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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

Resources

Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas is focused on protecting the health of our staff, customers and partners while doing all we can to ensure our services remain accessible to all. With that in mind, we ask your understanding that the process for delivering our services may change from time to time in order to follow guidance from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and local government and health officials. Here is where you will find information and updates on how we are responding to the pandemic.

Please keep in mind that information pertaining to COVID-19 can change rapidly. Visit this page often for the most recent updates.

Job Seekers

We are open for business, with our staff working virtually to assist you by phone, email and online. Please visit our workforce center page, where you can find the phone number and email address for the center nearest you. We know many of you have questions regarding Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Please visit the Texas Workforce Commission website for information on unemployment benefits as well as necessary documents, including a wage claim form.

Employers

We are fully committed to providing you with the level of responsiveness and service that you have come to rely on. We understand that this pandemic has affected each business differently; we stand ready to help you weather the storm. If you need to hire workers immediately, our Business Services Professionals can connect you with the skilled talent you need. We can also present you with solutions if you are faced with the extremely difficult decision of adjusting your workforce due to coronavirus’ impact on your operations. Read about TWC's Shared Work Program as an alternative to layoffs. Whatever the circumstance, we’re here to support you. Please contact us at employers@dfwjobs.com.

Child Care

For our customers who participate in the Texas Workforce Commission subsidized child care program, the Commission has determined that children may accrue absences without impacting ongoing eligibility for services. Please visit the TWC website for more information about child care. Effective June 1, 2020, TWC will implement new Stabilization Grants designed to help defray some expenses being incurred by closed child care providers who participate in the subsidy program. Read more about Stabilization Grants.

Child Care Business Support

Thursday, January 21, 2021

The most recent stimulus bill includes another round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding, but also changes and extends other stimulus programs which could be beneficial for early care and education organizations. PPP applications are due by March 31, 2021. A guide to help child care facilities determine eligibility, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to apply, is available in English and Spanish.

TWC Reinstates Requirements Regarding Duration of Child Care Subsidy

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Effective November 1, 2020, the Texas Workforce Commission will reinstate the requirement to provide no less than three months of child care following a permanent job loss. Customers who have already received three or more months of child care following permanent job loss will be provided four additional weeks of child care to allow them to meet work or education requirements (25 hours per week) so that they can meet eligibility for a new 12-month eligibility period. Therefore, at a minimum, all customers will continue to receive child care through Friday, November 27, 2020, or until the end of their current eligibility period, whichever date is later.

Important Things to Remember:

  • Work requirement is reinstated effective November 1, 2020. Unemployed customers will no longer be allowed more than three months of subsidized child care benefits.
  • November 27, 2020 is the last day for unemployed customers to receive subsidized child care benefits. Additional extensions will not be granted.

If you have questions or are interested in being referred to our Workforce Center staff for job search resources, please call us at 800-234-9306 to speak with a Child Care Representative.

TWC Outlines New Requirements for Child Care

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Effective June 1,  the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will reinstate the requirement for parents receiving financial assistance to pay for a portion of their child care costs. If parents are unable to meet this financial obligation, they must contact the Child Care Contact Center at (800) 234-9306 or send a status change by using the following link: https://ecm.nctcog.org/Forms/report_eligibility_change. 

TWC will continue to pay child care providers when children are absent, and is paying a 25% enhanced reimbursement rate over and above what child care programs regularly receive for those programs that remain open.

TWC Gives Unemployment Guidance for Self-Employed, Contract and Gig Workers

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) advises self-employed, contract and gig workers who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) using Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS).

During the application process, when UBS asks non-traditional workers the reason for their job separation, they should select “reduced hours.” If their reduced hours are a result of COVID-19, they should also select “COVID-19” under the disaster impact section. The system will then display questions they need to answer to complete their claim.

Visit the TWC website for additional information and instructions.

Replay Now Available: Employers Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Commissioner Aaron Demerson

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The video of our Employers Virtual Town Hall Meeting and Q&A Session with the TWC Commissioner Representing Employers, Aaron Demerson, is now available. The meeting provided employers with access, information and resources to help them navigate through this changing COVID-19 landscape. 

TWC has committed to answering questions that were not able to be addressed during the meeting for lack of time, and we will share with you that information as soon as it’s available. In the meantime, you may contact the Texas Workforce Commission directly with questions through the dedicated Employer Hotline (800-832-9394) or email address (employerinfo@twc.state.tx.us).  

We would like to once again express our appreciation for Commission Demerson and his legal counsel team – Tommy Simmons, Velissa Chapa and Elsa Ramos; as well as Bridget Moon, the Small Business Administration’s Economic Development Specialist and Veterans Business Development Officer, for sharing their expertise during the call.

Employers Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Commissioner Aaron Demerson

NOTE: Essential Worker applications are no longer being accepted. If you are interested in subsidy child care for low income families, please go to our child care page to see if you meet eligibility requirements and to apply for our waitlist.

Child Care for Essential Workers

Friday, April 3, 2020

With the closure of schools and child care programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many frontline Essential Worker parents and guardians are in need of child care. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides funding that can be used to subsidize child care for COVID-19 essential personnel who need to continue working during this emergency.

Since funding is limited, Boards must prioritize child care services for TWC COVID-19 essential workers in the order listed:

  1. Workers in child care services that support workers in other essential functions
  2. Pharmacy and health care workers
  3. First responders
  4. Critical infrastructure workers in grocery, utilities, and trucking
  5. Other identified infrastructure workers, which include:
    • critical state and local government staff;
    • mail/delivery services;
    • nursing homes, home health care, and other direct care providers;
    • banks;
    • gas stations;
    • military; and
    • restaurants and other food delivery

If you work in any of these occupations or industries, you may be eligible for essential worker child care services. If you are a two-parent family, then both parents must currently be working in one of the occupations or industries listed above during the COVID-19 crisis.

Parent Share of Cost (PSOC) for Child Care Waived

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Effective April 1, 2020, and until further notice, all parents who are receiving subsidy child care services will have their parent share of cost (PSOC) waived. Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas (WSNCT)/North Central Texas Council of Governments will make additional payments to child care providers the week of April 6-10, for April PSOC. Future payments for PSOC will be made on or before the 5th of each month.

This additional payment will be based on WSNCT’s average PSOC which is calculated by our funding agency, the Texas Workforce Commission. This payment will be in amount of $106.92 per child, per month.

We hope that this will assist both parents and providers as we navigate through the COVID-19 environment. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the Child Care Services Contact Center at 800-234-9306.

Employers Virtual Town Hall Meeting and Q&A Session with Commissioner Aaron Demerson

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas always strives to provide you with valuable workforce insight as well as access to information and resources to help your business thrive. Now, more than ever, we’re determined to bring you opportunities that can help you navigate the COVID-19 environment.

It is in this spirit that we invite you to join us for a special virtual town hall meeting and Q&A session that we have arranged with the TWC Commissioner Representing Employers, Aaron Demerson.

The conference call is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 10:00 am. 

The purpose of this call is to give employers an opportunity to hear directly from Commissioner Demerson regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Demerson will discuss business services and employment law, as well as answer questions from the employer community.  

We strongly encourage you to join us in this discussion to gain insight and voice your questions and concerns. Register for the conference call using the link below. 

Event has ended

We value our partnership with you and hope we can continue to serve as a trusted resource as we move through this changing landscape. 

TWC One-Page Reference Guides for Filing Unemployment Benefit Claims

Thursday, March 26, 2020

The Texas Workforce Commission has created one-page reference guides to help when applying for unemployment insurance benefits. The reference guide for individuals (in English and in Spanish) and the reference guide for employers list instructions for filing or managing claims as well as contact information for help and available resources.

Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) Has Been Cancelled

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

After careful consideration, the Texas Workforce Commission has decided to cancel Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) for the 2020 program year.  We understand how valuable the SEAL program is to both students with disabilities and employers, and we acknowledge the hard work of Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Student HireAbility Navigators, Workforce staff, Schools, Counselors and others who have dedicated countless hours to ensuring the program’s success. We look forward to next year, and thank you in advance for your continued partnership in providing paid work experience to students with disabilities in North Central Texas.  

iWork: Externship Has Been Cancelled

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Following Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA 08 and guidance received from our funding agency, Texas Workforce Commission, we made the decision to cancel our iWork: Externship initiative. 

While this was a difficult decision, we take seriously our role in supporting our community and health care professionals in the ongoing goal of containing the spread of coronavirus.

Additionally, we are hopeful that this change will give educators an opportunity to enjoy their summer break in full and recover from the evolving events affecting school closures and their own workload. In turn, we hope the change affords our employers with the opportunity to focus on their own employees and business objectives.

This initiative has been in the works for several months and reflected the shared efforts of scores of volunteers, employers, educators and community partners. We appreciate your understanding and value your continued partnership in future events.

WSNCT Workforce Centers Go Virtual; Staff Remains Ready to Serve Customers via Phone, Email, Online

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

With the continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we all find ourselves in uncharted territory. We are diligently listening to and following the advice of medical and government officials as the situation in our region and across the globe changes daily.

Our hearts go out to everyone whose health and livelihood has been impacted by this pandemic. The safety and well-being of our staff, customers, partners and communities are of the utmost importance to us. With that in mind, we wanted to share these latest developments with you:

We thank for your patience and understanding as we navigate this changing landscape. We will keep you informed of any new developments as we follow guidance from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and local government and health officials.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits & Other Resources

Texas Workforce Commission Unemployment Information & Resources

For Job Seekers

  • Unemployment Benefits
  • UI Claim Self-Service
  • Precautions for Employees
  • Child Care
  • News and Information

For Employers

  • Unemployment Benefits
  • Tax Department
  • Appeals Notice
  • Precautions for Employers
  • Mass Claims and Shared Work Programs
  • Child Care
  • News and Information

Unemployment
Claims Data

  • Claims by County
  • Interactive Map of UI Claims Data

NCTCOG Resources

See these additional resources from the North Central Texas Council of Governments:    

NCTCOG Resources
Area Agency on Aging COVID-19 Update

Coronavirus and 911 Navigation

Regional COVID-19 Cases Map

Transportation Department COVID-19 Information

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