TWC partial unemployment with reduced hours - qualify with only 6 hours weekly?

Yes, you absolutely qualify for partial unemployment! When your hours are reduced this significantly, TWC considers it an underemployment situation. The basic rule is that if you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount (WBA), you can receive partial benefits. Here's how it works: 1. Apply for unemployment just like you would if fully unemployed 2. Report your actual earnings each week when you request payment 3. TWC will calculate a partial benefit (they deduct a portion of what you earn from your benefit amount) With only 6 hours a week, you're well below the threshold. Your WBA will be based on your earnings when you were working full-time. Make sure to indicate on your application that your hours were reduced, not that you quit or were fired. I went through this last year when my retail hours got cut to 10 hours weekly. The process is pretty straightforward!

ur definitely eligible!! i had da same thing happen at my warehouse job... went from 40 hrs to like 12 per week. applied for partial and got approved no prob. just make sure when u file u say "still employed but hours reduced" not laid off or anything! TWC will ask for ur current pay so they know how much to give u!

YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL HERE. The restaurant industry is notorious for manipulating workers out of benefits. I got burned by this exact situation in 2022. My hours were cut to almost nothing, but when TWC contacted my employer, they claimed they had "full hours available" but that I was "choosing" to work less!!! It took THREE MONTHS of appeals to get it straightened out. Make sure you document EVERYTHING. Get something in writing (even text messages) showing that your employer is the one reducing hours. Save all schedules they give you. If they post schedules online, take screenshots every week. Don't let them screw you over like they did to me!

You definitely qualify for partial unemployment with those severely reduced hours. The formula TWC uses is that they subtract 30% of your weekly benefit amount from what you earn each week. The remaining amount is deducted from your full weekly benefit amount. For example, if your WBA is $400 and you earn $94 in a week: - 30% of $400 = $120 (this is your "earnings disregard") - Since your earnings of $94 are less than the disregard amount, you'd receive your full $400 WBA - If you worked more and earned, say, $200 that week, they'd subtract ($200 - $120) = $80 from your WBA, so you'd get $320 in benefits You do need to report your earnings accurately each week when requesting payment. And yes, document your reduced schedule in case your employer tries to claim otherwise. One thing I learned trying to call TWC recently - if you're struggling to get through on the phone lines, check out a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that helps you get through to TWC agents without waiting for hours. Saved me days of frustration when I had an issue with my claim. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh

Be prepared for verification delays!! When I applied for partial last month, TWC put my application "under review" for 3+ weeks because they were verifying my reduced hours with my employer. Meanwhile I was struggling to pay bills! If your boss is responsive it might go faster but just wanted to warn you it's not always quick.

One more important thing: you need to do your work search requirements even though you're still technically employed. For partial unemployment in Texas, you still need to complete the minimum 3 work search activities each week and document them when you request payment. You can use job applications, interviews, networking, creating profiles on job sites, or attending job fairs or workshops. Just make sure you keep track of everything you do because TWC can ask for verification. Also, your employer will be notified when you file, so it's usually better to give them a heads-up first. Just present it matter-of-factly: "Since my hours have been reduced so significantly, I'll be filing for partial unemployment while I look for additional work."

just wondering... did ur boss actually tell u that hours would pick up again soon or r they just keeping u hanging?? cuz my friend was in this exact spot and they kept her at like 8hrs for MONTHS hoping she'd just quit so they wouldn't have to pay unemployment!!

Hey OP, just checking back - did you end up applying? Did you run into any issues? The TWC website can be a nightmare to navigate for partial unemployment claims.