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AUSTIN, Texas — Fear of contracting the coronavirus will no longer be an excuse for Texans getting jobless benefits to turn down work. It is a one-two punch paired with Gov. Greg Abbott opting out of the federal program providing $300 supplemental checks to unemployed Texans have been receiving since the start of the pandemic. The Texas Workforce Commission cited low COVID-cases and widespread vaccine availability as their main reasons for their decision.
“Benefits are designed for people who are involuntarily out of, out of work. When you voluntarily refuse a job, you really have to have a good excuse, and so it has to be something that it would really put you at danger,” James Bernsen, TWC’s deputy communications director, told Capital Tonight.
The announcement came weeks after Abbott sent a letter to the U.S. Labor Secretary saying, “The state will focus its efforts on connecting Texans with these job opportunities so they can find meaningful employment to provide for their families.”
Business groups urged the governor to act saying many are struggling to fill open roles.
The policy change feels like a double blow for Rachel Magee, the president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 205.
“It really feels like, [just] as we get back on our feet again, or get some sense of stability, we’re knocked back down,” she said.
While she is looking forward to massive events like the Austin City Limits Music Festival in the fall, Magee said work is only slowly starting to pick back up again. Magee said she would have felt more comfortable if the state accepted Congress’ extension through September.
“It’s hard to hunt for a job that doesn’t exist, you know, we are not going to be able to get back to work, and we sorely want to be back to work,” Magee said. “We’re not going to work at pre pandemic levels, until the end of the fall, so you know, the federal pandemic relief with it continuing through to September was perfect.”
Some of the previous acceptable reasons for refusal were being 65 years or older, being high risk for getting sick, having a household member with high risk, a COVID diagnosis, or child care. TWC officials say they will still work with employees individually.
Bernsen said there are more than 800,000 jobs on their website and they have more than 100 local workforce development centers across the state that offer guidance and training.
“What the new policy will do is really go back to the pre-COVID world, because we’re recognizing we’re in a little different era, and so there will still be exceptions on an individual, case-by-case basis,” Bernsen said.
But that flexibility offers little relief for Magee, who still feels the state’s move is short-sighted. She said she knows members in her organization whose savings are depleted or have already cashed in on their retirement.
“Basically, what you’re doing is forcing people into low wage jobs, or potentially unsafe jobs, and how are we okay with that?” Magee said.
TWC officials said ending the guidance on work refusal is to some degree connected to Abbott ending the supplemental federal benefits. That is why these programs are ending on June 26.
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