I'm currently in a similar situation - started classes while on unemployment about 3 months ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the beginning: 1. Report it immediately when you start school - don't wait. The delay only makes things more complicated. 2. When you get the student questionnaire, be brutally honest about your availability. I wrote out exactly which days/times I could work and even included that I was willing to adjust my class schedule if needed for the right job opportunity. 3. Keep applying for jobs during your available hours. I know it seems pointless when you're focused on school, but it shows TWC you're genuinely available for work. 4. The Training Benefits program is absolutely worth applying for, but don't count on it being approved quickly. Mine took almost a month to process, so keep doing regular payment requests in the meantime. 5. If you get any kind of review or hold on your benefits, call immediately. Don't wait for them to figure it out - the squeaky wheel gets the grease with TWC. Your nursing program should definitely qualify for Training Benefits since healthcare is such a high-demand field in Texas. Just make sure all your paperwork is complete when you submit it. Good luck!

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I started my LVN program! Here's what worked for me: First, definitely apply for the Training Benefits program ASAP - nursing programs almost always qualify since healthcare is a critical need occupation in Texas. The application takes a few weeks to process, but it's so worth it because you won't have to do work searches while in school. While waiting for Training Benefits approval, make sure to report starting school on your payment request and complete the student questionnaire honestly. I was upfront that I was available for work Tuesday/Thursday all day, Monday/Wednesday/Friday after 2pm, and weekends. Never had any issues. Pro tip: If you do have to job search while waiting, focus on healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics. Many are happy to work with nursing students and the experience looks great on your resume. I actually got hired as a patient care tech at a local hospital and they were super flexible with my class schedule. The whole process was way less scary than I expected. TWC seems to understand that healthcare education benefits everyone. Just be honest, report everything promptly, and definitely pursue that Training Benefits approval. You've got this!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - my temp agency (Staffmark) told me last week that my assignment ended and they'd "keep me in mind for future opportunities." Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm definitely going to file this week based on everyone's advice. One question though - for those who successfully got benefits, how long did it typically take from filing to receiving your first payment? I know @Emma Garcia mentioned 3 weeks to process, but I'm wondering about the timeline from approval to actually getting paid. I'm trying to budget accordingly since my last paycheck was already pretty small due to reduced hours in my final week. Also, has anyone dealt with Staffmark specifically? I'm curious if they're one of the agencies that typically contests claims or if they're more reasonable about it.

I'm currently going through this exact situation with a different temp agency! Reading everyone's experiences has been so reassuring - I was really worried I wouldn't qualify for benefits. One thing I wanted to add that I learned the hard way: make sure you keep detailed records of not just when they told you "no work available," but also any previous assignments you completed through them. TWC asked me for a complete work history with the agency during my phone interview, including dates, locations, and why each assignment ended. Having that information ready made the process much smoother. Also, @Isabella Brown, don't stress too much about the agency potentially offering you a "bad" assignment after you file. From what I've learned, TWC considers whether the work is "suitable" based on your recent work history with the agency. So if you were making $15/hour at a warehouse 10 minutes from home, they can't force you to take a $10/hour job an hour away just to deny your claim. The most important thing is to file sooner rather than later. Every day you wait is potentially money you're losing, and it gets harder to document the exact timeline of when work became unavailable. Good luck with your claim!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! My unemployment claim was approved 3 weeks ago but I still haven't received any payments - just that maddening "pending" status with absolutely no explanation. I've been calling the main TWC number religiously but can never get through to a real person. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening though. I had no idea about that employer response unit number at (512) 463-2222 that @ed15ee67065b mentioned - that sounds like exactly what I need to try! The fact that there can be "invisible" flags or employer responses that don't show up in our online portals but completely block payments is so messed up. I'm definitely going to call that number tomorrow morning at 7am sharp and ask specifically about any hidden issues, pending employer responses, or system flags on my account. It's ridiculous that we have to become unemployment claim detectives just to access benefits we were already approved for, but at least this community is sharing actual solutions that work. Thanks to everyone for the real advice and phone numbers - you're all lifesavers when the official system seems designed to keep us in the dark! Will update if I make any progress.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I went through almost the identical situation last year - claim approved but payments stuck in "pending" hell for over a month. What finally worked for me was a combination of the strategies people have mentioned here. First, I called that employer response unit number (512) 463-2222 at exactly 7:02am on a Wednesday (thanks to whoever shared that gem!). They found a "system flag" that had been triggered by my employer submitting some late paperwork that contradicted my original claim info. The crazy part is this flag was completely invisible in my online portal but was blocking all payments. Second tip: when you do get through to someone, ask them to read your "case notes" out loud to you. Sometimes there are cryptic codes or comments in there that explain the delay but aren't shown anywhere else. In my case, there was a note about needing "manual wage verification" that required a supervisor to review. The whole ordeal took about 5 weeks total, but once they cleared the flag, I got all my back payments within 48 hours. Keep submitting your payment requests on time even while this is happening - don't let them use missed requests as another excuse to delay you. Hang in there - I know how terrifying it is when rent is due and you're counting on money that should already be there!

I've been there and know how scary it feels when benefits run out. One thing that really saved me was reaching out to local food banks early - they often have connections to other resources beyond just food. The North Texas Food Bank network, for example, has case workers who can help connect you to rental assistance and utility programs you might not find online. Also, if you're struggling with the application processes for some of these programs (SNAP, TANF, etc.), many libraries offer free assistance with filling out government forms. The librarians often know about local resources too. Don't be afraid to ask - they've helped tons of people in similar situations. Hang in there. It's a tough spot but there are people and programs out there to help bridge the gap until you find work.

I'm sorry you're going through this - the stress of benefits running out is just overwhelming. One thing that helped me was contacting United Way by dialing 211. They have a database of local resources and can often connect you with emergency assistance programs that aren't well-publicized online. Also, don't overlook faith-based organizations even if you're not religious - many churches, mosques, and synagogues have benevolence funds specifically for situations like yours. The Salvation Army also has emergency assistance programs for rent and utilities. Another option is to check if your city has a human services department separate from the county programs. Sometimes cities have their own emergency assistance funds with different eligibility requirements. Austin, Houston, and San Antonio all have city-specific programs that can complement the county resources. Keep applying for jobs but don't forget to take care of your mental health during this time too. This situation is temporary even though it feels endless right now.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really amazed by how this thread evolved from Sofia's initial panic about benefit exhaustion to finding a concrete solution through the Skills Development program. Reading through all the responses has been like getting a comprehensive guide to Texas unemployment benefits that you just can't find anywhere else. The distinction between benefit years and benefit amounts that was explained here completely changed my understanding of how the system works. And the practical advice - like using Claimyr to actually reach TWC and continuing to file even with a $0 balance - seems invaluable for anyone navigating this process. Sofia, your persistence really paid off, and it's inspiring to see how community knowledge helped you find a path forward when things seemed hopeless. This thread is a perfect example of why communities like this matter so much during difficult times. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!

As someone who's brand new to this community, I'm absolutely amazed by how this thread has become such a comprehensive resource on Texas unemployment benefits! Sofia, huge congratulations on getting approved for the Skills Development program - what an incredible relief that must be after all the stress you were going through. Reading through everyone's contributions has been like taking a masterclass in navigating the TWC system. I had no idea about so many of these details - the distinction between benefit years and benefit amounts, the importance of continuing to file payment requests even with zero balance, or that training programs could potentially extend benefits. The Claimyr recommendation seems like a game-changer for actually reaching a human at TWC given all the horror stories about busy phone lines. What really stands out to me is how willing everyone has been to share their real experiences and practical knowledge to help a fellow community member. This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable - when people are facing stressful situations, having access to others who've been there and know the system inside and out can literally be life-changing. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their expertise - this thread should be bookmarked as essential reading for anyone dealing with benefit exhaustion in Texas!