Can I get a TWC benefit extension after exhausting regular unemployment in 2025?
I've been on unemployment since January and just got the notification that I only have 2 more payment requests before my benefits run out completely. My industry (hospitality management) is still struggling in my area and I haven't found work yet despite doing all my work searches faithfully. Does TWC offer any kind of extension once you've used up all your regular benefits? I've heard people mention something about "extended benefits" but I can't find clear info on the TWC website about whether that's still available in 2025 or how to apply for it. I'm getting really anxious as my last payment is coming up in 2 weeks and I have no job prospects yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
20 comments
Harper Hill
nope ur done when ur done. texas doesnt do extensions anymore since covid ended. they used to have it but not now sorry
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Lucas Adams
•Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. Are you 100% sure about this? The TWC website isn't very clear.
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Caden Nguyen
The WHOLE SYSTEM is designed to kick you off as fast as possible!!!! I exhausted my benefits last month and TWC doesn't care AT ALL if you still can't find work. They told me to apply for SNAP instead. SNAP!!!! Like that's gonna cover my mortgage. The extended benefits program ended years ago and they NEVER brought it back. It's all about corporate profits now, not helping actual TEXANS who need assistance!!!
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Lucas Adams
•That's so discouraging. Did you end up finding work after your benefits ended? I'm really worried about what comes next.
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Caden Nguyen
•I pieced together some gig work and my sister helped me with rent last month. Still looking for something permanent. The system is BROKEN!!!
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Avery Flores
Unfortunately, Texas doesn't currently offer additional benefit extensions beyond the standard 26 weeks of regular unemployment insurance. Extended Benefits (EB) and other extension programs were available during the pandemic and some previous recessions, but they aren't active in Texas right now. Here are some options to consider: 1. Double-check your total benefit amount on your TWC account - sometimes people miscalculate their remaining benefits 2. Look into Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job loss was related to foreign trade 3. Consider applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance if you're in a federally declared disaster area 4. Reach out to your local Workforce Solutions office for job placement assistance and training opportunities 5. Apply for SNAP benefits and other assistance programs to help with basic needs while job searching Also, I'd recommend calling TWC directly to confirm you've understood your benefits exhaustion correctly. Sometimes there are nuances to individual cases.
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Lucas Adams
•Thank you for such a detailed response. I really appreciate it. My job loss wasn't trade-related and there's no disaster declaration, so those options won't work for me. I'll definitely double-check my benefit amount though - maybe I misunderstood something. And I'll look into Workforce Solutions too.
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Zoe Gonzalez
i was in the same situation last year and what saved me was getting into a training program through workforce solutions. if you get approved for their training program you can sometimes get a stipend while learning new skills. worth checking out
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Lucas Adams
•That's really good to know! What kind of training did you do? And how long did it take to get approved?
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Zoe Gonzalez
•i did IT certification training. took about 3 weeks to get approved but your area might be different. go to the workforce office in person - way better than trying to do it online
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Ashley Adams
One thing nobody's mentioned is that you should keep requesting payments even after your benefits are exhausted. This seems counterintuitive, but it's important because: 1. If there's ever a federal extension program implemented (which sometimes happens during economic downturns), you'll already be in the system as someone actively requesting benefits 2. TWC sometimes makes retroactive adjustments to benefit amounts based on quarterly wage recalculations 3. It demonstrates continuous job search activity if you later need to reapply Regarding contacting TWC directly - I was in your situation in March 2025 and tried calling for weeks. Always busy signals or disconnects. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual TWC representative in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The TWC rep confirmed what others have said - no extensions currently available, but gave me specific information about training programs I qualified for through Workforce Solutions.
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Lucas Adams
•Thank you so much for the tip about continuing to request payments! I wouldn't have thought of that. And I've been trying to call TWC for days with no luck, so I'll check out that Claimyr service. Did you end up doing one of the training programs they mentioned?
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Ashley Adams
•Yes, I did their healthcare administration program. It took 12 weeks and I got a job within a month of finishing. The stipend wasn't much but it helped bridge the gap. The key was getting accurate information about which programs had the best job placement rates in my area, which I wouldn't have known without speaking to an actual TWC specialist.
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Alexis Robinson
My cousin said he got an extension but I think he was talking about his claim from 2021 during COVID. Things are totally different now.
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Avery Flores
•You're absolutely right. During COVID, there were multiple extension programs including PEUC (Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation) and PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) that provided additional weeks beyond regular benefits. Those programs have been discontinued and haven't been replaced with any other extension options in Texas.
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Aaron Lee
I work in hospitality too and it's been brutal this year. Have you tried looking at healthcare jobs? Sounds weird but a lot of us from hotels have been able to transfer our customer service skills to medical office jobs. They're desperate for people and many places will train you. Just a thought!
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Lucas Adams
•That's actually a really interesting suggestion I hadn't considered. Did you make that switch yourself? I've been so focused on staying in my industry that I might be missing opportunities elsewhere.
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Aaron Lee
•Yes! I was a hotel front desk supervisor and now I work in patient registration at a hospital. Similar skills - dealing with stressed people, handling sensitive information, multitasking. Pay is actually better and the hours are more predictable. Many places are hiring with just a high school diploma if you have good people skills.
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Avery Flores
One last suggestion - check back with TWC in late July. Benefit availability sometimes changes with the start of new fiscal quarters, and occasionally new programs become available. If you continue making payment requests as another commenter suggested, you'll remain active in their system and be notified if anything changes. Also, TWC does periodically review the economic conditions in the state to determine if the Extended Benefits (EB) program should be triggered. While it's not currently active, that status can change if unemployment rates hit certain thresholds. It's rare outside of major economic downturns, but worth keeping an eye on.
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Lucas Adams
•Thank you for this hope! I'll definitely keep requesting payments and check back in July. This has all been really helpful information.
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