Texas is Tough on those Seeking Unemployment

Texas has largely managed to weather recent economic storms with a labor market that is diverse and generally resistant to fluctuations in the financial climate. But thousands of workers have found themselves unexpectedly out of a job as some companies have had to rollback costs.

Layoffs and money-motivated terminations put employees in a difficult bind. Not only do they have to figure out how to get by on a swiftly reduced income, but they also have to seek a new position from an ever-diminishing supply of available jobs. The competition for those jobs is fierce, as highly qualified individuals have also been caught by the swing of an employer's axe.

The unemployment insurance system is designed to help dismissed workers and their families cope with the difficulties that accompany the loss of a job. This is so they may be sustained until a new employment opportunity is available. In Texas since 1976, only about 22 % of jobless claims have been approved for benefit payments, meaning that nearly 4 in 5 unemployed Texans is denied the safety net that these payments provide. To put that figure into perspective, the average approval rate nationwide hovers around 35 %.

Requirements to Receive Unemployment Benefits

Part of the struggle can be attributed to the rigorous requirements that an individual must attain to qualify for unemployment benefits. It is estimated that approximately 3 out of every 4 unemployed Texans do not meet all the standards, calling into question the effectiveness of the system. Among the stipulations are the following:

• A worker cannot be in any measure responsible for his or her termination
• Unemployed workers have to carry out a vigorous job search every week
• They must have no impediments to a full-time employment opportunity
• Workers must have earned more than $2,146 in the 12 month period prior to filing

Contact Us

You simply cannot afford to take a chance with your unemployment benefits. To speak with an experienced Houston unemployment lawyer, contact the Ross Law Group at 713-482-6910. Let us help you through this challenging season.