CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Coastal Bend woman is helping thousands of unemployed Texans navigate through the state's unemployment system.
Alia Kirschner was like millions of Americans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
She's self-employed but due to the pandemic, her business wasn't doing well, forcing her to file for unemployment. Her problem came when she had no clue how to navigate through the state's unemployment process.
"Which sounds like a lot at the time, but most everyone was clueless trying to figure out you know how to get from point A to point B,” said Kirschner, who is the administrator of the Texas Unemployment Updates Facebook page.
She began doing some research and through a friend found a Facebook group called, Texas Unemployment Updates.
"In that case it’s more just like moral support in that we are all in the same boat together,” she said.
Going through the unemployment process can be overwhelming and the information shared in the group could help 90% of people's issues, Kirschner said.
Here's how it works. Once you are approved to join the group, you can ask questions about the unemployment process or share information you've learned in order to help others.
Isaiah Herrero is a member of the group who says the page is extremely helpful.
"It was more than just unemployment group," Herrero said. "It was more like everyone coming together ... like yeah, we all need help and everything and here's this link if you need a job, this link if you need bill assistance, you know free food."
Herrero was unemployed for about four months and said he found his current job through the group.
"And especially with other members in the same situations as you, you are going to get the help that you need,” he said.
One important thing Kirschner wants people to know is that you must stay on top of your unemployment claim.
To join the Facebook group click here.
