AUSTIN (1080 KRLD) - In light of the rising number of unemployed due to the coronavirus outbreak Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made changes to the current Unemployment Insurance system to remove barriers to eligibility and receive benefits sooner.
Gov. Abbott and the Texas Workforce Commission have waived the one-week waiting period to qualify for benefits and the work-search requirement.
The Texas AFL-CIO is applauding the move.
Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy issued this statement: "The state has taken an important positive step to help Texas working people who lose their jobs because of the coronavirus. We thank Gov. Abbott and the Texas Workforce Commission for responding to our call to remove barriers to Unemployment Insurance benefits. We will continue to advocate for other measures to help working families during this pandemic, including the urgent need for paid sick leave to protect all Texas residents."
