What do I need to do to get my TWC benefits extended after regular UI runs out?

Extensions aren't automatic like they were during COVID. You'll need to keep filing your payment requests every two weeks, but when your regular benefits exhaust, you'll get a notification if you qualify for any extension programs. Right now in Texas, there's Extended Benefits (EB) available for some people, but you have to meet specific requirements. Make sure you're completing at least 3 work search activities each week and documenting them correctly.

my benefits ran out in feb and i didnt get any extension... they just stopped. sucks but thats how it goes sometimes

NOBODY EVER GETS THROUGH TO TWC!!!! I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get someone on the phone when my benefits were about to run out. They kept saying my case was "under review" but nobody could tell me what that meant! The whole system is DESIGNED to make you give up!!!

Extensions are eligibility-based now and not guaranteed. There are two potential extension types you might qualify for: 1. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) - If your job was lost due to foreign competition 2. Extended Benefits (EB) - When state unemployment is high and you've exhausted regular benefits You'll receive a determination letter about 1-2 weeks before your benefits exhaust explaining if you qualify. The key is to maintain all your work search requirements (3 activities per week in Texas) and continue submitting payment requests even during the gap period. This creates a continuous claim record which is important for eligibility. If your determination is delayed or you need to understand why you might not qualify, you'll need to speak with a TWC representative directly.

I went thru this last month and got EB! Just keep requesting payment even if it says your benefits are exhausted. I got a letter about 10 days after my regular UI ran out saying I was approved for extended benefits. But definitely different from the auto-extensions during COVID times.

I had to deal with this situation last year. The most important thing is continuing to submit your payment requests every two weeks even after your benefits exhaust. This creates continuity in your claim. However, I had issues with my extension because there was a flag on my account I wasn't aware of. I couldn't get through on the regular TWC phone lines for days, but I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent within 20 minutes. They have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The TWC agent was able to explain exactly why my extension was on hold and what documentation I needed to submit. Saved me weeks of uncertainty.

When I was applying for extended benefits I found out that my identity verification from ID.me had expired! No one told me and I had to redo the whole process. Make sure all your verification is current before your regular benefits end. Also double check that your work search logs are complete with all the right information. They scrutinize those more closely for extensions.

One other important thing to know is that the TWC system sometimes gets backed up with extension applications. If you don't hear anything within 10 days after your benefits exhaust, you should try to contact them. Your benefit amount might also change with an extension, usually it's the same or slightly less than your regular UI. The most common reasons people get denied extensions are: 1. Not meeting the minimum earnings requirement in your base period 2. Not maintaining proper work search activities 3. Having unreported income or work during your claim period If you've been keeping good records and reporting everything correctly, you should be in good shape.

Just wanted to add that if you're getting close to your benefit year end date (not just exhausting your weekly benefit amount), that's a different situation entirely. You'd need to file a new claim if you have sufficient earnings in a new base period. But it sounds like you're just running out of the total benefit amount before your benefit year expires, which is the scenario everyone else is describing with Extended Benefits. Make sure you know which situation applies to you - check your benefit year end date on your TWC account. The process is totally different depending on whether your benefit year is ending or you're just exhausting your maximum benefit amount.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and it was pretty stressful not knowing what would happen. Here's what I learned: Texas Extended Benefits (EB) are triggered when the state's unemployment rate hits certain thresholds, so availability changes based on economic conditions. When my regular UI exhausted, I kept filing my bi-weekly requests like everyone suggested, and about 2 weeks later I got a determination letter saying I qualified for EB. The payments were the same amount as my regular UI. One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts in my TWC account so I got notified immediately when there were updates. Also, I made sure to screenshot all my work search activities each week just in case there were any questions later. The waiting period was nerve-wracking but it did work out. Keep doing everything you're supposed to do and hopefully you'll get approved for the extension!

I'm in almost the exact same situation - my regular UI benefits are set to exhaust in about 3 weeks and I'm really anxious about what happens next. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about some of these details like the ID.me verification potentially expiring or the importance of continuing to file payment requests even during a gap period. One question I have is about the timing - for those who got Extended Benefits, how long was the gap between your regular benefits ending and the first EB payment? I'm trying to budget for potentially having no income for a few weeks. Also, is there any way to check if Texas currently has Extended Benefits available, or do you just have to wait and see what your determination letter says? I've been very diligent about my work search activities and reporting everything correctly, so hopefully that puts me in a good position. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's making me feel a lot less stressed about this process!

I just went through this process a few weeks ago and wanted to share some additional tips that helped me. First, make sure you have your base period wages documented - I had to provide pay stubs from my qualifying quarters when they reviewed my extension eligibility. Second, if you're doing gig work or any part-time work while on unemployment, be extra careful about reporting it correctly. I almost got disqualified because I miscalculated my earnings from a small freelance job. Also, don't panic if your TWC online account shows weird messages or errors during the transition period. Mine showed "monetarily ineligible" for about a week before my EB kicked in, which scared me until I got the approval letter. One last thing - if you have any outstanding issues on your claim (like identity verification or work search compliance), try to resolve them BEFORE your regular benefits exhaust. It's much harder to get help from TWC when you're in that limbo period between regular UI and extensions.

I'm currently going through this exact situation and wanted to share what I learned from calling TWC directly. After reading through all these helpful responses, I managed to get through to an agent yesterday (took about 2 hours of calling) and got some clarity on the process. The agent confirmed that Texas does currently have Extended Benefits available, but eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and work history. She emphasized that you MUST continue filing your payment requests every two weeks even when it shows $0 - this maintains your claim continuity which is crucial for extension approval. One thing she mentioned that I haven't seen discussed here is that they're being stricter about work search verification for extensions. She recommended keeping detailed records including company names, contact information, dates, and method of application for each of your 3 weekly work search activities. Screenshots of online applications are especially helpful as proof. The good news is that if you qualify for EB, the payments should be retroactive to when your regular benefits exhausted, so you won't lose money during the gap period. The agent said most determinations are being processed within 10-14 days right now. Hope this helps others in the same boat! The waiting and uncertainty is definitely stressful but it sounds like many people are successfully getting extensions if they follow all the requirements.

I'm also approaching the end of my regular UI benefits and this entire thread has been a lifesaver! I had no idea about so many of these details. A few things I wanted to add from my own research: I called my local workforce center yesterday and they mentioned that you can also visit in person if you're having trouble getting through on the phone. Sometimes they can check your account status and help resolve minor issues that might delay your extension approval. Also, for anyone worried about the work search requirements being stricter - I've been using the WorkInTexas.com website for most of my job applications, and it automatically tracks your applications which can serve as good documentation. You can print out your activity history from there. One question for those who have gotten EB - did you have to do anything different for your work search activities once you were on extended benefits, or is it still the same 3 activities per week? I want to make sure I'm prepared for any changes in requirements. This community has been so helpful during this stressful time. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when people share their actual experiences versus trying to decode the TWC website!