TWC question: Switching from disaster unemployment (Beryl) to regular benefits after layoff
I've been getting disaster unemployment benefits due to Hurricane Beryl causing our business to temporarily close for repairs. I was only missing a week of work initially but now my boss just called me yesterday saying they're permanently laying me off since the damage was worse than expected. They told me I can now collect regular unemployment instead. Does anyone know how this works? Do I need to file a new claim or will my disaster claim automatically convert? I'm confused because I was already in the TWC system for the disaster benefits. Will my benefit amount change? Really stressing about this since I've got rent due next week.
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Sebastián Stevens
I went through something similar after Hurricane Harvey back in the day. You'll need to file a NEW claim for regular unemployment benefits. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and regular UI are completely separate programs with different funding sources. When you file your new claim, make sure to mention you were receiving DUA benefits previously - they'll need to know this to properly close that claim. The benefit amount might be different since regular UI is calculated based on your base period earnings while DUA has its own calculation method. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a TWC agent quickly to sort out the transition - saved me hours of busy signals. They have a demo video if you're interested: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh
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Angelina Farar
•Thank you! I didn't realize they were totally separate programs. My DUA payments were about $460/week - do you think regular benefits will be around the same? Also, did you have to provide all your employment info again or do they already have it from the disaster claim?
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Bethany Groves
cant u just keep collecting the disaster money? why would u tell them anything diffetent?
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KingKongZilla
•This is terrible advice. DUA benefits are only for people who lost work temporarily due to a disaster. Once you're permanently laid off, continuing to collect DUA would be fraud. TWC cross-checks employment records and you could end up having to repay all benefits plus penalties.
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Rebecca Johnston
sorry ur going thru this!! beryl totally destroyed my workplace too. ive been getting the disaster benefits but im SO confused about everything. the TWC website is impossible to understand and nobody answers the phone EVER. did u get thru to anyone yet?? im still waiting after 8 calls today :
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Nathan Dell
•Try calling at EXACTLY 7:00 am when they open. That's how I finally got through after weeks of trying. Also Tuesday-Thursday seems better than Monday or Friday in my experience.
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KingKongZilla
Here's what you need to do step by step: 1. File a new regular UI claim as soon as possible at ui.texasworkforce.org or by calling 800-939-6631 2. When filing, indicate you were previously on DUA for Hurricane Beryl 3. Have your employment information for the last 18 months ready, including company names, addresses, employment dates, and reason for separation 4. For the separation reason, select "Laid Off" or "Business Closed" - NOT disaster-related options 5. After filing, you'll receive a Statement of Benefits showing your weekly benefit amount based on your past wages 6. Continue requesting payment every two weeks even during the transition Your benefit amount will likely be different as regular UI is calculated using your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing). The maximum is currently $619/week in Texas. Also, remember you'll need to complete at least 3 work search activities each week for regular UI.
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Angelina Farar
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll start the new application today. One more question - will the fact that I was already receiving disaster unemployment affect my eligibility period? Like will I get fewer weeks of regular unemployment?
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Maya Jackson
i got laid off last month after beryl too but they DENIED me!!! said i didnt work enough quarters or something?????? its total BS because i worked at that job for 6 months full time!! now im appealing but no idea what to do
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Tristan Carpenter
•To qualify for regular UI in Texas, you need wages in at least 3 of the last 4 completed calendar quarters before filing, and total earnings of at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount. If you only worked 6 months, you might not have enough qualifying quarters. For your appeal, gather any evidence of additional employment during your base period, even part-time work. Also, check if you might still qualify for DUA if your job loss was ultimately caused by the hurricane.
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Tristan Carpenter
When transitioning from DUA to regular UI, you need to understand a few technical points: 1. Unlike DUA, regular UI requires you to have sufficient wages in your base period (about 12-18 months before filing) 2. The TWC computer system will automatically check if you have a previous regular UI claim before your DUA claim. If you do, and it hasn't expired, they might reopen that claim instead of creating a new one 3. If you're eligible for regular UI, any remaining DUA eligibility ends immediately 4. Regular UI typically provides up to 26 weeks of benefits while DUA is generally limited to 26 weeks from the disaster declaration date 5. When you file for regular UI, be prepared to explain the entire situation clearly - that you initially had temporary work loss due to Beryl but now face permanent layoff Also, make sure to upload your layoff notice or other documentation of permanent separation if possible.
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Angelina Farar
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I've been at this job for 3 years so I should have enough wages in my base period. I'll definitely explain the whole situation clearly when I apply.
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Nathan Dell
The exact same thing happened to my boyfriend's cousin!!! He was on disaster unemployment after Beryl hit, then they closed down the whole restaurant permanently. He applied for regular benefits and got approved in about 10 days. His regular UI amount was actually MORE than the disaster amount! But yeah, totally separate application process.
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Angelina Farar
•That's encouraging to hear! Did he have any issues with the transition period between benefits? I'm worried about a gap where I won't receive anything.
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KingKongZilla
One important update: if your DUA claim is still active when you apply for regular UI, TWC will automatically evaluate whether you qualify for regular benefits. If you do, they'll switch you to the program that pays the higher amount. Make sure you continue requesting payment for DUA until you're officially notified about your regular UI approval. And remember, once you start regular UI, you MUST complete and document at least 3 work search activities each week - this isn't required for DUA but is mandatory for regular benefits.
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Angelina Farar
•Got it - I'll keep requesting my DUA payments until I hear back about the regular UI application. I've already started looking for jobs so I'll make sure to document everything. TWC says we can use WorkInTexas.com to track our work search activities, right?
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Rebecca Johnston
My disaster benefits werent even enough to cover my bills so maybe regular ui will be better?? Idk. This whole unemployment system is SO COMPLICATED. Why cant they just make it simple?? Good luck with everything!!
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Sebastián Stevens
•Regular UI can be higher than DUA for many people since it's based on your actual earnings. DUA has more standardized payment amounts. But you're right - the system is ridiculously complicated and not user-friendly at all!
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