This information comes directly from the office of Julian Alvarez, Commissioner Representing Labor for Texas Workforce Commission, and the office of Clay Cole, Division Director, Unemployment Insurance.
UPDATE FROM TWC: Unemployment Guidance for Self-Employed, Contract and Gig Workers
This information applies to the entire state of Texas.
Newly signed federal legislation, the CARES Act, provides for the following expansions to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program—(1) Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) provides $600 per week in additional benefits to claimants for up to 4 months; (2) Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their regular UI benefits; and finally (3) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides up to 39 weeks of benefits for self-employed individuals, independent contractors, or those who otherwise do not qualify for regular UI benefits or PEUC and whose unemployment was caused by the pandemic.
- PUC provides $600 per week in additional benefits to claimants for up to 4 months.
- PEUC provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their regular UI benefits.
- PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits for self-employed individuals, independent contractors, or those who otherwise do not qualify for regular UI benefits or PEUC and whose unemployment was caused by the pandemic.
TWC is coordinating with the federal government and working diligently to begin paying benefits under these new programs as soon as possible. The additional $600 in benefits should be paid automatically as a part of your regular benefit payment effective in the week beginning April 12.
The new PUA program temporarily expands the UI program to apply to the self-employed, contract workers, 1099 employees, gig workers, etc. whose unemployment resulted from the pandemic. Claimants for PUA with no wages on file will get the PUA minimum which is $207 per week plus the additional $600 per week.
If You Already Applied For UI Benefits
You probably see the following message in your Claim and Payment Status online, “You did not earn enough money to establish an Unemployment Benefits claim.”
Don’t panic! The reason is self-employed, contract workers, 1099 employees, gig workers, etc. normally don’t qualify for UI benefits.
For example, If you drove for Uber, Uber didn’t pay UI benefits on your behalf since you are not an Uber employee, instead, you are classified as an independent contractor.
Are you an Independent Contractor filing for unemployment insurance? This message is for you! 👨🏻💻@TXWorkforce pic.twitter.com/PwhOOrbJ5Y
— Julian Alvarez (@AlvarezTWCLabor) April 14, 2020
To increase your benefit amount, you will need to submit documentation to prove your income for the 2019 year. If you have filed your tax return for 2019, please submit that. Otherwise, you will need to submit proof of your most current wages along with your 2018 tax return.
If you have filed your 2019 taxes send the following documents.
- 1040 Tax Return Documents for 2019 (Schedule C, SE, F)
If you have not filed your 2019 taxes yet, send the following documents.
- 1099-K 2019
- 1099-Misc 2019
- Yearly Summary or Monthly Summary
- 1040 Tax Return Documents for 2018
You must include your personal information when submitting your proof of income.
Submitting Directly – Click here to submit documents directly to TWC.
Sending Email – include the following information:
- Email subject should read “Proof of Income“
- Full name
- Last four digits of your social security number
- Phone number
Sending Fax – include the following information:
- Cover Sheet subject should read “Proof of Income“
- Include in the message:
- Full name
- Last four digits of your social security number
- Phone number
You may submit this information to:
Fax: 512-936-3250
Mail: Texas Workforce Commission, P.O. Box 149137, Austin, TX 78714
Email: San Antonio UI Mail sanantonio.uimail@twc.state.tx.us
Continue to request payments.
Contract/Gig Workers in Texas, Apply for PUA Now!
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is now available.
TWC Tips for Applying
The best times to apply online are between the hours of 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM (especially between 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
Texas Workforce Commission recommends gig workers such as Uber drivers list the company they drive for on the application. Only list one of the companies. After you apply, the proof of earnings you have to submit will include all the companies you work for.
For example, an Uber driver would list Uber Technologies, as their employer. You will include their headquarters address and telephone number.
For those of you that are apprehensive to put Uber or Lyft as your employer in fear of committing fraud. Don’t worry, I got this confirmed from the Division Director of Unemployment Insurance at TWC.
| Uber Technologies 1455 Market St #400 San Francisco, CA 94103 (866) 576-1039 | Lyft 185 Berry St #5000 San Francisco, CA 94107 (855) 865-9553 |
Apply for Unemployment Benefits Online
After completing the online application the next step is to submit your wage verification documents. If you receive a message directing you to call the Tele-Center. It is not necessary for you to call the Tele-Center.
To increase your benefit amount, you will need to submit documentation to prove your income for the 2019 year. If you have filed your tax return for 2019, please submit that. Otherwise, you will need to submit proof of your most current wages along with your 2018 tax return.
If you have filed your 2019 taxes send the following documents.
- 1040 Tax Return Documents for 2019 (Schedule C, SE, F)
If you have not filed your 2019 taxes yet, send the following documents.
- 1099-K 2019
- 1099-Misc 2019
- Yearly Summary or Monthly Summary
- 1040 Tax Return Documents for 2018
You must include your personal information when submitting your proof of income.
Submitting Directly – Click here to submit documents directly to TWC.
Sending Email – include the following information:
- Email subject should read “Proof of Income“
- Full name
- Last four digits of your social security number
- Phone number
Sending Fax – include the following information:
- Cover sheet subject should read “Proof of Income“
- Include in the message:
- Full name
- Last four digits of your social security number
- Phone number
You may submit this information to:
Fax: 512-936-3250
Mail: Texas Workforce Commission, P.O. Box 149137, Austin, TX 78714
Email: San Antonio UI Mail sanantonio.uimail@twc.state.tx.us
If you already have a regular UI claim and exhausted all the benefits under that claim, we recommend that you continue to file payment requests every two weeks even after your last payment was made because PEUC provides for an additional 13 weeks of benefits to individuals who have exhausted their right to regular UI benefits. Once this program goes into effect, you can be paid for those weeks for which you filed.
What’s Next?
After sending your proof of income, the next step is to wait for them to make a decision. Keep logging into your online account on the TWC website to check the status of your claim.
How to check the status of your Unemployment Benefits claim in Texas.
Go to My Home, then click on Claim and Payment Status in the Quick Links sidebar on the left.
Once you’re approved you will see the amount you will receive per week. The next step is to check your Correspondence Inbox.
From your My Home page click on Correspondence Inbox in the Quick Links sidebar on the left.
Look for the document titled, “Statement of Wages and Potential Benefit Amounts“, click View PDF, and print the third-page “DUA Proof of Employment Cover Sheet“. Sample below.
Please complete and return this form with your proof of contractual relationship and wages.
Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as Independent Contractors, the section labeled, “For Workers, Employees, or Contract Laborers“. Check the appropriate boxes.
Don’t send your proof of wages again if you sent them already.
Send TWC proof of contractual relationship and wages within 21 DAYS from the date you filed your DUA claim or your benefits will stop.
For example. Uber drivers can send a copy of their most recent daily statement.
Sending Email – include the following information:
- Email subject should read “DUA Proof of Employment Cover Sheet“
- Attach proof of contractual relationship and wages
- Full name
- Last four digits of your social security number
- Phone number
Sending Fax – include the following information:
- DUA Proof of Employment Cover Sheet
- Include proof of contractual relationship and wages
You may submit this information to:
Fax: 512-936-3250
Mail: Texas Workforce Commission
Attn: DUA Proof
101 E. 15th Street, Room 354
Austin, TX 78778
Email: San Antonio UI Mail sanantonio.uimail@twc.state.tx.us
Don’t Forget to Request Payments.
You can receive updates regarding the availability of these programs if you sign up for TWC updates.
IMPORTANT UI UPDATES FROM TWC
- TWC has temporarily waived work search requirements and the waiting week (the first claim week) due to the pandemic. Benefits are paid in the week after you file your first payment requests. Therefore, you can expect your first payment approximately three weeks after you establish your claim.
- At this time, TWC programs for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), or Extended Benefits are not available. The Extended Benefits program may go into effect in the future, but EUC and DUA in all likelihood will not go into effect and instead will be replaced by the newly enacted CARES legislation described above.
For information on employee rights to paid leave under the newly enacted federal legislation, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, please contact the US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, at 1-866-487-9243 or see information on their website.
TWC has no authority to enforce any local “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders. If you feel that your employer is requiring you to work in violation of such local orders, you should contact your local code or law enforcement agency.
If you have a question related to an appeal pending before the Appeal Tribunal or the Commission, please see the information here. ***Important***: if you have an appeal deadline, mail your appeal information immediately to the “Appeals Department, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, Texas, 78778”, file the appeal online or fax a copy to 512-475-1135. Keep proof of timely mailing, faxing, and/or online filing.
Office of Julian Alvarez
Commissioner Representing Labor
Texas Workforce Commission
Disclaimer: this website is not affiliated with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) nor its affiliations. The contents of this article are meant for information purposes only. This website or its affiliations do not guarantee any results or determinations from the information stated in the contents of this article. This website and its affiliations are released from any liabilities that may result from the contents of this article. The information in this article is subject to change without any notice or liabilities.
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Can you tell me if i qualify for this unemployment if I am a retiree and I’m receiving an annuity. Uber is my side gig and I just started doing Lyft in Feb of 2020. What do i need to do?
Thank you for your comment, Darlene. I don’t work for TWC, and I’m only providing general information for Uber drivers to apply for unemployment benefits. I honestly don’t have an answer for you. My suggestion would be to go ahead and apply. You might qualify for PUA.
I’m pretty distraught at this point thus compounding my confusion. I’ve applied for unemployment assistance and my status is 0 weekly benefits & 0 deposited. Are you saying that I now need to ‘prove’ my income by sending them documentation?
If so, will a print out from Uber work? I don’t have my official tax documents and haven’t filed my taxes either. I called uber and they walked me through on how to get a print out but it is NOT on a formal government document.
Please any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment, Kerry. Yes, you need to send them your proof of income. As it says in the post above, “To increase your benefit amount, you will need to submit documentation to prove your income for the 2019 year. If you have filed your tax return for 2019, please submit that. Otherwise, you will need to submit proof of your most current wages along with your 2018 tax return.” I would recommend sending them your Summary from Uber. You can find that if you logon to your account on Uber’s website, go to Earnings, then click on Tax Information. I hope this helps.
San Antonio correct for me as I live in Houston? I have not filed taxes yet for 2018 & 2019. I have located the 2019 copies of Uber’s 1099-K and Lyft’s W-9 forms. I’m sending these and see if they’ll accept it. I’m hiping they will. A big Thank you!.
Awesome! Please keep me updated. You’re welcome. I’m glad to help.
Hey Rideshare Geek,
So I rode for doordash, the year of 2019, and wasn’t employed for the whole year, but got a job in the movie theatre business on Jan 2020 before being shut down due to corona. I sent them a financials for 2019 and got approved but I saw that I have to fill out another form to prove financials, once I got approved. How would I go about filling that out, since I was not self employed At the time of the corona shut down? Sorry if you answered this already in the article, just confused on some verbiage.
Thank you for your comment, David. I’m honestly not sure how to answer your question. I don’t work for TWC. You should really reach out to them. I’m guessing you should get regular UI benefits from your W-2 movie theater job.
So I got approved for PUA and it said the claim started for the week of March 15th. So will I get back pay including the $600 a week, that I’m owed or is that not how it works?
Did you get approved for the $207 DUA? The way they have been doing it, is they back pay DUA for March, then the $600 kicks in Arips back-payments.
I started a new job as a porter for Jaguar car Dealership thru an independent contractor company, whose name was on my 2 paychecks received for the month of February 2020. They only paid 1 week & a half for the first one since it’s when I started then only for a few days for the second check since that’s when I got laid off due to the covi-19 I do have the pay stub only for the payment. Would that be enough & how do I go about applying for the PUA? Also, since it was only a few hours for the time frame I worked will that be okay proof of income? I was made aware that I’m suppose to get at least half of the limit amount weekly pay in Texas? Please confirm & explain further. Thanks a lot
Thank you for your comment, Mark. I understand your question but I’m afraid I don’t work for TWC, and can’t give you a definitive answer. My advice would be to apply and send the proof of income you have. You should apply for the minimum benefits. Keep me updated.
When I sent the email, I put “Unemployment Benefits – Proof of Earnings” as the title. This was before the article was updated. Will I be ok?
Thank you, Mike, for your comment. Yes, I believe you should be okay. When did you send it?
Thank you for your support. I surely tips you once I got paid. I followed exactly from this site and got approved. I have a Question. Can you please clarify me ?
– I filed Unemployment benefit on April 19 with your direction and approved $379 per week.
– But when I request for pay on May 4, they paid me nothing like $0 for first 2 weeks (April 19 – 25 & April 26 – May 2)
– Do I get $600 federal plus $379 from May 11 ?
– Do I get $600 federal of first 2 weeks (April 19 – 25 & April 26 – May 2) in my next Pay ?
– or Do I get $600 federal from April 5 to now ( since the law passed )
Can you please clarify me
Thank you for your comment, Usuf! I received your message to our Facebook page. Please continue this discussion in messenger. Thank you!
Hello, Everybody! Could anyone let me know what reason do we put for not working? Layoff? Disaster?
Thank you for your comment. Choose laid off.
Really? Not disaster? A national pandemic is not a disaster?
That’s what I put.
The TWC is using the classification DUA temporarily until they update their system with the classification of PUA. Also, their online application isn’t updated for PUA applicants, so in the meantime, they are asking us to apply or wait until their system is updated.
If you decide to apply now, choose COVID-19, Laidoff, put Uber as the most recent employer, Dara Khosrowshahi as Supervisor, then send them your proof of income.
First of all thank you for providing this helpful information. I have yet to file my 2019 taxes. Do you have to submit all of the information listed. For example, if I have a 1099-K from Uber do I also need to provide the yearly summary? Also, I imagine we need to include all of our 2020 earning so far? Lastly, attaching the documents as PDFs is fine?
Thank you for your comment, Joe. If you send the 1099-K you don’t have to send the summary. Yes, PDF is fine.
What is a a 1044 tax return document, I’m assuming the 1040 would work. Also should we obscure all but the last 4 digits of our SSN?
Thank you Joe for catching that typo. I fixed it. Just send the last four numbers of your social security number.
I’m assuming you got approved for Unemployment…..are you getting the 600 a week as well. Thank you so much for this valuable information!
Thank you, Edward, for your comment. Yes, I was approved and received my first back payment from March. They gave me DUA and the $600 PUA payments will kick in April’s payments. You’re welcome! I’m glad to help my fellow drivers.
That’s wonderful to hear! I was constantly calling the Tele center and was unable to get through to turn in my wages. My profile also said I didn’t make enough for a claim and because of this wonderful site I was able to turn in my wages. Again thank you! It has been almost 3 weeks since I filed. Hopefully I get approved, it has been very stressful.
I’m very pleased to hear how much it has helped, Edward. Keep me updated on your results. 😊
I last worked a full week the first week of March, mostly on Uber and Lyft. But I have worked a 5-10 hours a week since then mostly on AmazonFlex. The last day was on April 10th. Do I put April 10th as the “Last Date You Worked” or do I put in the date that I stopped working full time?
Thank you for your comment, Timothy. I can’t give specific application advice. Be honest and transparent, fraud isn’t anything any of us want to deal with after this is all over.
There were a lot of questions I wished this addressed.
On the application there were really weird confusing questions, as a GIG worker
some examples included,:
-Are you essential?
-WHEN DID THE DISASTER START??
-If you are essential why did you quit?
-When did you job shut down?
-When will your employer open back up?
-Who is your supervisor and their title?
-Explain the disaster.
-Did you leave the disaster area and why?
-Is there a mandatory self-isolating order in your area?
-Do I really need to register to work?
Sorry Dev, I can’t give specific application advice. I understand it’s confusing for us because they don’t have an updated application for gig workers/independent contractors. TWC is using DUA status to get us paid quickly. No, TWC waived the work search requirements.
I submitted for TWC benefits for my full time job and was classified as part of the presidential disaster. I was also doing uber/lyft to supplement my income for the past 2 1/2 years, can I still submit for benefits?
Are you asking if you should apply for unemployment twice?
I have applied for disaster unemployment assistance but they denied benefits, then I found this helpful site, I sent already my schedule C and SE, I don’t have an F. Then I see it’s necessary to print the third page of the downloaded PDF form the TWC site. My question is: do you think I’m ok or I have to apply again, apeal, or simply print, fill and send my documents again?
Thank you a lot
Thank you for your comment, Federico. I’m glad this post has helped you. As long as you emailed them your proof of income you should be fine. I tried faxing it to make sure and the fax didn’t even go through. I will keep digging.
Ok, so my claim and payment status is now showing $207/week and waiting on the correspondence inbox. Will the $600 show up later? I noticed you had a consultation service but it’s gone, I’ll just tip you directly once I get benefits. This is helpful to so many people and I appreciate what you’re doing.
Thank you for your comment, Mike. Yes, the DUA payments will be in back-payments for March. Aprils back payments will automatically have the $600/week included. Man, it’s pretty awesome! I’d rather be working but this at least will help keep bills paid. I did have a consultation service available but I took it down because I didn’t think anyone would use it. Sorry I didn’t leave it up. I guess I should put it back up.
Did you get your first payment yet? I just did my payment request for my third payment.
Hi, thank you for such valuable information, if anyone can help me, I sent the proof of income email and got an update on my amount, but it also says that twc is reviewing my claim to see if they can make payments. and today got an update that says processed date from TWC (today) but deposited amount 0,00 and still it states this is because they are reviewing. is it there anything else I should do on my end? thank you!
Thank you for your comment, Berardo. Did it get straightened out?
What if I have a full-time job and drive on the side? Because of family issues, I am dependent on the supplemental pay from Uber and Lyft to make my monthly bills.
Thank you for your comment, Don. Are you still working your fulltime job?
I have not filed my 2019 taxes. They are requesting a lot of proof of income docs above. Do they really need my 2018 tax return. Or is my my 2019 1099 enough? Above they are also requesting my most recent pay statements for 2020, and three 2019 pay Statements. I understand the 2020 recent pay statements but the 2019 ones seems redundant as I am already send information them my 2019 1099. What do you think I should send in. I don’t want to send them a voluminous amount of documents. Thanks.
Thank you for your comment, Jennifer. I recommend sending them everything they are asking for. They want to see your work history with the apps on top of your proof of income. Just remember by doing this, you could be receiving $3,228 a month in benefits, minus taxes. 😉
Thank you I GOT APPROVED 🙂
Thank you for your comment, Usuf. Congratulations, that’s awesome!
I would be grateful if you could visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ridesharegeek/ like it and leave a review?
Also, if you would like to leave a tip https://checkout.square.site/pay/740d895131d64f91b439293d9c9874dd
Your support is much appreciated. 😊
I got approved and I tipped you 50 bucks . I followed your instructions and it was a pretty smooth process. You did all the research and it saved me a lot of time and headaches. I appreciate you . They’re giving the additional 600 now in Texas. I made more ubering but all help is appreciated . Thanks again
Thank you for your comment, J. And thank you very much for your generous tip! I’m glad to hear my efforts are getting people results. The $600 PUA is great! I also make more driving but this will help keep our bills covered.
I would be grateful if you could visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ridesharegeek/ like it and leave a review?
Hello I have a question, as you mentioned, I received in the inbox to send “DUA proof of employment cover sheet” with the check box. Even if I do not complete this and not send this, will I still receive base $207+$600 benefit weekly? Or is this sheet required for everyone to complete to get any of the benefit? Or are some people trying to complete “DUA proof of employment coversheet” in order to get maximum amount of $521? Your help will be extremely appreciated. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment, Joe! Did you already email them your proof of income? I first emailed them my proof of income, then I received that cover letter in my inbox as well. I sent that as well just to be safe.
I sent me PUA proof of income by standard mail as well as email. Have they adjusted your income from the minimum $207 yet?? My proof of income was delivered a week ago so I’m curious to see if someone got their income adjusted from the $207 yet. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your comment, Steven! Yes, my minimum DUA was increased after sending my proof of income. They are swamped with many applications. They are reporting it’s taking up to 4 weeks.
Good to know! Now I saw the Mr. Alavarez mentioned that profits have to be at least 20,800 or above for your weekly benefit to get increased. Is that gross or net? My gross was 52,000 but my net was about 19,000. Noone has been able to answer that question. Thank you for your help.