Prairie Fire Journal

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12/22/09 | by txwordpounder

| Categories: News, Real Life

For those of you in Texas who are wondering about your unemployment benefits going into 2010, here's what I understand the situation to be:

If you are currently eligible for unemployment benefits and your current benefits are exhausted by December 26, 2009, then you will be eligible to collect the next tier of emergency unemployment benefits that you qualify for. Benefits may be paid through May 29, 2010.

However, until Congress renews the emergency unemployment benefits law for 2010, you will not be able to collect any further benefits beyond the tier you become eligible for on or before December 26.

Hopefully this makes sense to you. I've tried to keep it simple. Texas Workforce Commission has a pdf chart that might better illustrate the current benefit situation. Click here to view it.

UPDATE 12-31-09: Congress has extended the above cutoff dates by approximately 2 months. The December 26 deadline has been moved forward to February 27, 2010 and benefits will be paid through July 31, 2010. The new dates are reflected in the TWC pdf chart referenced and linked to above.

25 feedbacks » •

25 comments

Comment from: peter [Visitor]

View the change in Texas Unemployment Trends over the last six months using Heat Maps:
Texas Unemployment this month (BLS data):
http://www.localetrends.com/st/tx-texas-unemployment.php?MAP_TYPE=curr_ue
versus Texas Unemployment levels six months ago:
http://www.localetrends.com/st/tx-texas-unemployment.php?MAP_TYPE=m06_ue

12/23/09 @ 04:48

Comment from: david logan [Visitor]

i have not recieved any paperwork on my extension what do i do i havent had a deposit in 2 weeks im broke

01/19/10 @ 15:04

Comment from: txwordpounder [Member]

David, if you believe you're eligible for extended benefits and haven't received confirmation of that from TWC, then you will probably have to call them to get it straightened out. You can try emailing TWC first, but they will likely send you a canned reply saying you have to call one of their tele-centers. Unfortunately, that means you could be spending days trying to get through to a live person. Good luck.

01/22/10 @ 15:10

Comment from: jbg [Visitor]

My unemployment benefits will run out next week.

question -david logan, did you ever get your benefits

02/09/10 @ 19:06

Comment from: Larry [Visitor]

Mine says I have about 3000 left but im on extended benefits. Will ilose this April 4th,2010?

04/03/10 @ 21:16

Comment from: Barbara W [Visitor]

My husband's unemployment benefits will run out next week. From what I see, he is not eligible for extended benefits. Will he be eligible if the Senate passes HR4851?

Thanks.........

04/06/10 @ 16:11

Comment from: Daniel Ospina [Visitor]

my benefits expired on april 03 2010. do I have a new extension ?

04/10/10 @ 05:56

Comment from: adrian trevino [Visitor]

my benefits finished in march would i qualify for tier 4 in texas

04/11/10 @ 13:27

Comment from: kelvin clay [Visitor]

my benefits runs out on april 21 2010.will i get a new extension?

04/16/10 @ 12:04

Comment from: stephanie [Visitor]

my benefits ended in the last of march will i get the extension if im on tier four?

04/17/10 @ 19:51

Comment from: dave g [Visitor]

my tier 3 has run out and i've heard there is no tier 4 in the future for texans..why??

05/03/10 @ 10:51

Comment from: kelly [Visitor]

I just got off the phone with TWC after waiting over an hour. There is no tier 4 in Texas because Texas has to have an unemployment rate of 8.5 for a FEW months. We have been at 8.2 since March!!! So I just got my last check of a whopping 314.00 this week and have no clue what I am going to do. Good Luck to all And God Bless!

05/04/10 @ 14:24

Comment from: megan [Visitor]

It's amazing how were the one's who suffer because of the decisions of others. I have looked everywhere for a job and no one is hiring not even part time because everybody is trying to hold on to what they have and that't understandable but what about people like us who haven't been that lucky what do we do? All the people who are making these decisions on whether to extend or not but I'm sure they go home every night not worrying how your pay their rent or how their going to feed their family.

05/12/10 @ 10:31

Comment from: Jackie [Visitor]

I have been evicted and have no where to go
the shelters are full and life seem to have
no meaning at this time . I am tired and
I have look for jobs and no answer tell me where do i go from here

05/20/10 @ 14:54

Comment from: kurt gabbard [Visitor]

when do they refigure the unemployment rate,in june?if it is 8.5 will we get back payments of benefits?

05/21/10 @ 10:04

Comment from: Ashley [Visitor]

I applied and received uib in January 2010. My UIB will end in July based on the remaining balance. I cannot determine if I am eligible for Tier I emergency extended benefits. Based on the chart and my claim dates or as I am understanding it I will not. Hopefully I am working by then but wonder if anyone else knows.

06/21/10 @ 14:17

Comment from: steven c. [Visitor]

GOD HELP US ALL

06/23/10 @ 15:33

Comment from: john garcia [Visitor]

i ran out of benefits n now i am so close of getting kick out of my apartmen nobody is hiring n they dont wanna give the extension this is crazy i have kids n sooon we will be homeless

06/25/10 @ 00:26

Comment from: W.Meyer [Visitor]

Once again the politicians are only looking out for themselves... Texas has been at
%8.3 unemployment for the last three months and we can't even get the tier 4 (6 wk) extension ! My Tier 3 ran out in April, my savings is GONE, and my wife and I are about to be homeless... Maybe I'll go to Austin and pitch a tent on Rick Perry's front lawn ?

06/25/10 @ 12:25

Comment from: vikki [Visitor]

i am unemployed to my last check has come and went but remember GOD said come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and i will give you rest take my yoke upon you and learn of me for i am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto yuor souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light its time to stand up for God he will see us thur

06/25/10 @ 13:42

Comment from: Kim [Visitor]

We know that God has all power and He is in control. God said in His word He will never leave us nor forsake us. I encourage everyone to hold on to your faith in God and He will see us thru. This battle is His not ours and I believe God did not bring us this far to leave us. There is still hope and that hope is in Jesus. Just hold on because your breakthru is on the way.

06/26/10 @ 11:04

Comment from: David [Visitor]

My last payment was in june but my cut of date is july does this means there is no more payment even if the senate ok the benefits.I job are around but lost of job only hire certian one that has skill and many people get turn down because of that and age.I'am not saying that our senate has to take care of us on unemployment just long enough for middle class and poor people to get out there and get a job because it not up to us it up to the company if the let you work or not and then we get cut off for that.

06/27/10 @ 14:06

Comment from: Gladys [Visitor]

My benefits say I am to be paid to 12/18/2010-but when I filed it says my benefits are all paid--, but let me process a claim. Another coworker says their benefits have stopped, is TWC just giving 6mos now?

07/04/10 @ 17:49

Comment from: ParadisoFinale [Visitor]

OK, finally some answers from TWC as their website was confusing as far as the federal extention. My initial claim is still active, however, all my funds have been used and my balance is 0. TWC said on their site that if you have continued to file payment requests that you do not have to do anything. NOT TRUE. It took me 3 hours, but finally got through to them on the phone. If you fall in this category with a still active claim and a 0 balance on regular state benefits, they will open a new claim while you are on the phone and back date it to 6/19/2010. This has been done and I will start receiving Tier 1 benefits. The guy at TWC said the funds would be on my debit card by Wednesday or Thursday OF THIS WEEK. Hope this helps people that just wanted some answers. Cheers and good luck.

07/26/10 @ 16:14

Comment from: T.cole [Visitor]

I have found out that my claim ends in Dec,yet my extension has ended from state and federal funds has been exhausted.I was under the impression that I would be getting funds,from the time I was told to keep calling which I have counted eight weeks of pay,Ifound out this morning I only get the remainder of my balance which is 482.00,I don't how I will pay my rent I'm getting an eviction and have to be in court on the 11th of August. Will there be any help for those who benefits have ended? I need help,no job,no money I have a grandson to raise plus school will be starting.What is the government going to do to help us from being on the street?

07/30/10 @ 10:47

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