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Mass Claims Process

What is the Mass Layoff Program?

The program streamlines the unemployment insurance claims process for employers faced with layoffs (permanent or temporary) of ten or more employees at one time. Employers can submit basic worker information using a spreadsheet or other electronic means on behalf of their employees to initiate a claim for unemployment benefits.

How Does the Process Work?

Employers send the Social Security Numbers, names, addresses, and certain demographic data for each laid off worker to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). TWC creates an inactive claim for unemployment benefits and mails information and instructions to each potential claimant. Claimants activate their claim by requesting payment using the Internet Payment Request system (paymentrequest.texasworkforce.org) or by calling Tele-Serv (TWC's interactive voice response system). If a potential claimant does not request payment, TWC does not activate the claim and the claimant does not receive unemployment benefit payments.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Employers are not inundated with a written notice of application for each individual filing a claim.
  • Employers automatically become a party of interest to each claim filed.
  • Employers can submit the worker's final week's earnings, helping to ensure proper payment.
  • Employers can submit the layoff information prior to the layoff.
  • Employers can submit Wages in Lieu of Advance Notice of Layoff information, reducing subsequent contact by TWC.
  • Workers establish claims more efficiently and easily than filing on their own.

Submitting Mass Layoff Information

Communicating with your employees that your company will be submitting information to TWC to set up an inactive claim on their behalf is extremely important. We can provide an employee information sheet for your company to give your workers prior to the layoff. If they are not aware you are assisting them in this manner, they may file a claim on their own.

If you are interested in filing unemployment claims for your employees using the mass claims process, complete the Mass Claims Excel Spreadsheet and Instructions and Mass Claims Agreement Letter and email them to ui.massclaims@twc.state.tx.us.

TWC should receive the data at least five working days prior to the layoff. TWC will confirm receipt of your information. If you do not receive a confirmation or if you have questions, call the Mass Claims Coordinator at (512) 463-2999.

Helpful Mass Layoff Links:

  • Mass Claims Agreement Letter
    Word  or  PDF
  • Mass Claims Excel Spreadsheet and Instructions
    Excel  or  PDF

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If your employee has an overpayment balance, TWC will apply current payments to the balance until the full amount is recovered.

Unemployment Insurance Information provides you and your employees detailed information on the Unemployment Insurance program and Work Search Log. When your employees file a claim for unemployment benefits, they will receive by mail a booklet entitled, Unemployment Insurance Information & Work Search Log. Please encourage your employees to read the entire booklet so they will be aware of their rights and responsibilities when filing for unemployment insurance.

Unemployment Claim and Appeals Information


Last Revision: July 10, 2008