Additional $25 Per Week in Unemployment Benefits Tops $100 Million

Jun 8, 2009

Texas Workforce Commission

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has distributed more than $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) unemployment funds since February 22, 2009, when ARRA provided a $25 increase to weekly unemployment benefits.

Eligible Texans began receiving the additional amount in unemployment benefits beginning mid-March. The increase is effective for all initial claims filed through December 26, 2009.

“The $100 million for increased unemployment benefits supplied by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being pumped back into the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken.

The increase is federally funded, and Texas employers do not contribute the additional benefits. TWC administers unemployment benefits to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and are actively seeking work.

Claimants may receive unemployment benefit information online through texasworkforce.org or by using our e-mail form. A staff member will call you back within 48 hours. Claimants may also contact a UI Tele-Center listed below:

Austin local: (512) 340-4300
Dallas local: (214) 252-1200
El Paso local: (915) 832-6400
Fort Worth local: (817) 420-1600
Houston local: (281) 983-1100
McAllen local: (956) 984-4700
San Antonio local: (210) 258-6600
Others call toll free: (800) 939-6631

Reemployment services are available through Texas Workforce Centers at www.texasworkforce.org or by accessing http://www.WorkInTexas.com for information.


The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the programs it offers in unison with its network of local workforce development boards, call (512) 463-8556 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.