Benefits exhaustion after 7 months - what happens when TWC regular UI runs out?

Unfortunately Texas doesn't currently have any automatic extensions after regular UI benefits are exhausted. When the balance hits zero, that's it until your next benefit year (unless there's some new federal program, but nothing exists right now in 2025). You should get a determination letter about 2-3 weeks before exhaustion explaining your options. Have you tried looking into WorkInTexas.com training programs? Sometimes TWC will approve training benefits if you qualify for certain programs.

same thing happnd to me last yr... no extensions anymore! u should apply for snap benefits before ur UI runs out so theres no gap. the waiting list for food stamps is like 3 weeks now

I went through this last November. Here's what you need to understand about the Texas unemployment system: 1. Regular UI benefits can last up to 26 weeks maximum (about 6.5 months) 2. Once you exhaust your regular benefits, there are currently NO extension programs available in Texas 3. You SHOULD continue filing your payment requests even after exhaustion - this is important for statistical purposes and shows continued need 4. Your benefit year lasts for 12 months from your initial application, but the benefit amount can run out before that 5. After your benefit year ends, you would need to qualify for a new benefit year with enough qualifying wages in your base period I strongly recommend calling TWC directly to discuss your specific situation and options. They can check if you might qualify for any special programs based on your industry or circumstances. Unfortunately, the phone lines are almost always jammed.

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to TWC? I was in the same position last month trying to figure out what happens after my benefits ran out. Kept getting busy signals for days. Someone on here recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com) and I actually got through to a real person in about 15 minutes who explained all my options. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh FYI - there are some retraining programs through TWC that might extend benefits in certain cases, but you need to apply BEFORE your regular benefits run out. The agent I talked to helped me apply for one.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FAIL US!!! I went through this exact thing in January and let me tell you, TWC doesn't care one bit. They will send you a letter saying "sorry your benefits are exhausted" and that's it. No help, no extensions, NOTHING. When I called (after trying for WEEKS), the agent just told me to apply for food stamps. THAT'S THEIR SOLUTION! Meanwhile my rent went up $200 this year and these companies want 5 years experience for entry level jobs paying $15/hr. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!

To follow up on my earlier comment, there's an important distinction I should clarify about benefit years vs. benefit amounts: - Your benefit AMOUNT (total $) typically lasts around 26 weeks if you receive full weekly payments - Your benefit YEAR is a 12-month period that started when you initially applied So while your current benefits are exhausting after 7 months, you technically won't be eligible to apply for a new claim until your benefit year ends (which would be approximately 5 months from now). The exception would be if you worked during your current benefit year and earned enough qualifying wages. In that case, you might be eligible to start a new benefit year earlier. This is a specific situation worth discussing with a TWC representative.

forgot to mention... check out the workforce centers in person!! they have special programs sometimes that the website doesnt show. my cousin got into some free training program for CDL and now he makes way more $$ than before

After I used Claimyr to reach TWC, the agent told me something important - even after your benefits exhaust, you should still request payment every two weeks. It keeps your claim active in the system, and if any new programs become available, you'd be automatically considered. Plus it counts toward unemployment statistics which can trigger additional funding.

UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC this morning! Used that Claimyr service and it actually worked. The agent confirmed what most of you said - once my regular benefits run out, there aren't currently any extensions. BUT she did help me apply for their Skills Development training program since I qualify based on my manufacturing background. If approved, I could get benefits extended while I complete a 12-week certification program. Will update again when I hear back about approval. Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!

That's awesome news about getting approved for the Skills Development program! As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I can't stress enough how important it is to take advantage of these training opportunities while you can. The manufacturing sector has been evolving rapidly with automation and new technologies, so having updated certifications can really make you stand out to employers. Also, don't forget to keep networking during your training - sometimes the best job leads come from your fellow trainees or instructors who have industry connections. Wishing you the best of luck with the program!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's relatively new to this community but has been following unemployment discussions closely. Sofia, I'm really glad to see your update about getting approved for the Skills Development program - that's fantastic news! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, I think the key takeaways here are: 1) Don't wait until the last minute to explore your options, 2) Use services like Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through to TWC, and 3) Look into training programs BEFORE your benefits run out. The manufacturing industry really is changing rapidly, and having updated certifications can open doors that weren't there before. Thanks to everyone who contributed helpful information to this thread - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes a difference when people are going through tough times.

As someone who's new to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! Sofia, congratulations on getting into the Skills Development program - that's such a relief after all the stress you were going through. Reading through everyone's responses really shows the value of having experienced community members who understand the ins and outs of the TWC system. I had no idea about things like continuing to file payment requests even with a $0 balance, or that there were training programs that could extend benefits. The tip about using Claimyr to actually get through to TWC seems like a game-changer too. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world information that you can't easily find elsewhere. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - it's clear this community really looks out for each other during difficult times!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how this thread turned into such a comprehensive resource! Sofia, your persistence in getting through to TWC and finding the Skills Development program is inspiring - it shows that there really can be solutions even when things look hopeless at first. I'm taking notes on all the advice shared here, especially about continuing to file payment requests even after exhaustion and exploring training programs before benefits run out. The collective knowledge in this community is incredible - from the technical explanations about benefit years vs. amounts to practical tips like using Claimyr to actually reach a human at TWC. This is exactly the kind of support system that makes all the difference when navigating these challenging situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Sofia, I'm so glad to see your update about getting approved for the Skills Development program - what a relief that must be after all that stress about your benefits running out. Reading through everyone's experiences here has taught me so much about how the Texas unemployment system actually works. I had no idea about things like continuing to file payment requests even with a $0 balance, or that training programs could potentially extend benefits. The Claimyr service recommendation seems like a real lifesaver too - I can't imagine trying to get through to TWC without some kind of help given what everyone's said about busy phone lines. This community really shows the power of people sharing their knowledge and supporting each other through difficult times. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and advice - this thread will definitely be a valuable resource for anyone facing similar situations!

As someone who's completely new to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful and informative this entire thread has been! Sofia, congratulations on getting approved for the Skills Development program - what an amazing turn of events after such a stressful situation. Reading through everyone's responses has been like getting a crash course in how the Texas unemployment system actually works. I had no idea about so many of these details - like the distinction between benefit years and benefit amounts, the importance of continuing to file payment requests even with a $0 balance, or that training programs could potentially extend benefits. The recommendation about Claimyr seems like it could be a real game-changer for actually reaching TWC representatives. This community really demonstrates how powerful it can be when people share their knowledge and experiences to help others navigate complex systems during difficult times. Thank you to everyone who contributed their insights - this thread will definitely serve as an invaluable resource for anyone else facing similar challenges with benefit exhaustion in Texas!