TWC Warns of Web Sites Misleading the Public
- By Staff Writer
- Published 08/31/2009
- Economics
- Unrated
AUSTIN- Tom Pauken, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), issued the following statement about misleading “unemployment claims” Web sites: Unemployed Texans are being misled by online Web sites that encourage people to fill out their forms for a fee in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. These paid advertisements on such sites as Google confuse claimants into thinking that, by filling out their forms, that is equivalent to filing for unemployment.
For example, one paid advertiser on Google is www.TheUnemploymentAdvisor.com. Its ad reads: “Filing for Unemployment? Easy to use Online Submission Form – Fast Response.” Understandably, unemployed Texans not familiar with the filing process in Texas could easily believe that they could go to that site and fill out the requisite forms in order to apply for Texas unemployment benefits.
In fact, some Texas claimants mistakenly have done so, only to find out that the site in question has nothing to do with the official process at the TWC for filing unemployment benefit claims. If you read the fine print of sites like TheUnemploymentAdvisor.com, you find out that this site has absolutely no connection with any official governmental entity.
Sites like www.TheUnemploymentAdvisor.com may be legal, but they mislead Texas workers who may have lost their jobs and are trying to file their unemployment claims. Texas workers–don’t be fooled by these misleading “unemployment claim” sites. Instead, this is what Texans who are filing for unemployment insurance need to do: Those who have lost their jobs should first “register as a job seeker” on TWC’s WorkinTexas.org. where a log-in name and password will be created.
After registering, job seekers can then file an unemployment insurance claim on www. texasworkforce.org Web site by clicking the “Apply for Benefits” link, and using the same User ID name and password from WorkinTexas.com. If access to a computer is limited, claimants may also call the appropriate TWC Tele-center below. After filing a claim TWC will mail a benefit statement within 3 to 4 weeks detailing the claimant’s reported wages, eligibility, and the determined benefit amount to be granted.
Call Monday–Friday, 7a.m.–7p.m. for all unemployment insurance services. Saturdays and Sundays from 9a.m.–1 p.m. Central to take new claims, reset PINs, and address changes only. Austin local: (512)340-4300; Dallas local: (972)339-6200; El Paso local: (915)832-6400; Fort Worth local: (817) 420-1600; Houston local: (281) 983-1100; McAllen local: (956) 984-4700; San Antonio local: (210)258-6600. Others call toll free: 1-800-939-6631.
For example, one paid advertiser on Google is www.TheUnemploymentAdvisor.com. Its ad reads: “Filing for Unemployment? Easy to use Online Submission Form – Fast Response.” Understandably, unemployed Texans not familiar with the filing process in Texas could easily believe that they could go to that site and fill out the requisite forms in order to apply for Texas unemployment benefits.
In fact, some Texas claimants mistakenly have done so, only to find out that the site in question has nothing to do with the official process at the TWC for filing unemployment benefit claims. If you read the fine print of sites like TheUnemploymentAdvisor.com, you find out that this site has absolutely no connection with any official governmental entity.
Sites like www.TheUnemploymentAdvisor.com may be legal, but they mislead Texas workers who may have lost their jobs and are trying to file their unemployment claims. Texas workers–don’t be fooled by these misleading “unemployment claim” sites. Instead, this is what Texans who are filing for unemployment insurance need to do: Those who have lost their jobs should first “register as a job seeker” on TWC’s WorkinTexas.org. where a log-in name and password will be created.
After registering, job seekers can then file an unemployment insurance claim on www. texasworkforce.org Web site by clicking the “Apply for Benefits” link, and using the same User ID name and password from WorkinTexas.com. If access to a computer is limited, claimants may also call the appropriate TWC Tele-center below. After filing a claim TWC will mail a benefit statement within 3 to 4 weeks detailing the claimant’s reported wages, eligibility, and the determined benefit amount to be granted.
Call Monday–Friday, 7a.m.–7p.m. for all unemployment insurance services. Saturdays and Sundays from 9a.m.–1 p.m. Central to take new claims, reset PINs, and address changes only. Austin local: (512)340-4300; Dallas local: (972)339-6200; El Paso local: (915)832-6400; Fort Worth local: (817) 420-1600; Houston local: (281) 983-1100; McAllen local: (956) 984-4700; San Antonio local: (210)258-6600. Others call toll free: 1-800-939-6631.