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TWC Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) maximum payment amount lower than expected - anyone else?
I recently applied for Disaster Unemployment Assistance after the flooding damaged our workplace. After submitting all my income verification (1099s, tax returns, etc.), I finally got approved but the weekly benefit amount is WAY less than I was expecting. They only approved me for $327 per week when I was making almost $1100 weekly before the disaster. When I called to ask about it, I just got the runaround about 'maximum benefit amounts' but nobody could tell me what that actually is for DUA in Texas. Has anyone else gone through this recently? What's the actual maximum DUA payment in Texas for 2025? I thought it would be closer to regular unemployment max ($641/week). Any advice on how to get this reviewed or appealed? I've got bills piling up and this amount barely covers my rent.
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Will my regular TWC benefits automatically roll over to DUA when exhausted?
So confused about the Disaster Unemployment Assistance situation in Texas right now. When Hurricane Samuel hit in April, I applied for DUA but somehow got approved for regular unemployment benefits first (I had enough wages on record I guess). I'm getting $427 weekly now but these regular benefits will run out in about 8 weeks. Does anyone know if TWC will automatically switch me to the DUA program after my regular UI is exhausted? Or do I need to submit a whole new application? My house had major flood damage and my workplace is still closed for repairs, so I definitely qualify for the disaster assistance. Just don't want to miss out because of paperwork confusion. The TWC website is super vague and I've called like 30 times but can't get through to a real person. Has anyone been through this specific situation with regular UI rolling into DUA?
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I want to reassure you that if you already applied for DUA within the initial application window after Hurricane Samuel (which was April 15-May 15, 2025), your application should still be in their system. The process should work like this: 1. You exhaust regular UI benefits 2. TWC should automatically review your eligibility for DUA at that point 3. If additional documentation is needed, they'll contact you That said, government bureaucracy being what it is, it's always best to be proactive. About 2-3 weeks before your regular benefits end, contact the DUA specialists directly. Document every call (date, time, representative name, and what they told you). Also, continue to file your payment requests during the transition period so there's no gap in your claim history. This creates a record showing you remained unemployed due to the disaster throughout.
my sister works at twc and she says they never automatically review anything you have to call them and specifically request the transition or it doesnt happen
UPDATE: Finally got through to TWC this morning! For anyone else in this situation, here's what they told me: 1. Since I already applied for DUA within the 30-day window after Hurricane Samuel, my application is still valid 2. When my regular UI exhausts, I need to call them directly to activate the DUA benefits 3. There won't be any automatic transition - I have to initiate it 4. I should call 2 weeks before my regular benefits end 5. I need to bring proof my workplace is still closed due to hurricane damage Thank you everyone for your help! This community is amazing.
Great news! Glad you got a clear answer. Be sure to document everything and follow up exactly as they instructed. The transition between programs can be bumpy, but at least you know the process now.
Company suddenly shut down today - urgent questions about final paycheck and TWC benefits
My husband just came home shell-shocked. His entire company literally shut down without warning today! Everyone showed up to work and couldn't log into their computers. Even his supervisor had NO IDEA this was happening - she was just as blindsided as everyone else. The whole place is in chaos. We have two pressing concerns right now: 1) How will he get his final paycheck? Will it still be direct deposited like normal or should we expect something in the mail? I read Texas law says employers have 6 days to pay final wages, but with the company abruptly closing, I'm worried they might not comply. His supervisor couldn't answer because she's just as confused. 2) He already filed for unemployment benefits this afternoon. What's the typical timeline for TWC to process new claims right now? Also, I've heard unemployment only pays about half of your normal wages - is that accurate? We've never been through this before and I'm trying to figure out how to adjust our budget over the next few months. This situation is incredibly stressful. Any advice from people who've been through similar company shutdowns would be SO appreciated.
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btw after u do the id.me thing make sure u log back into the twc unemployment account again. alot of ppl think there done after id.me but u have to go back and finish the claim on the twc site. also the first payment is always the slowest, after that its usualy pretty quick if u do the payment requests right
TWC application submitted Aug 21 - still no approval decision. Normal wait time?
Hey everyone, I submitted my Texas unemployment application on August 21st (about 2.5 weeks ago) and haven't heard anything back about whether I'm approved or denied. My online account just shows "pending" with no other details. Is this normal? How long did it take for y'all to get a decision? I'm starting to worry because rent is coming up soon and I've got about $230 left in my account. Should I be trying to call them or just keep waiting? Never been through this process before so any insight would be super helpful!
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applied in june took forever got approved then they said i needed to do id.me even tho website never told me that and then my benefits got put on hold for another month while i tried to get it sorted out make sure u check ur correspondence box every day
One additional thing to check: make sure you've registered with WorkInTexas.com. This is a requirement for receiving benefits, and sometimes claims get held up because claimants haven't completed this step. It's separate from your TWC unemployment account.
Oh! I didn't know about this requirement. Going to register right now - thank you for the heads up! Could that be what's holding things up?
It's definitely a possibility. After you register, your claim should move forward within 3-5 business days if that was the only issue. You'll also need to upload your resume there as part of the work search requirements.
TWC system glitch not processing claims or allowing payment requests after January filing
Anyone else experiencing issues with the TWC system today? I submitted my unemployment claim yesterday (January 7th) but nothing's showing as processed or approved in my account. When I tried to request payment, the system says I have to wait until January 15th. What's weirder is that Tele-Serv is showing my last payment as December 19th, but won't let me request a new payment either. I've been trying to get through to TWC all morning but just keep getting the "we're too busy to handle your call" message. I'm starting to worry something's wrong with my claim. Is the system glitching out, or is this normal for January?
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My mother-in-law is having the same issue right now. Filed last week, system keeps showing her last payment from 2020!! TWC definitely has a database problem right now mixing old and new claims. Waiting on hold with them now... going on 1 hour and 22 minutes...
UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC this morning! Called right when they opened at 7am. The rep confirmed there IS a glitch in their system where it's pulling old claim history for new claims filed in January. She fixed it on her end and now my account shows the correct info. My first payment request date IS supposed to be Jan 15th, so that part was correct. She said they're aware of the issue and working on it, but anyone experiencing this should call to have their account manually updated. Thanks everyone for your help!
thx for update!! gonna try calling at 7am tomorrow
Glad you got it sorted out! January and TWC systems... never a good combination.
QuantumQuasar
i got DUA after the 2023 wildfire and had same problem... tried calling for weeks with no luck... finally my state rep's office helped me get through to TWC. try calling your state representative's office, sometimes they have direct lines to TWC case managers. didn't get me more money but at least got an explanation!
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Dmitry Petrov
AuthorThat's a good idea - I hadn't thought of contacting my state rep. At this point I just want a clear explanation of how they calculated my benefit amount and confirmation that I'm getting the maximum I'm eligible for. Thanks for the suggestion!
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StarSurfer
One other thing to consider - you should also look into FEMA's Individual Assistance program if you haven't already. It won't provide ongoing weekly income like DUA, but can help with disaster-related expenses. And definitely check if your county has any local disaster relief funds available. Many communities set up special programs after major disasters that can supplement the federal benefits.
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Dmitry Petrov
AuthorI did register with FEMA right after the disaster but haven't heard anything back yet. I'll follow up with them tomorrow. I'll also check with the county - hadn't thought about local assistance. Thanks for these suggestions, every bit helps while trying to get back on my feet.
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