As the Times are getting harder and harder companies have no choice but to lay workers off. This trend is going to only get worse. As a Texas resident the question is what do you do now?People usually panic with so many questions and no answers. I was in the same situation, and had no idea on where to start, information was hard to find but I was able to get the help I needed and  have already been able to get back on my feet. I have put this blog together to help the other thousands of Texas resident’s who are facing the same situation.

Where to start

The first thing you should do is gather the needed information to apply for unemployment benefits here is a list of what you will need

You will need the following information to complete your claim application:

• Social Security Number
• Last employer’s business name and address
• Date (month, day and year) you began working for your last employer
• Last date you performed work for your last employer
• If you worked this week, including Sunday, the number of hours worked and pay rate for this period
• Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen or National)
• If you filed a Texas claim for unemployment insurance benefits in the last 12 months, you will need your Tele-Serv Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• Information Related to Normal Wage
• Texas Driver License Number or Texas Identification Card Number (not required)

once you have all of your information together you should go to http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/uiclaim.html

And scroll to the bottom of the page and select start that will take you to the application on the next page.The application should not take you more than 20 minutes to fill in.You should start with this first step for now I will be posting more articles soon and what you should do next  ,to get you back on your feet. So check back or subscribe it’s free and will send the new post directly to your email box when they become availible.

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Texas Unemployment is on the rise, nearly 10% of all America’s working class are out of work. This is a difficult and stressful time. Fortunately, programs like Texas Unemployment Insurance are available to help. Texas Unemployment provides temporary, partial wage replacement for workers that become unemployed through no fault of their own.

The purpose of this blog is to help your understand and access Texas Unemployment benefits. To receive more free tips and information, please sign up at the right side of this page.

Eligibility Requirements for Texas Unemployment Benefits

Your eligibility for Texas Unemployment benefits is based on three things:

1) Your past wages;

2) The reason you are no longer employed; and

3) If you are able, available, and looking for work.

You must have been paid enough wages in covered employment during your base period to qualify monetarily. Covered employment means that employer paid unemployment payroll taxes. If you are not sure, contact your employer’s payroll department. Your base period is determined by the Texas Workforce Commission, usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters.

You must have become unemployed through no fault of your own. If you quit or were fired for misconduct, you may be disqualified from receiving Texas Unemployment benefits.

You must be physically able to work to collect Texas Unemployment benefits. You must be available for and willing to accept full-time employment. Finally, you must be actively looking for work and will be required to submit a weekly job search form.

Applying for Texas Unemployment Benefits

You may file for Texas Unemployment benefits online at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/uiclaim.html or by telephone by calling the following Texas Workforce Commission claim centers:

Austin (512) 477-0999 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (512) 477-0999      end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Dallas (214) 688-7088; El Paso (915) 533-5259; Fort Worth (817) 334-0360; Houston (281) 933-9393; McAllen (956) 668-0788; and San Antonio (210) 227-7939.

For all other areas and out of state claims call toll free at 1-800-558-8321.

You may file online or by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you apply for benefits, you must provide your:

· Social Security Number;

· Last employer’s business name and address;

· First and last dates (month, day and year) you worked for your last employer;

· Number of hours worked and pay rate if you worked this week (including Sunday);

· Information related to your normal wage; and

· Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen or national).

Receiving Texas Unemployment Benefits

If you qualify for Texas Unemployment benefits, your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) will be equal to the wages in your highest quarter of your base period divided by 25. Your maximum benefit amount will be either 26 times your WBA or equal to 27% of your total wages earned during your base period, whichever is less. This amount can be extended by law.

For More Information

Please complete the form on the right to stay informed of all the latest news and updates for Texas Unemployment and tips on how to survive and thrive during this difficult time. Good luck!

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Workers in Texas who find themselves without a job can find relief through the Texas Unemployment Benefits system. If you have previously held a job and lost it through no fault of your own, you will most likely be eligible for Texas Unemployment Benefits. These benefits range in amounts from $58 to $392, depending on the amount of your previous wages. The program is funded through contributions from your employer. This is not a program you pay into.

Think you qualify for benefits? You can apply for Texas Unemployment Benefits in person at the nearest Texas Workforce Center (TWC) which can be found on the website http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/offices.html.
You can apply for unemployment benefits online by going to http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/uiclaim.html. When you apply for your benefits, you’ll need to take along some documents and information. You’ll need your social security card. You’ll need information about your most recent employer and your employment history. It will help to think through and write down information about your previous employers in case you are asked. Make sure you know the dates you were hired and terminated and the numbers of hours you worked each week and your pay rate. These will all be important pieces of information.

After you fill out your application, it will take three to four weeks to find out if you can receive benefits. In order to receive payment, you will need to meet a few requirements created by the state of Texas. The first requirement is that you go out and look for work. You will only get paid for weeks that you have actively searched for work. You must register for work online at www.texasworkforce.org. If you don’t register online, you must register with the nearest workforce center within three business days of filing your unemployment claim.

Texas Workforce Centers provide many tools to help you in your search for a new position. Take some time at the beginning of your job search to prioritize the type of job you are looking for and what your qualifications for those jobs are. Are you missing certain skills that would make you a more desirable hire? If so, what sort of training or education can you go through to obtain those skills? Think about what industries are hiring in the current economy and target them in your job search. Polish up your interview skills and update your resume. And above all, be persistent in your search. There are jobs out there. You’ll find one.

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Filing for Texas Unemployment

The United States, for the past few months has been experiencing tough financial times. It is almost certain that there were those who felt they would never be laid off by their employers, only to find that they have or know someone who has now become unemployed. The Texas Unemployment agency is there for those living in this region and will assist unemployed workers who desire to claim Unemployment Insurance benefits, while unemployed.

To qualify you must have accumulated working wages over the past twelve month period. Those wages are calculated to what would be known as your benefit amount.

In order to make a claim you must be out of a job due to no fault of your own. There are many reasons why you might fall under this category: if you were laid off due to your job’s decreased work load, if you were discharged or let go from a position, or you quit for a medical reason. These are just a few reasons, but there are other circumstances that may qualify you as well.

You are expected to report each week to your local Texas Unemployment agency the following:

· The results of your activities in search for full time employment

· Let them know if you are still available physically to work on a daily basis.

· Be ready to accept suitable work

Once you have made the initial claim, you will be sent a Statement of Benefits or the benefit informational packet. These documents hold the status of your claim; they will inform you of the outcome of the decision made on your behalf regarding your unemployment insurance claim. Included in this packet would be the period used to determine your status within the twelve month timeframe. Your wage amount for that timeframe will be defined and if you qualify, will be the amount used to calculate your benefit amount.

This benefit packet is vital to your claim; it holds all the information needed if your claim requires further investigation. Your benefit packet has your social security number and it is best to double check that all digits are entered correctly. Within this packet are the records they have received from your employer and the factual figures used, it is essential to double check those as well.

You will receive a Determination on Payment form which is the outcome for your claim or claims. In order to receive payment it should read that they have decided to pay you and for what period of work they calculated from. This form should also inform you if were turned down, by the Texas Unemployment agency. In that case, you will also be told what period and why. You have the right to appeal if you don’t agree with the judgment on your claim.

You should receive your first payment near the third or fourth week of the initial claim, if you qualify. Once you have crossed the threshold of your initial claim period, you should start to receive payments on a more regular basis. You should be set up with your chosen form of payment and a lot more familiar with the process of claiming Unemployment Insurance.

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After you file for Texas Unemployment after several weeks you will get a Determination Notice, to let you know if you meet the requirements. The same is also mailed to your last employer whom then has 14 days to respond. Depending if the notice is in your favor or not you both then have an opportunity to appeal the decision. When an appeal is filed there will then be a hearing to let the parties involved a chance to state there case.

.You has different ways to file an appeal, at the local Texas unemployment Workforce Center, by phone, or fax. Your request should include

• Your name and Social Security Number
• Your current address
• The date TWC mailed you the Determination Notice
• A copy of the Determination Notice, if possible
• We also need to know if there are any dates on which you will not be able to participate in a hearing.

You are responsible for meeting UI Benefit requirements

During the appeals process it is your responsibility to fulfill the ongoing availability and work search requirements:

• Make an active search for full-time work every week
• Be physically able to work
• Be available for full-time work
• Apply for and accept suitable work
• Be registered for work online at www.texasworkforce.org, or with the nearest workforce center
• Call TWC, or call or report to a workforce center, as instructed
• Call TeleServ every two weeks to file your claim certifications

It is very important that you continue filing your claim certifications on schedule at Texas Unemployment. TWC can only pay you for the weeks in which you filed timely claim certifications and met all the other requirements. Continue filing claim certifications until you return to work full-time.

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