AUSTIN — On June 16, the Texas Workforce Commission took action to provide guidance to unemployment claimants concerning their continued eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits (UI) should they refuse rehire.
Each UI benefits case is currently evaluated on an individual basis; however, because of the COVID-19 emergency, the following are reasons benefits would be granted if the individual refused suitable work. Reasons for refusal include:
Reasons for refusal include:
• People 65 years or older, and/or people with medical issues, like heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system, or are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID‑19.
• Household member at high risk, including people 65 years or older or are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
• Diagnosed with COVID. The individual has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas and is not recovered.
• Family member with COVID. Anybody in the household has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas, is not recovered, and 14 days have not yet passed.
• Quarantined. Individual is currently in 14-day quarantine due to close contact exposure to COVID-19.
• Child’s school or daycare is closed, and no reasonable alternatives are available.
Any other situation will be subject to a case-by-case review by TWC based on individual circumstances.