She lost work to the pandemic. Now she helps thousands of jobless Texans maneuver through the …

Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. On a typical day, Alia Kirschner spends eight to 10 hours hunched over her phone, scrolling through the feed of a Facebook group from her home in Corpus Christi. Sometimes, her boyfriend gets irritated with her. He’ll say things like, “Can you get off your phone, Alia?” But she’s too focused. Her attention is on Texas Unemployment Updates, a private online forum with more than 24,000 members seeking information about navigating the state’s byzantine unemployment aid system in the age of the COVID-19 recession. Kirschner reviews dozens of new posts and member requests every day, offering guidance and tips to thousands of people struggling through a public health crisis and a weak economy. “I’m getting desperate!” one August post reads. “I have bills coming soon and no money. It’s been 7 weeks without any change. I’ve called, requested a call back sent email etc and no luck. Can anyone help!!??” At 35 years old, Kirschner had no experience with the Texas Workforce Commission until her work as a personal shopper slowed down in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.  » Read More