## What Is a Work Search Exemption? Normally, every Texas unemployment claimant must complete a minimum number of work search activities each week (typically 3 for urban counties). A work search exemption waives this requirement for qualifying claimants. If you have an approved exemption, you can still receive benefits without completing weekly work search activities for the duration of the exemption. **Important:** You must have the exemption approved by TWC's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division. You cannot self-exempt. TWC will notify you in writing if you are exempt from work search requirements. ## Qualifying Exemption Types ### 1. Temporary Layoff with Definite Return-to-Work Date If your employer has temporarily laid you off with a specific date to return to work (within 12 weeks), you may qualify for a work search exemption. This is common in industries with seasonal fluctuations, planned shutdowns, or temporary production cuts. **Requirements:** - Your employer must confirm the return-to-work date with TWC - The return date must be within 12 weeks of the layoff - You must remain able and available to work - If the return date passes and you don't return, the exemption ends and you must begin work search activities immediately ### 2. Union Hiring Hall Membership If you are an active member in good standing of a labor union that operates a non-discriminatory hiring hall, you may be exempt from work search requirements. The union hiring hall effectively functions as your job placement service. **Requirements:** - Active union membership in good standing - The union operates a hiring hall - The hiring hall is non-discriminatory (open to all qualified members) - You must remain registered and available through the hiring hall ### 3. TWC-Approved Training Program If you are enrolled in and actively participating in a training program approved by TWC, you may be exempt from work search requirements for the duration of the training. This recognizes that full-time training is itself a pathway back to employment. **Requirements:** - The training program must be approved by TWC before you enroll (or you must get retroactive approval) - You must actively participate and make satisfactory progress - The training must be in a field with reasonable employment prospects - If you drop out or fail to make progress, the exemption ends ### 4. Shared Work / Short-Time Compensation Program If your employer participates in Texas's Shared Work program (where hours are reduced instead of employees being laid off), you may be exempt from work search requirements while on the shared work plan. **Requirements:** - Your employer must have an approved Shared Work plan with TWC - Your hours must be reduced as part of the plan - You must continue working your reduced schedule ### 5. Disaster-Related Exemptions In the event of a declared disaster (hurricane, flood, severe weather), TWC may temporarily waive work search requirements for affected areas. These are issued on a case-by-case basis and announced publicly. ### 6. Other TWC-Approved Exemptions TWC has discretion to grant exemptions in other circumstances, such as medical inability to work (though this may also affect your "able and available" eligibility), jury duty, or other situations where work search is not feasible. These require individual approval. ## How to Apply for an Exemption You do not "apply" for an exemption in the traditional sense. Instead: 1. **Temporary layoff:** Your employer contacts TWC to confirm the return-to-work date. TWC processes the exemption and notifies you. 2. **Union hiring hall:** Provide TWC with your union membership information and hiring hall details. 3. **Approved training:** Contact your local Workforce Solutions office or TWC to discuss training program approval before enrolling. 4. **Shared work:** Your employer enrolls in the Shared Work program. TWC handles the exemption as part of the plan. In all cases, TWC will notify you in writing whether your exemption is approved. ## Even If Exempt, Stay Organized An exemption means you don't need to complete weekly work search activities — but you still need to request payment every two weeks, remain able and available for work, and comply with all other eligibility requirements. WorkProof TX tracks your exemption status alongside your compliance. When you mark yourself as exempt for a week, the app adjusts your compliance dashboard accordingly — no false "incomplete" warnings. If your exemption ends, the app automatically resumes tracking your required activities. Start free at workprooftx.com.