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TWC flagged 'suspected fraud' on out-of-state worker claim - can't reach 512 fraud unit!
Hey everyone, I'm at my wit's end trying to navigate this interstate claim mess. My husband worked for a Texas company for over 4 years but we've always lived in Tennessee. He got laid off on May 3rd and applied for Texas unemployment about a month ago since that's where his employer is based. Initially, things seemed OK - a TWC rep even called to update his info since he has a Tennessee driver's license. But now when we log in, there's a message saying "suspected fraud" and telling us to call the 512 fraud unit. We've left SEVERAL messages over the past week with zero response. His claim is just sitting there with no payments, and we're starting to worry about bills. Has anyone dealt with the interstate claim process or this fraud unit? Any suggestions on how to actually get a human on the line? I'm starting to think we should have filed in Tennessee instead, but the TWC rep specifically told us Texas was correct since that's where the company is based.
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TWC layoff timing question - Can I file before May 1 with termination letter? Going back to school impact?
Super stressed right now... our manufacturing plant is shutting down May 1st (mass layoff after 23 years there). Already got my termination letter in the mail yesterday. Two questions I'm confused about: 1) Should I wait until the actual last day (May 1) to apply for unemployment, or can I apply now since I have the official termination letter? Don't want to mess anything up. 2) I've applied to several jobs but crickets so far. Thinking about going back to school instead since manufacturing jobs are disappearing. Will TWC still give me benefits if I enroll in classes? Or does that automatically disqualify me? Sorry if these are dumb questions. This whole situation has been a horrible rollercoaster and I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before everything falls apart next month.
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ur lucky to get severance! my company gave us nothin when they shut down. just "sorry bye" 🤷♀️
That's because legally they have to provide either 60 days notice OR severance pay for large layoffs under the WARN Act if the company has over 100 employees. Sounds like maybe your company was smaller?
Quick update - I called the TWC office and they confirmed I need to wait until May 1st to file, and I should report my severance payment. They also gave me some info about the training programs that might be available through Workforce Solutions. Thank you all for the advice! This has been really helpful. I'm meeting with a career counselor next week to discuss school options that would qualify under their training program.
That's excellent! Workforce Solutions offices are incredibly helpful for these transitions. They can sometimes even help with funding for training programs beyond what TWC unemployment provides. Make sure to ask about any special grants for displaced workers from long-term employment. After 23 years, you might qualify for additional assistance.
TWC waiting week confusion after federal job termination - when will I get paid?
I'm so confused about my TWC payments after losing my federal job. I was let go on January 3rd, but I had January 2nd off as a paid federal holiday ($240 for that day). When I applied for unemployment on January 3rd, TWC said they couldn't give me payment for the week of January 2nd because of the holiday pay, which makes sense. But they also didn't pay me anything for the following week either - I guess that's my "waiting week"? My TWC account says to request payment on the 29th, but will that just be for ONE week of benefits? I'm trying to budget and figure out when actual money will show up in my account. This system is so frustrating! Has anyone dealt with a similar situation with the waiting week after a federal job?
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To answer your question about logging work searches: Keep detailed records of all work search activities, including the date of contact, company name, position, method of contact (online, in-person, phone), name of person contacted if applicable, and result. You can use the TWC's work search log that's available on their website, or create your own spreadsheet with the same information. Applications through WorkInTexas.com count, as do direct applications through company websites. Just make sure you're doing at least 3 per week and can document them if asked. Other qualifying activities include attending job fairs, networking events, or job skills training.
This is really helpful, thank you! I've started a spreadsheet to track everything. One more question - for the payment request on the 29th, do I need to report work searches at that time, or is that something they might audit later?
When you request payment, you'll be asked if you completed your required work searches for each week you're requesting payment for. You just answer yes or no - you don't enter the actual details at that time. However, TWC can audit you at any point and ask for documentation of your work searches, so that's why keeping detailed records is so important. If audited and you can't provide proof, you could be disqualified and even have to pay back benefits. I recommend keeping your work search records for at least a year after your claim ends.
Got it - thank you so much! This whole process is more complicated than I expected, but I feel much better prepared now.
Can my boyfriend claim TWC benefits after being laid off then having short-term job that didn't work out?
My boyfriend got laid off from his construction job after they lost a major contract back in January. He immediately found a job at another construction company, but after only 3 weeks they let him go because they said he wasn't meeting their expectations (no write-ups or warnings though). He's been looking everywhere but hasn't found anything stable in 6 weeks now.\n\nCan he still file an unemployment claim based on the first job where he got laid off? Or does that short 3-week job mess everything up? I'm trying to help him figure this out because our savings are getting really low and his car payment is due next week. He worked at the first place for over 2 years if that matters.
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One final tip: If TWC schedules a phone interview about the job separation (which is likely with multiple employers), make sure your boyfriend is prepared with specific dates and details:\n\n1. The exact date he was laid off from the first job and the reason given\n2. The start and end dates at the second job\n3. The specific explanation given for why the second job ended\n4. Names and titles of supervisors at both companies if possible\n\nHaving this information readily available makes the interview go much smoother and helps the TWC agent make a quicker determination on the claim. Good luck!
TWC Self-Employment application - where to input my business information?
I'm trying to file for unemployment as a self-employed person and I'm really confused about where I'm supposed to enter my business information. When I go through the application, it keeps asking for employer info like it assumes I worked for someone else. Does the TWC system give me options specifically for entering self-employment details? I ran a small photography business for 3 years before it went under last month, and I need to make sure I'm filling everything out correctly. Has anyone here filed as self-employed recently? What did the screens look like for you?
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anybody know if u can still get benefits if u still do like a little bit of self employment work? i still get like one small job a month but not enough to live on
Yes, you can still receive partial unemployment benefits while doing some self-employment work. You'll need to report any income you earn each time you request payment. TWC will deduct a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit amount. Just be sure to accurately report all income - if you earn over a certain amount (around 25% more than your weekly benefit), you might not receive benefits for that week, but you'll still keep your claim active.
Thank you all for the helpful advice! I just completed my application and found the self-employment option after clicking through a few screens. For anyone else in this situation: there's a specific question that asks if you were self-employed, and after selecting "Yes," it takes you to screens tailored for business owners. I entered my business name, used my home address since that was my business address, and made sure to clearly explain that the business closed due to economic conditions. Now I'm just waiting on the determination letter. I'll update once I hear back!
Will do! I've started keeping track of my work search activities already. Is it still 3 per week for Texas? And do they have to be in the same field as my photography business, or can I apply for different types of jobs?
Yes, Texas still requires 3 work search activities per week. They don't have to be in the same field as your photography business - you can apply for any suitable work that matches your skills and experience. Just be sure to log all activities in your TWC account. Each work search activity should include the employer name, contact information, position applied for, and application date. Save copies of job applications or email confirmations as proof in case TWC requests verification.
Malik Johnson
Quick update: We finally got through! Used Claimyr this morning and got connected to a TWC agent in about 30 minutes. They transferred us to the fraud department, and it turns out the flag was automatically triggered because of the Tennessee address + Texas employer combination. The agent said they need copies of his travel receipts, W-2 forms, and a letter from his employer confirming the travel arrangement. We're gathering everything now and will fax it over today. They said once they receive and verify the documents, the hold should be removed within 3-5 business days. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!
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Omar Fawaz
Great to hear! Make sure you follow up if you don't see the hold removed within a week. Sometimes documents get "lost" in their system and you have to resend them.
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Ravi Sharma
Excellent progress! A few tips for the documentation: 1. Include a cover sheet with his name, claim ID number, and contact information 2. Number each page clearly 3. Keep the fax confirmation receipt 4. Call back in exactly 5 business days if you don't see the hold removed Once the fraud hold is removed, any payments owed should be released relatively quickly. Just make sure he continues requesting payments on his assigned day, even while waiting for the hold to be removed.
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Malik Johnson
AuthorThank you for these tips! We're preparing everything now and will definitely include a cover sheet with all his info. I'm feeling much more hopeful now that we've actually spoken to someone who could explain what's happening.
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