TWC benefits expired - any extended benefits still available in Texas?

Unfortunately, Texas doesn't currently offer any extended benefits program as of 2025. The pandemic-era programs like PUA, PEUC, and EB all ended years ago. Once you exhaust your regular UI benefits (the 26 weeks), that's it unless Congress passes new legislation. You can try applying for other assistance programs though - SNAP benefits (food stamps), TANF, or rental assistance through local organizations. Also make sure you're registered with WorkInTexas.com for job matching services. Hang in there! The healthcare field is actually growing in certain areas. Are you looking at clinics and telehealth companies too or just hospitals?

I JUST went through this exact thing!!! The 26 weeks goes by so fast and then BOOM - you're just cut off. It's RIDICULOUS how TX doesn't help people who are STILL LOOKING for work after benefits end!!! Other states have better systems but Texas TWC is a JOKE once your benefits are gone. I've been calling for 3 weeks trying to see if there are ANY options and can't even get a human on the phone. The automated system just tells me my benefits are exhausted. Thanks for nothing TWC!!!! 😡😡😡

To give you the proper information: Texas only offers the standard 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits unless special federal extensions are authorized (which they aren't currently). However, I recommend a couple things: 1. If it's been a full year since you first applied, you may be eligible to file a new claim if you had any work during your benefit year. Even part-time work might qualify you for some benefits. 2. Make sure you're meeting all the work search requirements (minimum 3 activities per week in Texas) and documenting them in case you become eligible again later. 3. If your financial situation is severe, contact 211 Texas for emergency assistance programs. I'd also recommend using Claimyr if you need to actually speak with someone at TWC. I was in a similar situation and couldn't get answers for weeks until I used their service (claimyr.com). They have a system that helps you get through to a TWC agent quickly instead of facing busy signals all day. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh

My sister just filed a new claim after her benefits ran out and she got approved again but for a much lower amount. She had worked like 2 months during her benefit year so that was enough. Definitely worth trying if you worked at all! Also have you checked out healthcare staffing agencies? Places like AMN Healthcare or Medical Solutions? They're always looking for medical assistants for temp assignments and sometimes they can lead to permanent positions.

I went through this last month. The TWC site is confusing because they don't clearly say "no more benefits after 26 weeks" - they just say your benefits are exhausted. I spent hours trying to find some kind of extension process that doesn't exist. If you did work during your benefit year, definitely file a new claim. I had 10 weeks of part-time work and qualified for a new claim at about 60% of my previous weekly benefit amount. It's not great but better than nothing. Also, double check your TWC correspondence inbox. Sometimes they send options or other program recommendations but the notifications get lost in email.

To follow up on your question about filing a new claim - you can absolutely do it online and it's much faster than calling. Log into your TWC account and look for the "Apply for Benefits" option. The system will recognize you've had a previous claim and will ask different questions than your first application. With 6 weeks of part-time work, you might qualify for some benefits, though the amount would be lower than your previous claim. The formula is based on your highest-paid quarter in your base period, so even part-time work counts. One important note: when you file again, make sure you report ALL work and earnings during your previous benefit year accurately. TWC cross-checks this information against employer reports, and discrepancies can lead to overpayment issues.

my benefits ran out last yr and i tried that claimyr thing someone mentioned. it actually worked and got me thru to twc in like 30 min when i couldnt get thru for days before. the agent told me since i had some work in my benefit yr i could apply again but would get less money. ended up getting about $185/week instead of the $320 i was getting before. not great but helped until i found something.

For anyone reading this thread later, here's a summary of options when your Texas unemployment benefits expire in 2025: 1. If you worked during your benefit year (even part-time): File a new claim online 2. If you didn't work during your benefit year: Unfortunately, no extensions are currently available 3. Other assistance options: - SNAP (food benefits): https://yourtexasbenefits.com/ - TANF (cash assistance for families) - Texas Rent Relief programs (through local agencies) - Community Action Agencies can help with utilities - Local workforce centers for job search assistance 4. Contact 211 Texas to be connected with resources One more tip: if you need to reach TWC by phone to discuss specific options for your situation, remember that Mondays and Tuesdays are their busiest days. Try calling on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning for better odds of getting through.

Just wanted to add that if you're in the healthcare field, you might also want to check with your state licensing board to see if they have any job placement resources or partnerships with employers. Some medical assistant programs also have alumni networks or career services that continue after graduation. Also, don't overlook telehealth companies - they've been expanding rapidly and many are hiring remote medical assistants for patient intake, scheduling, and basic triage work. Companies like Teladoc, Amwell, and MDLive often have openings. The pay might be different than traditional clinical work, but it could be a bridge while you're looking for your ideal position. Good luck with your new claim application! Even getting $170/week will help take some pressure off while you're job hunting.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! My 26 weeks just ended last week and I'm also in healthcare (LPN). The stress is real when you're still actively job searching but the money stops coming in. Based on what everyone's saying here, I'm definitely going to file a new claim since I did some PRN work at a nursing home during my benefit year. Even if it's less money, something is better than nothing while I keep looking. Has anyone had luck with the VA medical centers? I know they're always hiring healthcare workers and the benefits are supposed to be good. Might be worth checking USAJobs.gov if you haven't already. Also, don't forget about urgent care centers - they seem to be popping up everywhere and usually need medical assistants. Thanks for starting this thread - it's helpful to know I'm not alone in this situation!

I'm sorry you're going through this - the transition from regular benefits to nothing is really jarring. Just wanted to add another resource that might help: check with your local American Job Centers (also called Texas Workforce Solutions offices). They often have partnerships with healthcare employers and can provide free resume reviews, interview prep, and sometimes even direct connections to hiring managers. Also, since you mentioned medical assisting, have you looked into laboratory companies like LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics? They frequently hire medical assistants for patient services roles and the work is pretty steady. The pay is usually competitive and they often have good benefits packages. One more tip - if you do file that new claim based on your part-time work, make sure to keep doing your weekly work search activities even while the claim is processing. TWC can take a few weeks to approve new claims and you want to stay compliant the whole time. Hang in there! The healthcare job market is tough right now but your skills are definitely in demand - it's just a matter of finding the right fit.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and want to share what worked for me. After my 26 weeks ran out, I was panicking because I'm a single mom and couldn't afford to have zero income coming in. The good news is that since you worked 6 weeks part-time during your benefit year, you should definitely qualify for a new claim. I had only worked about 4 weeks at a retail job during mine and still got approved for $142/week - not much, but it covered groceries and kept me afloat. Here's what I learned: File the new claim online ASAP because it can take 2-3 weeks to process. Keep documenting your job searches religiously during the waiting period. And don't get discouraged if the weekly amount is way lower - it's temporary help while you find something better. Also, for healthcare jobs specifically - check out home health agencies! They're always desperate for medical assistants and CNAs. The pay isn't always great but many will hire quickly and some offer sign-on bonuses. Companies like Visiting Angels, Home Instead, and Bayada are usually hiring. You've got this! The uncertainty is the worst part, but having even a small weekly payment makes such a difference mentally.

I'm in almost the exact same boat - my TWC benefits just expired two weeks ago and I've been scrambling to figure out what my options are. Reading through this thread has been incredibly helpful and honestly a huge relief to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. I'm also in healthcare (medical billing/coding) and the job market feels brutal right now. I did work about 8 weeks at a temp agency during my benefit year, so based on what everyone's sharing here, I'm definitely going to file a new claim today. Even if it's only $150-200/week, that would help tremendously with basic expenses while I keep job hunting. Has anyone had experience with medical billing companies that hire remote workers? With my coding background, I'm wondering if there are opportunities I haven't explored yet. Companies like Optum or AAPC-certified employers might be worth checking out. Also want to echo what others have said about this thread being like a support group - it's amazing how much better I feel just knowing there are resources and options available, even if they're not ideal. The stress of going from regular benefits to zero income is no joke, but having concrete next steps makes all the difference. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences and advice!

I just want to say how grateful I am for this entire thread - you all have given me more useful information in one day than I got from hours of trying to navigate the TWC website and calling their phone lines! I'm definitely filing my new claim today based on my 6 weeks of part-time work. Even if it's only around $170/week like the system estimated, that will cover my car payment and phone bill while I keep applying for positions. For anyone else reading this who's in the same situation: don't panic like I did when you get that "benefits exhausted" message. Check if you worked AT ALL during your benefit year - even a few weeks of part-time work can qualify you for a new claim with reduced benefits. And definitely apply for SNAP and other assistance programs while you're job hunting. This community has been such a lifeline during a really stressful time. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and advice. Sometimes you just need to know you're not alone and that there are still options available, even when it feels like you've hit a dead end. I'll update this thread once I hear back about my new claim in case it helps other people in similar situations!

I'm so glad I found this thread! My TWC benefits just expired yesterday and I was feeling completely lost about what to do next. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful and honestly such a relief. I'm also in healthcare (respiratory therapy) and have been struggling to find a position despite applying everywhere. The market seems really competitive right now. I did work about 4 weeks at a temporary staffing assignment during my benefit year, so based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like I should definitely try filing a new claim. Has anyone had experience with hospital systems that use travel or per diem respiratory therapists? I'm wondering if I should look into agencies like Cross Country Healthcare or AMN Healthcare that place people in temporary positions. Sometimes those can lead to permanent offers, and at this point I'm open to relocating if needed. Also want to echo what others have said - this thread has been like finding a support group I didn't know I needed. The stress of going from regular benefits to nothing while still actively job searching is really overwhelming, but hearing everyone's advice and success stories gives me hope that there are still options available. Thank you to everyone who has shared their knowledge and experiences!

Just wanted to add my experience to this really helpful thread! My TWC benefits expired about 6 months ago and I was in a similar panic mode. I'm a pharmacy technician and the job market has been really tough. I did end up qualifying for a new claim based on about 8 weeks of part-time work I did at a CVS during my benefit year. The weekly amount dropped from $285 to about $195, but honestly that $195 made all the difference in covering basic expenses while I kept searching. One thing I learned - when you file the new claim, they ask really detailed questions about your work during the previous benefit year, including exact dates and wages. Make sure you have all that information ready because it speeds up the process. Also, they may request wage verification from your employer, so don't be surprised if there's a brief delay while they confirm everything. For anyone in pharmacy/healthcare looking for work, don't overlook retail pharmacies that are expanding their clinical services. Walgreens, CVS, and even grocery store pharmacies are adding immunization programs and health screenings that need trained techs. The pay might not be ideal, but many offer health benefits and are often willing to hire quickly. This thread has been such a valuable resource - thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I'm going through the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My benefits just expired this week after 26 weeks and I've been stressing about what options I have left. Like many others here, I'm in healthcare (CNA) and the job market feels really competitive right now. Based on everyone's advice, I'm definitely going to file a new claim since I worked about 7 weeks at a nursing home during my benefit year. Even if it's a reduced amount, having something coming in weekly will help so much with basic expenses while I keep applying for positions. One thing I wanted to add - for those of us in healthcare, don't forget to check with staffing agencies that specialize in medical placements. Companies like IntelyCare, ShiftMed, and Nursa are always looking for CNAs and offer flexible scheduling. Some of my former classmates have had good luck picking up shifts through these apps while searching for permanent positions. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to TWC by phone, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during lunch hours when it might be less busy. I finally got through yesterday afternoon around 2 PM and the agent was actually really helpful in explaining my options. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's such a relief to know we're not alone in dealing with this stressful transition!

I'm in the exact same situation and this entire thread has been such a blessing to find! My TWC benefits just expired this past Monday and I've been losing sleep worrying about how I'm going to make ends meet while still job searching. I'm a medical assistant too, and you're absolutely right about the competition being brutal right now. I've submitted probably 50+ applications over the past few months with very few callbacks. It's so discouraging when you're qualified and experienced but still can't seem to land anything. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much hope though! I worked about 5 weeks at a urgent care clinic during my benefit year covering for someone on maternity leave, so it sounds like I should definitely file a new claim based on what others are sharing. Even if it's only $150-200/week, that would cover my car insurance and utilities while I keep grinding through applications. Has anyone had luck with the bigger hospital systems like HCA or Tenet? I've applied to several positions with them but their hiring process seems to take forever. Also considering looking into dermatology and plastic surgery offices since they often need MAs and the work is usually more predictable than family practice. Thank you so much for starting this thread - sometimes you just need to know you're not the only one going through this struggle!

I'm going through this exact situation right now too! My benefits just expired last Friday and I've been frantically trying to figure out what my options are. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea that working even part-time during your benefit year could qualify you for a new claim. I'm also in healthcare (phlebotomist) and have been struggling to find a permanent position despite having 3+ years of experience. The competition is insane right now! I did work about 6 weeks at a temp agency covering different labs during my benefit year, so based on everyone's advice here, I'm definitely going to file a new claim today. For other phlebotomists out there - don't overlook mobile phlebotomy companies like Any Lab Test Now or Bioreference. They're always looking for experienced phlebs for home draws and workplace screenings. The scheduling can be unpredictable but it's decent pay and keeps your skills sharp while searching for something permanent. Also wanted to mention that Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp often have openings that aren't posted on their main career sites - try calling individual lab locations directly and asking if they need per diem or part-time help. Sometimes managers have immediate needs that haven't made it through corporate HR yet. This thread has been such a lifesaver during what felt like the most hopeless week ever. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - it's amazing how much better I feel knowing there are still options and that we're all going through this together!