Help: need to find unemployed worker/someone on or going on unemployment benefits

cgrisales's picture
Submitted by cgrisales on Mon, Jan 12 2009 - 4:22 PM

Hello,

I am a business reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. I'm looking to interview someone who is currently out of work and looking, especially anyone dealing with unemployment benefits. We're hearing the phone lines at the Texas Workforce Commission are jammed with calls. If you are familiar with this, or know someone who is, please email me at cgrisales@statesman.com or call me at 512-912-5933.

Thanks,

Claudia Grisales

Comments

Babylonfive's picture

I had no trouble with the

Submitted by Babylonfive on Mon, Jan 12 2009 - 8:07 PM.

I had no trouble with the on-line resources, and when I had a question I was able to dial-in to the TWC phone lines easily.

David W. Smith
Previously a Senior Member of Technical Staff @ AMD

softwarejanitor's picture

I haven't heard about phone

Submitted by softwarejanitor on Mon, Jan 12 2009 - 8:14 PM.

I haven't heard about phone backlogs at TWC lately either, although I wouldn't be surprised if their call volume may be a little higher than normal with all the layoffs recently. In the past from what I've heard there have been big surges on individual days, particularly Fridays and around the change of month as you'd expect. I do know they had really high call volumes in the weeks right after hurricane Ike, but that is to be expected. Applications for food stamps and other aid was also extremely high at that time.

Patricia Perry's picture

I recently moved to Texas

Submitted by Patricia Perry on Mon, Jan 19 2009 - 11:48 AM.

I recently moved to Texas from California, and I am currently on unemployment in the State of CA. I friend of mine was on Texas Unemployment until 2 weeks ago. I learned that Texas has a better system for reporting weekly claims. CA is not automated at all. We still have to fill out our form, mail it via USPS and wait 10+ days for the check. The only real advantage I have is that my weekly benefits are higher than Texas weekly benefits.

Regards,
Patricia Perry

eleanor's picture

I also have had no problems

Submitted by eleanor on Mon, Jan 19 2009 - 3:04 PM.

I also have had no problems with delays at Texas Unemployment. However, I did everything on line (like the majority of the members of this group probably did). I did not have to use the phone and talk to a person.

- Eleanor Coy
Freescale ex