With the increase in unemployment insurance claims, Texans have been fighting to get through busy phone lines to sign up.

Juven Villagas is like thousands of other unemployed El Pasoans.

"I've never been unemployed in my life," Villagas said.

Without an income, Villagas called the Texas Workforce Commission to start getting an unemployment check. Villagas called in and was greeted with a long hold for a representative.

"There is nothing more stressful to be unemployed and if you're calling for assistance or trying to get employed and you're having to wait that long, it is just double your stress," Villagas said.

In October 2007 unemployment insurance claims were at 48,000 in Texas. In October 2008 it more than doubled at 110,000, and that means increased calls.

There is some good news, however. The Texas Workforce Commission has installed over 100 new phone lines and hired over 100 new telephone operators shorten wait times for the statewide call centers, but if you are calling, there are suggestions to avoid waiting.

"Call later in the week, later in the day, or best bet would be if you can file your unemployment insurance claim electronically through a computer, do it that way," Lauren Macias-Cervantes, of Workforce Solutions, said.

Some of the new operators were hired in El Paso, and it’s good news for Villagas, one of the 21,000 El Pasoans out of a job. But he also says patience is a virtue.

"Just like any other place, you have to wait your place in line,” he said.