I just want to echo what others have said - you're absolutely doing this right! I was in a nearly identical situation last year (lost my main manufacturing job but kept my part-time evening job at a restaurant). The key thing that helped me was understanding that Texas specifically designed their partial unemployment system for situations exactly like yours. What really put my mind at ease was realizing that TWC's system is actually pretty sophisticated - when you report your part-time earnings each week, their computer automatically calculates your partial benefit using the formula that @Manny Lark explained perfectly. If there was something fundamentally wrong with your eligibility, the system would have flagged it during your initial application process. I collected partial benefits for about 5 months while job searching, always reported my restaurant income accurately, and never had any issues. The peace of mind came from being completely transparent and keeping good records. You're not trying to hide anything or game the system - you're using it exactly as intended for someone who lost their primary job but still has some income. Keep doing what you're doing!

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago! Lost my full-time job at an auto parts warehouse but kept my weekend gig at a local diner. I was absolutely terrified about the same thing - kept thinking TWC made some kind of mistake approving me and that I'd get slammed with a huge overpayment bill later. What really helped was understanding that partial unemployment is actually super common in Texas. The system is set up specifically for people like us who lose their main job but still have some income trickling in. As long as you're being 100% honest about your part-time earnings (which it sounds like you are), you're golden. I ended up collecting partial benefits for about 4 months while I found a new full-time position, and never had any problems. The key is just consistency - report those retail hours and wages accurately every single time, keep your work search logs updated, and don't stress too much about the horror stories. Most of those come from people who either weren't reporting income correctly or had disputes with their employers about their separation. You're doing everything right! The fact that you're being so careful and transparent shows you're approaching this the right way.

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!

This is such a comprehensive discussion! I'm in the exact same situation - my regular UI benefits will exhaust in about 3 weeks and I was really anxious about what comes next. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring and informative. A few key takeaways I'm noting for my own preparation: - Keep filing payment requests every two weeks even when it shows $0 - Make sure ID.me verification is current - Document work search activities with extra detail (company names, contact info, screenshots) - Be prepared for 1-3 weeks gap but payments should be retroactive if approved - Consider visiting workforce center in person if phone lines are impossible One thing I'm curious about - for those who got approved for EB, did you receive any kind of interim communication during the review period, or did you just wait until the determination letter arrived? I'm the type who gets really anxious when things are uncertain, so knowing whether to expect updates along the way would help me manage my stress levels better. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences here. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone approaching benefit exhaustion - it's way more helpful than anything on the official TWC website!

Hey Amy! I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that helped me when I appealed my TWC denial last year. Since you mentioned anxiety attacks from the hostile work environment, make sure to document any medical visits or treatment you received related to workplace stress. Even if it's just notes from a doctor's visit or prescription records, this can strengthen your case. Also, when describing the "hostile work environment" in your appeal, be very specific about behaviors rather than general statements. Instead of saying "my boss was mean," write something like "On [specific date], my supervisor stated 'I'll find any reason to write you up' when I asked about the hour reduction." The more concrete details you provide, the stronger your case becomes. One last thing - if you had any conversations with coworkers about what was happening, and they're willing to provide statements or testimony, that can be valuable evidence too. Sometimes other employees witnessed the treatment but were afraid to speak up at the time. You're doing the right thing by appealing. The initial denial doesn't mean you don't have a valid case - it just means you need to present your evidence properly. Good luck!

Just want to echo what others have said about the importance of documentation - you're in a much stronger position than you might think! The combination of a 70% hour reduction plus hostile work environment creates a solid constructive discharge case. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: when you write your appeal letter, make sure to explicitly state that you were financially unable to survive on 12 hours per week. Include your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, groceries, etc.) and show how the reduced income made it impossible to meet basic living needs. TWC needs to see that continuing to work wasn't a reasonable option. Also, don't forget to mention in your appeal that you made good faith efforts to address the situation before quitting - those two conversations with your boss about the hour reduction show you tried to resolve things internally first. The fact that you're taking time to prepare thoroughly and gather evidence puts you way ahead of many people who just wing it. You've got this!

I'm really feeling for everyone in this thread who's dealing with the same situation. As someone who's been through multiple industry downturns over the years, I wanted to share a few additional resources that haven't been mentioned yet. First, check if your local United Way chapter has any emergency assistance programs. They often have funds specifically for people transitioning between jobs and can sometimes help with utilities or rent for a month or two. Also, many credit unions offer emergency hardship loans to members at very low interest rates - much better than payday loans if you need to bridge a gap. If you have any college credits at all (even if you never finished a degree), contact the financial aid office at your local community college. Sometimes people who are unemployed qualify for Pell Grants that can cover not just tuition but also living expenses while in job training programs. It's worth exploring even if you think you wouldn't qualify. One more thing: start networking NOW, not just applying online. Reach out to every former coworker, supervisor, or industry contact you have - even if they're in the same boat. Sometimes they know about openings that aren't posted yet, or they've found work in adjacent industries and can make introductions. Don't underestimate the power of that personal connection when everyone's resume looks similar. The uncertainty is brutal, but you're taking the right steps by planning ahead with 4 weeks left rather than waiting until the last minute. That's already putting you ahead of where a lot of people find themselves.

I'm in a very similar situation - oil and gas worker with just a few weeks left on my benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both sobering and incredibly helpful. The reality check that there are no extensions available is disappointing but necessary to hear. What's really striking me is how many resources people have shared that I never knew existed - the 211 helpline, emergency assistance through churches and United Way, community college emergency aid programs, and the Skills Development Fund for retraining. It's overwhelming to think about pursuing all of these, but also reassuring to know there are actual concrete steps I can take. I've been making the same mistake many of you mentioned - holding out hope that something in oil and gas would open up instead of pivoting to other industries. But seeing how people here have successfully transitioned to logistics, manufacturing, and other fields gives me hope that this forced career change might actually lead somewhere better. The mental health aspect is so real. I've been losing sleep over this and feeling pretty isolated until finding this community. Thanks to everyone for being so honest about the challenges while still offering practical solutions. It makes a huge difference to know we're not alone in dealing with this industry downturn and the stress of benefits running out. I'm going to start working through the action items people have shared - SNAP/Medicaid applications, contacting local resources, updating my WorkInTexas profile, and most importantly, expanding my job search beyond oil field services. Four weeks is actually decent preparation time if I use it strategically instead of just panicking.

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress - I know how terrifying it feels when your safety net is about to disappear. I went through the exact same thing about 4 months ago and the panic was overwhelming. Unfortunately, what everyone has said is correct - there are no automatic extensions available in Texas right now like there were during COVID. Those federal programs (PEUC, PUA, etc.) ended years ago, and state Extended Benefits only kick in when unemployment rates reach certain thresholds, which hasn't happened recently. However, I want to echo what others have said about not giving up hope. The Workforce Solutions office really can be a game-changer. When I was in your shoes, I discovered they had a healthcare certification program that included a weekly stipend. It wasn't as much as my UI benefits, but it covered my basic expenses while I got trained in a field that actually had job openings. A couple of things that helped me: 1. I applied for emergency rental assistance through my county's Community Action Agency while waiting for the training program to start 2. I picked up some gig work (Instacart) during my last few weeks of UI, which helped stretch those benefits a little longer 3. The training program I entered had partnerships with local employers who were specifically looking to hire their graduates Your situation with 3 interviews is actually really encouraging - that shows employers are interested in you. Sometimes the hiring process just takes longer than we'd like, especially these days. Keep us posted on how your Workforce appointment goes tomorrow. You're handling this the right way by being proactive and seeking out information. You're going to get through this!

I've been following this entire discussion and I'm so impressed by how supportive and informative this community has been! As someone who recently went through UI exhaustion myself, I can really relate to that overwhelming feeling when you're facing the end of your benefits. I wanted to add one more resource that helped me during my transition: many local credit unions have emergency loan programs specifically for people between jobs. The one I used had a very low interest rate and flexible repayment terms that were much better than payday loans or credit cards. It helped me cover rent for a month while I was getting into a training program. Also, I noticed several people mentioned keeping documentation of job search activities - this is SO important! When I went to my Workforce appointment, having detailed records of every application and interview not only qualified me for priority services but also helped them match me with employers who were specifically looking for someone with my background. @Ethan Moore - you're clearly doing everything right by staying proactive and reaching out for help. That interview momentum you have is really promising, and combined with the Workforce programs, you're setting yourself up for success. The fact that you found this community and asked for help shows exactly the kind of resourcefulness that's going to get you through this transition. Looking forward to hearing how your appointment goes tomorrow - this thread has become such a valuable resource for anyone facing UI exhaustion!