TWC benefits exhausted - what options after regular UI runs out in Texas?

Unfortunately, Texas no longer has any unemployment extension programs since the pandemic emergency programs ended. All the federal extensions like PEUC are gone. However, here are some other resources you should immediately apply for: 1. SNAP benefits (food stamps) - apply through YourTexasBenefits.com 2. CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program) - can help with those utility bills 3. Texas Rent Relief program - they periodically open applications when funding is available 4. Check with local churches and community action agencies Also, has your husband tried applying at Amazon warehouses? They're hiring all over Texas right now, starting at $18-22/hour with pretty much immediate starts. Might not be ideal, but it's something while he continues looking in his field.

my bf went thru the same thing last yr. he got a job at UPS loading trucks at nite shift. hard work but they start u right away and its like $17/hr plus benefits after 90 days. also try whataburger they hired my cousin in 2 days

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the TWC system is BROKEN and USELESS once your benefits run out. My husband and I both worked in oil & gas and went through this nightmare last year. The state of Texas doesn't care if you become homeless! Call your state rep's office and tell them what's happening - sometimes they can help with utility assistance programs that have special funds. Also, if your husband is getting interviews but no offers, something might be off with how he's interviewing. Is he addressing the gap period? Sometimes employers think you've been sitting around collecting unemployment by choice. Have him emphasize all the applications and his eagerness to work.

Have u tried 211? They can connect u with emergency rent assistance and utility help. Also food banks dont just have food anymore, many have emergency funds for families about to be evicted.

One thing to know is that your husband can actually requalify for a new benefit year if he's worked at all during his claim period (even part-time). If he earned enough wages in the quarters before filing a new claim, he might be eligible again. The issue is that he would need to have worked enough to establish a new base period, even if those jobs were temporary. Also, if you're facing eviction, immediately contact Texas Legal Aid (texaslawhelp.org) as there are specific procedures landlords must follow, and knowing your rights can buy you more time. As for the job search, the Texas Workforce Commission offers retraining programs that can help transition to industries that are actively hiring. The TWC offices (not the unemployment side, but the workforce side) can provide career counseling and sometimes have connections with employers who are actively hiring. But you'd need to physically go to a Workforce Solutions office, as the phone lines for regular TWC are nearly impossible to get through.

If your husband is still trying to reach TWC to ask about possible extensions or reapplying, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to a TWC agent quickly. I was in the same boat last month - regular benefits exhausted and couldn't get anyone on the phone for days. Tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to a real TWC agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Even though there aren't extensions available anymore, talking to an agent directly helped me understand all my options, including how to properly file a new claim based on my limited part-time work during my benefit year. Worth it to get actual answers instead of guessing.

You might want to check if your husband qualifies for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if his job loss was related to foreign competition or outsourcing, which happens a lot in oil and gas. It provides extended benefits AND pays for retraining. Worth asking TWC about specifically. Also, while not immediate help, he should look into CDL training programs. They're short (4-6 weeks), many companies will pay for the training if he commits to work for them, and starting pay is typically $60-70k in Texas with guaranteed employment. My brother-in-law did this after 20 years in oil and gas and wishes he'd done it sooner.

Just following up - were you able to contact the workforce office or apply for any of the assistance programs mentioned? Sometimes the workforce offices know about job openings that aren't publicly posted yet, especially if your husband is willing to consider something different from his previous field.