Texas Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
Can't reach Texas Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the TWC
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the TWC drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
ID.me temporary paper license rejection blocking TWC benefits despite being 'approved'
Absolutely at my wits end with this ID.me verification nightmare! My husband got approved for unemployment benefits over 5 weeks ago, but we can't access a dime because of this ridiculous ID.me hurdle. His license expired and he went to renew it this Monday - they took his physical ID card and gave him the temporary paper license (standard TX procedure). Now ID.me is rejecting his verification even though THEIR OWN WEBSITE says temporary paper licenses are acceptable! He uploaded that plus a photo of his old license he took before surrendering it. Nothing works.\n\nHe's called TWC 38 times in 3 days and can never get through. The automated system just says "high call volume" and disconnects. He's sent 4 emails to ID.me support with zero response. Our rent is due next week and we're completely stuck. Has anyone dealt with this temporary license issue with ID.me? Some YouTube video suggested DMing the CEO of ID.me on Twitter as a last resort - has anyone actually gotten help that way? This is absolutely insane that a third-party verification service can block legitimate benefits that have already been approved! 😡
Join the conversation
TWC claim denied - employer changed termination reason after EQIP background check failure
I'm in a weird situation with my TWC claim. I worked at a government contractor for about 8 months when I was terminated specifically for not passing an EQIP background check (some old credit issues from 2022). My manager literally told me 'we have to let you go because your background check didn't clear.' But when I filed for unemployment last week, I checked my determination letter and noticed my former employer told TWC I was fired for 'poor performance' which is completely false! I have emails and texts proving the real reason was the background check. Is it legal for them to change the termination reason like this? Has anyone dealt with something similar? I think they're trying to avoid paying unemployment by making it sound like misconduct.
Join the conversation
I had the exact same thing happen only it was a different type of check that i failed. company told me that was why but then told TWC i was habitually late. totally false! what i learned in my appeal is that u need to focus on proving what they told u directly not why u failed the check. the twc judge person asked me specifically what my manager said the day i was fired. word for word. my manager didnt show up to the hearing and i won by default
That's interesting! I'll definitely focus on what my manager specifically said when terminating me. I have pretty clear documentation with timestamps that should help. Did your former employer have to pay back the benefits after you won?
To answer your question about employer payments - employers don't directly pay back benefits to TWC after losing an appeal. They pay unemployment taxes, and their tax rate can increase based on benefits charged to their account. This is likely why some employers contest claims or misrepresent termination reasons. For your appeal, focus on these key points: 1. You were meeting performance standards (bring performance reviews if available) 2. The EQIP check was beyond your control 3. Your termination was solely due to the background check, not performance 4. You have documentation proving the real reason Remember to maintain a professional tone during the hearing, even if your former employer makes false statements.
Thank you for the detailed explanation! This clears up a lot of my confusion about how the process works. I actually do have my last performance review from 2 months before termination where I received a 'meets expectations' rating. I'll definitely bring that to the hearing as well.
Contacted Senator Cruz about DUA payment denials - how long for response?
I'm at my wit's end with my Disaster Unemployment Assistance claim. After Hurricane Delores hit Corpus Christi last month, I lost my landscaping job when the business was completely flooded out. I've applied for DUA and been denied TWICE even though I've sent in all my 2024 tax documents, proof of employment, and even photos of the destroyed business property. The TWC online portal just keeps showing 'disqualified' with no explanation. Out of desperation, I emailed Senator Cruz's office last Friday with all my documentation and an explanation of my situation. Has anyone here ever reached out to their senator about TWC issues? How long did it take to get a response? Did it actually help resolve your claim? I'm down to my last $425 and getting really worried about making rent next month.
Join the conversation
is anybody else frustrated that we even NEED to contact our senators just to get basic unemployment benefits????!! the system is completely broken!!
YES! It's absurd that we have to escalate to this level just to get someone to look at our claims. I understand they're busy after the hurricane but there should be a better system in place.
welcome to texas lol
Just to follow up - I checked the TWC website and they posted an update about Hurricane Delores DUA claims yesterday. They acknowledged a "processing delay" affecting certain ZIP codes in the Corpus Christi area and said they're expediting reviews. You might be caught in this backlog. Did you receive a specific denial reason in your determination letter? If it mentions "insufficient documentation" that's usually fixable by submitting the correct paperwork through the appeal process. If it says "not affected by disaster" that's a different issue that might need the senator's help to resolve.
Just checked my determination letter again and it says "insufficient proof of employment at time of disaster." But I literally sent them my April 2025 paystubs! So frustrating. But at least I know what to focus on in my appeal now. Thank you for pointing me to that specific wording.
TWC denied my benefits for one pay period - permanent or temporary?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with my unemployment benefits. They just denied me for a specific pay period, and I'm not sure if this is a permanent decision or what. Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm trying to figure out if I should appeal or if there's something else I can do. Any advice would be really appreciated!
Join the conversation
Hey, quick question - did you have any changes in your work situation during that pay period? Sometimes even a small shift can trigger a denial.
Now that you mention it, I did pick up a small gig for like 2 days. I reported it, but maybe that's what caused it?
Yep, that could definitely be it! Make sure you have all the details about that gig when you call them. Good luck!
Locked out of TWC account, can't reach anyone for unemployment claim. Help!
I'm at my wits end trying to file for unemployment. I've tried resetting my login multiple times but still can't get into my account. Every time I call TWC for help, I can't get through to anyone. I'm really worried about losing my home and not being able to feed my family if I don't get this sorted out soon. Has anyone else had this problem or know how to actually talk to a real person there?
Join the conversation
Has anyone had any luck contacting their state representative about TWC issues? I've heard sometimes they can help push things through.
I tried this! My rep's office was actually pretty helpful. They couldn't fix everything, but they did get TWC to call me back within a week.
Which rep did you contact? I'm in Austin and could use some help.
Guys, I know it's frustrating, but please remember the TWC staff are probably overwhelmed too. My cousin works there and says they're understaffed and dealing with way more claims than usual. Doesn't excuse the bad service, but maybe explains it a bit.
Nice try, TWC PR team 🙄
Lol I wish. Just trying to add some perspective. Trust me, I'm just as annoyed with them as everyone else.
Andre Moreau
I had almost the identical situation happen with my paper license back in January, and I can confirm that DMing the CEO on Twitter actually worked for me! I know it sounds crazy, but after six weeks of getting nowhere, I sent him a DM explaining my situation, and his assistant contacted me within hours. Had my identity verified the next day. Worth trying alongside these other excellent suggestions. And definitely use the Claimyr service mentioned above - it's the only reliable way to actually reach a TWC representative these days.
0 coins
Nia Harris
That's amazing! I would never have believed contacting a CEO would work. My husband just sent a DM about 30 minutes ago. I'll update if we hear anything. And yes, we're definitely using Claimyr tomorrow morning. At this point we just need someone - anyone - at TWC to help break this logjam.
0 coins