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DUA benefits duration in Texas - How long can disaster unemployment last?

Does anyone know exactly how long Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) claims last in Texas? I applied after the flooding last month damaged my workplace and we had to close down. Got approved pretty quick but the TWC rep wasn't clear about the timeline. Some people at work said it's only 13 weeks, others said it might be longer depending on the disaster declaration. The paperwork mentions something about 26 weeks but I'm not sure if that's for regular UI or DUA. I need to budget and figure out if I should be looking for a job in another city since rebuilding will take a while. Thanks!

NebulaNinja

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DUA benefits typically last up to 26 weeks from the date of the disaster declaration, not from when you applied or were approved. This is different from regular UI which runs for 26 weeks from approval. The specific end date should be listed in your determination letter from TWC. You can also see the exact end date in your online account under the "Claim and Payment Status" section. If you're not sure, I'd verify the exact date because it varies by disaster.

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Thanks! I'll check my determination letter again. I might have missed that detail about the 26 weeks starting from the disaster declaration date, not my application date. That makes a big difference for planning.

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Javier Gomez

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DUA is NOT the same as regular unemployment!!! I learned this the hard way after Hurricane Harvey. The 26 weeks is MAXIMUM but they can cut it shorter if FEMA decides the disaster period is over!! My benefits stopped after just 19 weeks even though they originally said 26. They don't care if your workplace is still rebuilding!

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Emma Wilson

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omg thats scary. i just got approved for dua last week after the flooding. nobody told me they could just end it early!!

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Javier Gomez

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Call TWC and specifically ask about the end date for YOUR disaster. Don't trust what anyone else says, even people affected by the same flood. They'll give you different answers depending who you talk to!!

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Malik Thomas

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my cousin got dua last year and it was definately 26 weeks for him. he got payments the whole time until he found a new job. maybe it depends which county your in or how bad the disaster was?

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NebulaNinja

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It actually depends on the specific disaster declaration terms issued by FEMA and the Governor. Some disasters have standard 26-week assistance periods, while others may be shorter depending on the scope and recovery timeline. The official declaration establishes these parameters, which is why benefits can vary between different disasters even in the same region.

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If you need to verify your exact DUA end date, good luck getting through to TWC on the phone. I spent three weeks trying every day before I found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a live agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call TWC for you and then connect you when they reach an agent. Saved me hours of frustration. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh or their website claimyr.com. For something as important as knowing when your benefits end, it's worth not playing phone tag for days.

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I've been calling the DUA number for 2 days straight with no luck, just constant busy signals. I'll check out that service - at this point I just need to talk to someone who can give me a straight answer about my end date.

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Ravi Kapoor

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Hey there, I went through a similar situation with DUA after the tornado in Deer Park. Here's what I learned: 1. DUA is usually limited to 26 weeks maximum from the disaster declaration date 2. Make sure you keep doing your work search requirements (3 per week) even with DUA 3. You have to request payment every two weeks just like regular UI 4. The benefit amount is calculated differently than regular UI 5. If you find even part-time work, report it immediately The most important thing: even if your workplace is still rebuilding, TWC expects you to be looking for work if there are "suitable" jobs available in your area. They can audit your work search activities at any time.

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This is really helpful! I wasn't sure if the work search requirements were different for DUA. I've been doing my 3 activities each week just to be safe, but it's good to know that's correct.

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Freya Larsen

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i got dua last year and they kept sending me emails about the disaster period ending soon but then they extended it twice. ended up getting almost 8 months total but they kept saying it was gonna end. the whole thing is confusing nobody at twc gives the same answer

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Emma Wilson

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wait what?? 8 months?? thats like 32 weeks! everything i read said 26 was maximum.

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NebulaNinja

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In rare cases, FEMA can extend DUA beyond the standard 26 weeks when recovery is taking longer than expected, particularly for catastrophic disasters. This isn't common though, and you should never count on extensions. It's best to plan as if the benefits will end at the original declared end date.

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I finally got through to someone at TWC this morning! For anyone else wondering about DUA duration, the agent confirmed my benefits will last exactly 26 weeks from the disaster declaration date (not from when I applied). But she also said benefits could potentially end earlier if FEMA declares the disaster period over or if my workplace reopens sooner than expected. I need to keep checking my TWC correspondence since they'll send notices about any changes. Thanks everyone for your help!

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Ravi Kapoor

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Glad you got through! One more thing - make sure to document everything about your workplace rebuilding timeline. If your employer tells TWC they're reopening before they actually do, it can create problems with your benefits. Keep email proof of any communications about the rebuilding schedule.

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That's a great tip, thank you! Our manager has been sending weekly updates about the rebuilding, so I'll save all of those emails just in case.

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