Unemployed? Texas Unemployment Insurance Can Help
As the economy spins out of control, all of us fear for our jobs, our savings, and often our way of life. People are losing their homes as mortgages are going into default and banks are repossessing homes. Companies that had been stable in our economy for decades are suddenly fragile and in need of financial help. The government is putting together an enormous financial bailout designed to try to stabilize key businesses in our economy, including the banks. Jobs are becoming precious commodities and can be hard to come by. Even if you’ve had your job for years, are you at risk of losing it? Many people are finding themselves out of work that never thought it would happen to them.
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.