TWC second claim after benefits exhaustion - will I qualify in October?

Yes, it's true you can reapply after your benefit year ends, which would be October 2025 in your case. However, there's a catch - to qualify for a new claim, you need to have worked and earned wages in at least 2 quarters since your previous claim began. If you haven't worked at all since last October, you likely won't qualify for a new claim. The TWC requires you to have earned at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount during your base period to establish a new claim. Without new work since your last claim, you probably won't meet this requirement.

same boat here! lost my job last summer, benefits gone in January, still nothing!! its crazy out there right now, nobody hiring in my area either 😞

The previous commenter is correct about needing qualifying wages in your base period. However, your gig work (DoorDash, etc.) DOES count as wages if you reported it properly and paid taxes on it. The issue is whether you earned enough - 37 times your weekly benefit amount is typically several thousand dollars. You should call TWC directly to get a definitive answer about your specific situation. You can ask if your base period wages would qualify you for a new claim. But be prepared for a long wait time trying to reach them - their phone lines are notoriously busy.

Try Claimyr! I was in the same boat trying to reach TWC for 2 weeks straight with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an actual person in about 20 minutes. It basically calls TWC for you and holds your place in line, then calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The website is claimyr.com - worth it to get actual answers about your situation instead of guessing.

have u tried the warehouse jobs??? amazon always hiring and they pay ok. not great but better than nothing until u find something in ur field

The job market is RIGGED! I was on unemployment twice and the second time they denied me saying I didn't have enough wages. Even though I worked 4 months between claims!!! The whole system is designed to DENY benefits. They'll probably find some reason to deny you too. And good luck getting through on the phone to appeal - I called FIFTY EIGHT TIMES one day!!!!!

Just want to mention - make sure you're documenting ALL your work search activities properly. I know you mentioned doing 5 per week, which is great (TWC only requires 3), but are you recording them in your TWC account? If you do qualify for a new claim, they'll review your work search history from your previous benefit period. Also, have you tried reaching out to Texas Workforce Solutions for job placement assistance? They often have resources for people in your situation beyond just unemployment benefits.

After using Claimyr to speak with TWC, make sure to also ask about Extended Benefits or any other special programs you might qualify for. Occasionally there are state or federal extensions available depending on economic conditions. Regarding working between benefit years - the base period for your new claim would be July 2024 through June 2025, excluding the most recent completed quarter. So even if you find work now, it might not count toward your next claim's base period. Good luck! The healthcare admin field usually picks up in the fall as hospitals adjust budgets for the new year, so your timing might actually work out.