Many of the hundreds of thousands of Texans who have been laid off or furloughed because of the novel coronavirus pandemic suddenly now find themselves engaged in a new full-time occupation: working from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., trying to get through to the Texas Workforce Commission to file for unemployment benefits.

An agency that once handled an average of 13,000 calls a day got 1.7 million in a 24-hour period last week, most of them repeat efforts just to get through to even begin the process. The online site also has been overwhelmed as the office is upgrading and adjusting its system to deal with changes made by Congress in the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

The $2 trillion CARES Act is much-needed good news for displaced workers, providing an additional $600 per week above what the state previously provided and extending the benefit for 13 weeks. Self-employed and gig workers who previously did not qualify for the benefits will be eligible beginning April 12.

But it only works if the states are able to get cash into the hands of the unemployed quickly enough for them to pay for groceries, rent, utilities and other essentials while they try to survive what could be the worst economic shutdown since the Great Depression.

More Information The Texas Workforce Commission is asking applicants to stagger their calls to 800-939-6631 and access to the website portal based on the applicant’s area code. Mon-Wed-Fri 8 a.m.-Noon — Area codes beginning with 9 Mon-Wed-Fri 1 p.m.-5 p.m. — Area codes beginning with 3,4,5,6 Tues-Thurs-Sat 8 a.m.-Noon — Area codes beginning with 7,8 Tues-Thurs-Sat 1 p.m.-5 p.m. — Area codes beginning with 2 The call center hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Texas faces a big challenge but it is making the right moves.

“We know how important it is to get this help to people. These are our friends and neighbors,” TWC spokesman Cisco Gamez told the editorial board Tuesday. “We have added over 450 people to our staff, including 100 people to our call centers. We have added two new call centers and will be adding a third one soon.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that members of the Texas Senate - Democrat and Republican - are volunteering staffers to help the commission in answering calls, a great example of bipartisan cooperation on an important issue.

Gamez said unemployed applicants are more likely to get through online than by phone and that his best advice is to keep trying as the commission expands operations. We tried the number for good measure, and he’s right: It’s frustrating. For now, all you get when you dial 800-939-6631 is a busy signal.

Texas isn’t alone in struggling with a tidal wave of applications. Every state in the nation is reporting longer wait times and delays.

But as the second largest state by population, home to thousands of small businesses that have been forced to close as well as large energy-sector, airline and manufacturing companies that are already being forced to shed hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, Texas officials must continue the drive to beef up staff and streamline operations as quickly as possible.

In addition to providing crucial aid to those in need, unemployment benefits are one of the most effective forms of economic stimulus. Jobless workers tend to immediately spend the payments they receive. By comparison, many of those who get $1,200 CARES Act checks later this year, especially if they are still drawing a paycheck, are likely to put it in a savings account until things get better.

Money circulating through a depressed economy will help kick-start things when the pandemic is subdued.

Unemployment benefits are generally calculated to make up for about half of your lost pay with a cap set by the states. In Texas, benefits range from $69 per week to a maximum of $521 per week, with an average of $246. The CARES Act adds $600 per week across the board and extends the state’s 26-week limit to 39 weeks.

It usually takes 21 days from the time a claim is approved until the money is delivered through direct deposit or check, according to the TWC. Gamez said he is not aware of any changes to that timetable and pointed out that the state now backdates the payments to when a worker became unemployed instead of the time the claim was approved.

He urged those who had previously applied but did not qualify to try again as they may now be eligible under loosened restrictions.

The state wisely suspended the requirement that unemployed workers register with the state jobs site and show they are actively applying for new jobs. And Gov. Greg Abbott has requested an interest-free federal loan to make sure the program remains funded.

The only thing that remains is for the state to continue working to get the money out to those who need it. And fast.