CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Some staggering numbers from Governor Greg Abbott Wednesday on the number of unemployment claims in the state since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
Abbott says that on March 26th, the Texas Workforce Commission received more than 1.7 million calls. On average, the commission handles about 127,000 thousand calls daily.
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In the last five weeks, the commission estimates its taken more calls than all of 2019.
Several Texans were initially denied claims. However, as the situation evolves and more programs become available. The governor urges anyone who was denied to file another claim.
"Many that were denied may now qualify as the state and federal labor departments have expanded programs to help ease the fallout because of the record job losses," said Abbott.
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Gov. Abbott says the workforce commission has dramatically increased staffing, including about 250 house and senate staffers who volunteered to pitch in.
