1

Streamlines the UI claims process for employers faced with layoffs:

Permanent or temporary Ten or more employees at one time

2

Employers can submit basic worker information on behalf of their employees to initiate a claim for unemployment benefits

3

Employers send laid off employee data to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Unemployment Insurance Support Services Division

Names

Addresses

Social Security numbers

Certain demographic data

4(continued)

5(continued)

activate their claim by requesting paymentinternet payment requestTeleServ

6(continued)

If a potential claimant does not request payment: TWC does not activate the claimclaimant does not receive unemployment benefit payments 7

eliminates the need to respond to written notice of application for each individual filing a claim

automatically makes employers a party of interest to each claim filed (continued) 8

allows submission of the workers’ final week's earnings, helping to ensure proper payment

permits the employer to submit the layoff information prior to the layoff

9(continued)

permits the submission of Wages in Lieu of Advance Notice of Layoff information, reducing subsequent contact by TWC

10

allows workers to establish claims more efficiently and easily than filing on their own

eliminates hold on the claim because TWC already has the information from the employer

11

12

Call the Mass Claims unit to discuss the layoff with a mass claims specialist:

512 463-2999

Complete the pre-formatted mass claim agreement letter and spreadsheet

E-mail the completed forms to the Mass Claims Unit as soon as possible

13

Discusses the layoff specifics with the employer

Reviews the submitted documents

Processes the spreadsheets

14(continued)

Notifies the employer of the expected processing date of the mass claim

Provides the Mass Claim Information sheet for the workers

Provides follow-up services to the employer

15

Complete the mass claims spreadsheet and agreement letter

Send in the completed forms early

Respond to all inquiries from the mass claims unit

16(continued)

Advise the workers that they are using the mass claims process

Hand out the mass claims Information Sheet to all workers

17

Mass Claims Unit512-463-2999

Email: uimassclaims@twc.state.tx.us

Forms available on www.twc.state.tx.us

Keyword: Mass Claims Process 18

19

offers an alternative to employers facing a reduction in force

reduces the hours of work among a specific group of employees

20

Wages lost to the worker as a result of reduced

hours are supplemented by a partial unemployment

benefit amount.

21

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To participate, an employer must:

reduce the normal weekly hours of an employee in an affected unit

by at least 10 percent no more than 40 percent(continued)

23

To participate, an employer must:

reduce at least 10 percent of the employees in that unit

submit the shared work application to TWC for approval

24

Trained workers are retained

Workers must accept all work offered by the employer during this period

Workers must be physically able to work and available for full time work during this period

(continued)

25

Employers can have multiple shared work plans to fit their needs

Employers provide TWC with the payroll information, ensuring proper reporting

(continued)

26

Employers can alternate weeks of shared work and weeks of full employment

Shared work plan lasts for one year

(continued)

27

Plan does not affect hiring or firing decisions

Employers can reapply when the current plan expires

28

Part time employees cannot participate

Affects unemployment insurance tax and experience rating

Reduction of hours due to seasonal work cannot be covered under shared work

29

Short application for shared work

No waiting week

No work search

Wages from other employment are not reportable

(continued)

30

Employer gives TWC payroll information so the worker does not have to call TeleServ or request payment

Payment made by debit card

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Employer submits shared work application to TWC

TWC approves the application and sends the application for UI for the workers to complete

(continued)

32

Employer returns the completed applications to TWC

TWC processes the applications and notifies the workers of their benefits

(continued)

33

Employer gives TWC payroll information weekly or biweekly

TWC enters the payroll information and pays the worker

34

The amount of shared work benefits is the percentage of regular Unemployment benefits that equals the percentage reduction in work hours

(continued)

35

If there is a 20 percent reduction in hours, 20 percent of the weekly benefit amount will be paid

Worker must work at least 24 to 36 hours a week to qualify (continued)

36

Claimants will fall under regular UI rules if they work:

less than 24 hours a weekmore than 36 hours a

week

37

The shared work applicant is eligible for $200 per week in regular unemployment benefits

(continued)

38

Normal work hours per week = 40

Employer reduces the hours by 20 percent - (40 x .20 = 8 hours)• $200 x .20 = $40Employee receives $40 in

unemployment benefits each week in addition to their regular wages for the 32 hours of work

39

Shared Work Unit512-463-2999

Forms available on www.twc.state.tx.us

Keyword: Shared Work