Texas Unemployment
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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 :)
Do I need to report Social Security benefits to TWC when requesting payment?
I started getting Social Security retirement benefits last month, and I'm still collecting Texas unemployment. When I do my payment request every two weeks, I'm confused about whether I need to report my Social Security as income? The TWC website asks about any "work or earnings" but Social Security isn't from working. Has anyone dealt with this? I don't want to accidentally commit fraud, but I also don't want to lose my unemployment if I don't have to. Thanks for any advice!
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TWC locked me out after wrong password attempts - is visiting office worth it?
So I made the stupidest mistake 3 weeks ago - tried logging into my TWC account without my glasses (I'm practically blind without them). Hit the wrong password like 5 times in a row and got completely locked out. Called the lockout assistance number they provide about 30 times now and it's ALWAYS a busy signal or just disconnects. I've submitted 3 online help tickets through the general portal and sent 2 emails to the address on their contact page. Radio silence. Absolutely nothing. My payment request is due in 2 days and I'm panicking because I can't access anything! Has anyone dealt with this password lockout nightmare? Is it actually worth driving 45 minutes to my local workforce office? Can they even reset account access issues or will they just tell me to "call the number" that nobody answers? I'm at my wit's end here!
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I just wanted to update everyone! I went to the TWC office this morning with all my documents as suggested. There was about an hour wait, but the staff member was able to verify my identity and unlock my account on the spot! She said they've been overwhelmed with these lockout issues since they implemented stricter security measures in January. For anyone facing the same problem - YES, definitely go to the office! Just make sure it's a main Workforce Solutions center, not a satellite location. Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out!
Great news! Glad you got it resolved in time for your payment request. This is why in-person visits are still so important for these systems.
Lucky you! My local office was totally useless. Guess it really depends on which one you go to and who you talk to. The whole system is still broken!
As someone who's been through this exact situation twice, I can confirm that visiting the office is absolutely worth it! I had the same lockout issue about 6 months ago and the phone support was completely useless. Drove to my local Workforce Solutions office and they had me unlocked within 15 minutes after verifying my identity. The key is to bring your driver's license, Social Security card, and any TWC correspondence you have. Also, try to go early in the morning right when they open - the wait times are much shorter then. Don't waste any more time with that phone number, just go in person before your payment deadline!
TWC unemployment eligibility after 4-week severance package - Can my employer block my claim?
My company just announced layoffs and they're offering a 4-week severance package. The HR manager told us during the meeting that if we accept the severance, they would 'fight' any unemployment claims and said we basically have to choose between severance or unemployment. This seems really unfair since it's a legitimate layoff situation. Has anyone dealt with this before? Can they actually prevent me from getting TWC benefits after my severance period ends? I'm worried about signing away my rights if I take the severance but 4 weeks of pay isn't enough to get by until I find something new.
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Thanks everyone for the great advice! I'm going to: 1. Take the severance 2. Make sure my separation paperwork says "laid off" or "position eliminated" (not voluntary resignation) 3. Apply for unemployment right away but understand benefits won't start until after severance ends 4. Start job searching immediately I'll update once I get the paperwork and after I file my claim with TWC. Wish me luck!
Good plan! Don't forget to keep detailed records of your job search activities, as TWC requires a minimum of 3 per week. Also, when you file your claim and request payment, report your severance accurately - being transparent from the start prevents potential overpayment issues later.
Just wanted to add - keep all your documentation from this process! Save copies of your layoff notice, severance agreement, and any communications with HR. If your employer does try to challenge your unemployment claim later, having this paperwork will be crucial evidence that you were legitimately laid off. Also, don't be surprised if TWC asks for additional documentation during the application process - they sometimes request separation letters or other proof of the reason for your job loss.
TWC Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) application status - waiting since July with no updates
I submitted my Disaster Unemployment Assistance application on July 11th after my workplace was damaged in the storm. It's been over 3 weeks and I haven't heard ANYTHING back from TWC. My payment request date is coming up next week according to my account, but my claim still shows 'pending' with no determination letter or approval. Should I go ahead and request payment even though I haven't been approved yet? Anyone else waiting on DUA approval or gotten any updates? I'm starting to worry they lost my application or something went wrong.
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my DUA just got approved yesterday!!!! applied July 8, so almost 4 weeks. hang in there!
That's encouraging! Did you get any notification or did you just check your account and see it was approved?
i got a determination letter in my twc correspondence inbox and then 2 days later the money hit my account for all the back weeks! def keep checking ur correspondence tab daily
I'm in a similar situation - applied for DUA on July 15th and still waiting with no updates. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful! I had no idea I should still be requesting payments while pending. I've been afraid to request anything without approval. Going to log in right now and submit my payment request that's due this week. Also going to check that correspondence section someone mentioned to see if there's anything I missed. It's frustrating but sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty normal for DUA processing right now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
TWC says I quit but I was laid off - employer dispute holding up benefits for 4 weeks
I'm in a frustrating situation with TWC and could really use some advice from people who've dealt with this before. My company downsized and I was laid off on November 8th. I received a call from our department manager telling me my position was eliminated, followed by an email asking me to return company equipment. I filed my unemployment claim on November 15th, thinking it would be straightforward since I was laid off. But now my claim is stuck because my ex-employer told TWC that I QUIT! This is completely false. I have the name of the person who called me about the layoff AND the follow-up email asking for equipment return. It's been 4 weeks since I filed, and I'm getting really worried about bills piling up. Has anyone dealt with an employer disputing your unemployment claim like this? How long do these disputed claims usually take to resolve? This is my first time filing for unemployment in Texas and I'm completely stressed out about it. Does TWC typically side with the employer in these situations?
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Final update: I had my fact-finding interview yesterday and it went well! The TWC representative was very thorough but fair. My documentation showing I was laid off (especially that equipment return email) seemed to really help my case. The rep said I should receive a determination letter within 7-10 days. For anyone else going through this - definitely upload your documentation before the interview and be prepared with exact dates. And thanks again to everyone who advised me to keep requesting payments during this waiting period. I'm really hoping to see some back payments soon assuming they rule in my favor!
This is great news! Based on what you've shared, I think you have a good chance of a favorable determination. The equipment return email is particularly compelling evidence that contradicts the employer's claim that you quit. Please let us know when you receive your determination letter!
That's awesome news about your interview going well! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where my employer is claiming I abandoned my job when I was actually terminated. Reading through your experience has been really helpful - especially the tip about uploading documentation beforehand. I've been waiting 3 weeks for my fact-finding interview to be scheduled. Did you get any sense of how backlogged they are right now? I'm getting anxious about how long this whole process might take.
Diego Fisher
Does anyone know if this same rule applies to my pension from my old job? I get unemployment and a small pension payment every month. Been reporting the pension but maybe I don't need to?
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Faith Kingston
Pensions can be different from Social Security. If your pension is from an employer that's part of your base period for unemployment, TWC might reduce your benefits. But again, this usually happens at the claim setup, not during payment requests. The biweekly payment request is primarily concerned with new work and earnings during that specific period.
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Malik Thompson
I went through this same situation last year! You do NOT need to report Social Security retirement benefits during your biweekly payment requests. The system is specifically asking about work income and earnings, not unearned income like retirement benefits. I called TWC directly to confirm this when I started receiving my Social Security, and they told me clearly that retirement benefits don't need to be reported during payment requests. However, since you started receiving Social Security AFTER your unemployment claim was established, you should notify TWC through your correspondence inbox on the UI portal. They may need to recalculate your weekly benefit amount going forward, but this is separate from your biweekly payment reporting. Don't stress about accidentally committing fraud - you're asking the right questions! Just keep doing your work searches and only report actual work income during your payment requests.
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