Navigating Texas Benefits

[Slache]

We have never applied for benefits before. In the past month we have applied for unemployment, Medicaid for me and food stamps. In the past week we have found out that:

1. We do not qualify for unemployment because they think my husband works for a company called "Let It Be Us Inspections" and this company will not submit his paperwork because they don't exist. He is self employed which is what he filled out in his application.

2. I do not qualify for Medicaid because I did not submit my proof of income. I have no income.

3. We do not qualify for food stamps because I failed the phone interview. They never called.

 

We have been trying for days to get help over the phone but have never been able to speak to a human being. What are we supposed to do?

 

[Slache]

We are so far from the only ones with this problem. The internet is filled with people in this exact situation, I'm just beginning to stress.

[sweet2ndchance]

I've found that when you have trouble with benefits like that, it is best to go to the county DHS office and speak to someone in person. Be ready to sit and wait if they are even allowing people in person help. Is there a name or phone number for the person that processed your case on the paper work? I would call or if they have an email on there email would be even better. Email leaves a paper trail with dates that you can show when you sent the email to whomever you sent it to and any responses or lack thereof that you got. If you are able to go in person and talk to someone, take notes of what was said, get names and write down the time you talked to them on the notes. Any paperwork you give them, ask for a date stamped copy for your records that proves you turned it in.

I'm sorry you are having a hard time with getting benefits. I know how stressful it is when you know that you absolutely qualify but things get all turned around and you have to fight for it. Been there. Done that. HUGS

[Slache]

14 minutes ago, sweet2ndchance said:

I've found that when you have trouble with benefits like that, it is best to go to the county DHS office and speak to someone in person. Be ready to sit and wait if they are even allowing people in person help. Is there a name or phone number for the person that processed your case on the paper work? I would call or if they have an email on there email would be even better. Email leaves a paper trail with dates that you can show when you sent the email to whomever you sent it to and any responses or lack thereof that you got. If you are able to go in person and talk to someone, take notes of what was said, get names and write down the time you talked to them on the notes. Any paperwork you give them, ask for a date stamped copy for your records that proves you turned it in.

I'm sorry you are having a hard time with getting benefits. I know how stressful it is when you know that you absolutely qualify but things get all turned around and you have to fight for it. Been there. Done that. HUGS

No in person, no email. That's kind of what I'm hoping to get here, some kind of contact info or something.

Thanks for the hugs.

[Bootsie]

I am sorry that you are having these problems.  I know that the Texas Unemployment Agency has been overwhelmed.  DS has tried a number of times over the past few weeks online and has not been able to; he has had former coworkers waiting on hold for hours.  Not that it helps your situation at all, but they received 3,000,000 calls in one 24 hour period--that is 125,000 calls per hour, or more than 2000 per minute!    Normally they would receive about 13,000 calls per day and the previous record was 60,000 in one day.  Unfortunately, last I heard Texas had not worked out all of the details of how the federal benefits to help those who are self-employed would be worked out in its system. 

[Slache]

2 minutes ago, Bootsie said:

I am sorry that you are having these problems.  I know that the Texas Unemployment Agency has been overwhelmed.  DS has tried a number of times over the past few weeks online and has not been able to; he has had former coworkers waiting on hold for hours.  Not that it helps your situation at all, but they received 3,000,000 calls in one 24 hour period--that is 125,000 calls per hour, or more than 2000 per minute!    Normally they would receive about 13,000 calls per day and the previous record was 60,000 in one day.  Unfortunately, last I heard Texas had not worked out all of the details of how the federal benefits to help those who are self-employed would be worked out in its system. 

I know. This is the problem. And it's no one's fault. I just want my problem fixed because I'm selfish.

[Bootsie]

https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/self-employed-texans-and-cares-act

Have you seen this part of the website?  It seems to indicate that self-employed individuals will initially show that they are denied regular unemployment benefits, but then will be automatically enrolled in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  If you haven't tried it yet, there is a "virtual assistance chat" on that page that might be useful.   

[Slache]

1 minute ago, Bootsie said:

https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/self-employed-texans-and-cares-act

Have you seen this part of the website?  It seems to indicate that self-employed individuals will initially show that they are denied regular unemployment benefits, but then will be automatically enrolled in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  If you haven't tried it yet, there is a "virtual assistance chat" on that page that might be useful.   

But they say that he works for a company that doesn't exist. It's a huge mess.

[itsheresomewhere]

Not in your state but this has been an issue in mine.  Someone I know well has been trying to figure this out since March 11.  When she does get someone on the phone, they don’t know what to do.   It is a huge mess.