Workforce Resources in Response to COVID-19

We encourage you to start thinking about the skills you would like to enhance for your next career move.

Click here to learn more about our skills training programs to prepare you for a high-demand career.

If you are unsure what skills you need, the Texas Workforce Commission offers several resources to help:

• Texas Career Check is a no-cost interest profiler that allows users to answer a series of 60 questions (takes approximately 10 minutes to complete) which will help you to link your career and task interests to occupation titles.
• Texas Genuine is a free career assessment that includes 6 questions. This assessment will inform you of the top 3 career clusters that best match their work interests.
• Texas Skills to Work is a tool that allows you to copy and paste (or upload) your resume, or simply list your skills and knowledge into the tool to gain information on occupations that align with those skills to assist you with improving your resume.

If you are interested in finding out labor market information specific to your region, the following tools may be helpful:

• Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Labor Market Information page features local and regional labor market data to provide real-time, in-depth knowledge for your career search.
• Texas Career Check’s Occupation Trends features the top 25 “Hot Jobs” in your area.
• Texas LMI is a tool will help you find labor market projection data for your area.

Visit our JOBS NOW! page for a list of immediate openings!

Many job openings are available in Austin/Travis County. Search for jobs on WorkInTexas.com, the state’s job search website. Create an account to get started. Watch our online tutorials for help registering for an account.

We are maintaining this Jobs Now list as part of our response to economic changes related to COVID-19 and are here to help re-connect you to work. If you need assistance, call us at 512.454.9675.

If you live in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano or Williamson County, go to the Jobs Now page at Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) holds responsibility for the state unemployment compensation program. However, Workforce Solutions Capital Area works closely with TWC and can act as your local navigator to resources.

• You can learn more about how to complete, submit, and confirm an Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) application online at the TWC website (pdf).
• Your first step in filing for Unemployment Benefits is to create a UBS login. To learn more about how to create a user ID and password, click here (pdf).
• Once you have applied for Unemployment Benefits, please review the Texas Workforce Commissions Unemployment Handbook for needed information.
• Wondering how to change your payment information or file an appeal? Find the answers to these questions and more at the TWC website.

Work search requirements for Unemployment Insurance have been reinstated by TWC. Presently, the requirement for claimants residing in Travis County is three work searches per week.

Find answers from TWC to common questions about unemployment benefits on our FAQ page.

If you have a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment or disability that makes employment hard for you, you may be eligible for services to help you prepare for, obtain, maintain or advance in employment. Texas Workforce Solutions -Vocational Rehabilitation Services assists individuals with any disability in partnership with Workforce Solutions Capital Area.

If you are an employer seeking to hire qualified candidates with disabilities, we also encourage you to ask for a Vocational Rehabilitation Business Relations Coordinator in your area to help with candidate referrals, accommodation, or technical assistance related to hiring individuals with disabilities.

For Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation Services:

• Anyone needing employment assistance, including those with disabilities, can be directed to their nearest Workforce Solutions office, whose employment specialists will coordinate referrals or services with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff.
• If a customer prefers to reach out to VR directly for assistance, they may use a directory to find the office closest to them. An email address is also available for customers who would like assistance connecting to the right office: vr.office.locator@twc.state.tx.us
• VR serves individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf or hearing impaired, who need VR services to obtain or retain employment.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, VR staff are available remotely to assist customers. Here is a one page message to our customers on this: A Message to Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Customers

• We’re creating a video webinar series exploring topics like job searching, stress management, working from home, and more! To watch the videos, go to COVID-19 Resources for Youth.
• TWC has information on making smart financial choices after a job loss (pdf).
• For workers who are a recent resident of Texas, or earned income in more than one state during their base period, TWC has information about benefits options.
• 2-1-1 Texas can assist people to access basic needs. Call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 website to learn more.
• For resources in the Greater Austin Community, go to the ConnectATX website.
• NAMI Central Texas has compiled a list of resources for local mental health centers, crisis planning, housing support, and more on their website.

Information on COVID-19 testing:

• Get COVID-19 Testing (pdf)
• Obtenga ayuda con elcovid-19 ahora (pdf)

For residents seeking information about health insurance options:

• Download COBRA vs. Marketplace: Helping Americans Make the Right Health Insurance Choice (pdf)
• Download the Marketplace vs. COBRA frequently asked questions document (pdf)

For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 in Austin/Travis County, please refer to these official sources:

• City of Austin COVID-19 Updates
• Austin Center for Events COVID-19 Updates
• Travis County COVID-19 Updates
• Texas Workforce Commission COVID-19 Resources
• Economic Impact Payments: what you need to know (pdf) and how to file (pdf)

Good news! Workforce Solutions Capital Area currently has funding available for Essential Workers to provide scholarships for child care services. This funding is available for families that live in the City of Austin Full Purpose district. Check this map to see if your current address is in the Full Purpose district and potentially be eligible for this funding.

We are excited to serve Essential Workers in the following categories:

• Childcare Industry (teachers, caregivers, etc.)
• Education (teachers, support staff, bus drivers, etc.)
• Pharmacy and Healthcare Workers First Responders
• Critical Infrastructure (Grocery, Utilities, Trucking, etc.)
• Other Infrastructure Workers (State and Local Government, Mail/Deliver Services, Banking, Gas Stations, Military, Restaurant and other Food Delivery, etc.)

Maximum Gross (Pre-Tax) Income to participate:

Click here to complete the Interest Form for Essential Worker Childcare! 

Once you complete the interest form, our Childcare Services team will be reaching out when we are able to proceed with collecting the enrollment form and other necessary documentation (pay check stubs, proof of residency, etc.). If you have any questions, please call our office at 512.597.7191.

Good news! Workforce Solutions Capital Area currently has funding available for Essential Workers in the service industry to provide scholarships for child care services. You could qualify for 12 months of child care eligibility!

We are excited to serve Essential Workers in the following categories:

• Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (such as actors, amusement and recreation attendants, fitness trainers, musicians and singers, etc.)
• Accommodation and Food Service (such as hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, waiters and waitresses, food preparation, chefs, etc.)
• Retail Trade (such as cashiers, customer service representative, retail sales workers, stock clerks, etc.)

Maximum Gross (Pre-Tax) Income to participate:

Click here to complete the application for Service Industry Recovery childcare.