The Texas Workforce Commission recently took action to provide guidance on eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits due to refusal to suitable work.

Evaluations of each UI benefits case is currently on an individual basis. However, because of COVID-19, the following are reasons benefits would continue if an individual refuses work.

Reason for refusal:

• People 65 years or older and/or people with medical issues. These include heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system. This also includes a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID‑19. (Source: DSHS website)
• Household member at high risk. People 65 years or older or are at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (source DSHS website).
• Diagnosed with COVID. The individual has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas and is not recovered.
• Family member with COVID. Anybody in the household has tested positive for COVID-19 by a source authorized by the State of Texas, is not recovered and 14 days have not yet passed.
• Quarantined. This applies to individual is currently in 14-day quarantine due to close contact exposure to COVID-19.
• Child care. No reasonable alternatives are available in the event of a closure of a child’s school or daycare.

Any other situation will be subject to a case by case review by the TWC.