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Can someone from Texas explain the new Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) program to me?

August 25, 2020 09:00PM
I live in Texas. Back in March, I was advised by the Texas Workforce Commission that I was eligible for $207 per week in unemployment benefits. Since I am self-employed, I worked and reported at least some income for most weeks. The state would deduct my earnings from the $207 amount and pay me the difference. For my most recent two week period, after deductions, I received $88 and $93, respectively. In order to receive the extra $300 FEMA money, do my weekly net unemployment benefits need to be $100 or greater? Or is the state portion of $100 based on what the state initially said was my maximum $207 amount? In other words, did I receive too little in benefits for those two weeks to qualify for the extra $300?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2020 09:06PM by Dandydew.
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August 25, 2020 11:13PM
Dandydew, I'm not sure whether you would qualify for the extra $300 in Lost Wage Assistance or not. However, Governor Abbott only applied for the funds from the federal government last Thursday (https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/08/20/texas-to-apply-for-extra-300-weekly-sum-in-unemployment-benefits-from-controversial-trump-program/). I don't think there has been enough time for the state to start paying out these funds just yet. And based on everything I read on the TWC Lost Wage Assistance website (https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/lost-wage-assistance), the additional payments will be automatically given to you "on your first payment request after LWA becomes available" and if you "certify that you are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or available to work due to disruptions caused by COVID-19."

I hope that helps.
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August 26, 2020 05:46AM
Yes, you received too little benefits for those two weeks to qualify for the extra $300. Your net state benefits must be at least $100 in any given week. I received mine yesterday, except for one week where my net state payment was under $100. The payments are retroactive from the week starting July 26, so maybe you will get some from previous weeks. And in Texas, they actually don't count your first $50 in earnings, so they calculate your payment by deducting your earnings from $257 in your case. And you can deduct your expenses when reporting your earnings.
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