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Resources, tips and tools to build a stronger Texas workforce.
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Workforce Solutions Offices
Your Workforce Solutions office can help with job search and training opportunities.
We are committed to helping you succeed. Your Workforce Solutions offices offer a variety of services at no cost, such as:
- Job search help
- Current information about your local labor market
- Job fairs
- Seminars to help you maximize your job search efforts, create an effective résumé and hone your job interview skills
- Information on job training programs
- Information on transportation or child care assistance
- Use of computers and fax machines
2-1-1 Texas
You can get information online or by phone about assistance from both government and private agencies by visiting 211Texas or dialing 2-1-1.
Contact 2-1-1 for help with:
- Utilities
- Rent
- Food
- Transportation
- Child care
- Child support
- Finding work
- Education or training
- Other benefits
Mortgage Assistance
If you need help paying your mortgage, the following programs may help you remain in your home and avoid foreclosure.
The Making Home Affordable (MHA) program offers temporary assistance for eligible unemployed homeowners during the search for re-employment. Visit the program web site, www.makinghomeaffordable.gov, for more information including eligibility requirements.
The Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 888-995-HOPE (4673) is a free service that provides counseling on assistance and housing that helps homeowners find the information needed for a mortgage relief solution. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in over 160 languages.
Some mortgage loans may qualify for restructuring and refinancing into Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans under certain circumstances. Find more information at www.fha-refinance-program.com.
The Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) provides aid for homeowners in states hit hardest by the economic and housing downturn. The following housing finance agencies administer HHF funds: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington, DC. Find more information at http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/TARP-Programs/housing/hhf/Pages/default.aspx.
Health Insurance & Employee Benefit Plans
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, provides assistance with pension, health and other employee benefit plans after job loss. You can find more information at Employee Benefits Security Administration or call 866-444-3272.
The Texas Department of Insurance offers information that can help you find health insurance coverage. Find more information at Texas Health Options or call 855-839-2427. Find specific information for unemployed individuals at Health Insurance for the Unemployed.
Tax Preparation Assistance
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income individuals who need help completing their tax returns. Certified volunteers help prepare basic tax returns. VITA programs are located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations. To find the nearest VITA site, call 800-906-9887.
The IRS also offers Free File, a service to help all taxpayers prepare and file their return. Free File is available in English and Spanish. To learn more, visit www.freefile.IRS.gov.
Information about taxes due, allowable job-search expenses and other federal tax assistance is available on YouTube (IRSVideos). Find more information on IRS assistance at IRS.gov.
Resources for Older Workers
BenefitsCheckup.org offers referrals on a wide variety of services for older workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor put together a list of employment Web sites for workers over age 50. You may want to add these sites to those you regularly check for job leads:
Possibility for Additional Benefits
If you received all of the regular benefits and Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) that you qualified to receive, then no further benefits are available to you. TWC notifies you by mail when you are eligible for additional payments. For current information, see Extended Unemployment Benefits in Texas.