respectfully urge you to request that the Texas Workforce Commission waive the two-week certification requirement for the duration of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your prompt response.

See signatories here https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/texas-democrats-urge-abbott-lift-administrative-burden-unemployment