Unemployment claims climb to 719,000; COVID-19 pandemic still forces layoffs

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose by 61,000 last week to 719,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more businesses reopen, vaccines are increasingly administered and federal aid spreads through the economy.

Tarrant County re-opens rental assistance funding application process

The latest version of the program provides cash payments on behalf of tenants at least one month behind for not only rent, but also utilities.

Biden signs extension of Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses by 2 months

President Joe Biden singed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program a day before it was poised to expire, giving small businesses until May 31 to apply.

Masks, hand sanitizers, PPE are tax-deductible, IRS says

The Internal Revenue Service announced on Friday that personal protective equipment purchased to stop the spread of COVID-19 are considered tax-deductible.

Fort Worth repair shop targeted in unemployment benefits fraud, owner says

The fraud with Texas unemployment benefits has affected hundreds of thousands of innocent victims in recent months. It is also taking a toll on businesses.

Unemployment claims fall to 684,000, fewest since start of pandemic

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign the economy is improving.

Dallas businesses getting back to normal one year after start of COVID-19 pandemic

The Dallas Regional Chamber said that at the end of last year, 23% of small businesses in Dallas were forced to close, while 26% of businesses closed in Fort Worth.

Could there be a 4th stimulus check? Democratic lawmakers push for more direct payments

10 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to include additional stimulus payments in an upcoming $3 trillion infrastructure package.

Stimulus checks: IRS says next batch of payments will be disbursed in coming days

Officials from the IRS and U.S. Treasury said Monday the next batch of COVID-19 stimulus payments will start hitting bank accounts later this week. Mailed checks will start going out as well.

IRS agrees to protect some stimulus checks from debt reductions

The IRS has agreed to not seize some Americans' stimulus check to offset outstanding federal tax debts, according to an agency watchdog.

Pending stimulus check? Here's when your money could be released

Many Americans already see the money in their bank account but they are not able to access it because it is 'pending.'

$1,400 stimulus checks can be seized by private collectors for unpaid debts

Debt collectors will be able to garnish the third round of cash payments that are expected to be delivered to Americans by the end of the month as part of Democrats' $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.