This entire thread should be required reading for anyone filing for TWC benefits! I'm a few months into my unemployment journey and can confirm everything said here. The most stressful part was that first month when I wasn't sure if I was doing everything right. For anyone just starting out, here's my simplified checklist: 1) Request payment every two weeks on YOUR specific day (check the TWC website for the schedule based on your SSN), 2) Complete 3 work search activities every week and document them, 3) Keep calling/trying to get through if you have issues - don't give up, and 4) Set phone/calendar reminders for everything because it's easy to lose track. The system is definitely not user-friendly, but it works once you understand the routine. Also want to echo what others said about Claimyr - I used it twice when I couldn't get through and it was worth every penny to actually talk to a human. Hang in there everyone, you've got this!

As someone who went through this exact same confusion last year, I can't stress enough how important this thread is for new filers! The TWC system really does seem designed to trip people up. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're approved and start receiving benefits, they'll send you a debit card (ReliaCard) for payments rather than direct deposit unless you specifically request it. The card can take 7-10 business days to arrive after your first payment is issued, so don't panic if you see a payment posted but don't receive money immediately. Also, keep ALL your TWC correspondence - approval letters, payment summaries, everything. I had to provide documentation from months earlier when they randomly audited my work search activities. The learning curve is steep but everyone here has given excellent advice. The key really is starting those payment requests immediately and keeping meticulous records of everything!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also currently navigating unemployment benefits and had no clue about the Thursday backup system until reading everyone's experiences here. It's such a relief to know there's a safety net when life gets in the way of regular request days. The practical tips shared - waiting until after 10am to avoid glitches, having work search documentation ready, watching for holidays - are exactly the kind of real-world insights you can't find in official documentation. Charlotte, thanks for asking this question and updating us with your success! I'm definitely setting up those email reminders and bookmarking this thread. This community makes dealing with unemployment systems so much less overwhelming!

This whole conversation has been such a lifesaver to read! I'm currently on unemployment too and honestly had no idea about the Thursday backup system until stumbling across this thread. It's amazing how TWC has this safety net built in but it's not really advertised anywhere obvious. All the practical tips shared here - the timing advice, documentation preparation, holiday considerations - are pure gold. Charlotte, huge thanks for asking the question so many of us needed answered and for coming back with the successful update! It's that kind of real-world confirmation that makes this community invaluable. I'm immediately going to set up those email reminders Admin_Masters mentioned and keep this thread saved. Knowing there's a backup option if something unexpected happens on my regular request day has taken away so much anxiety about the whole process!

I went through this exact situation last summer as a substitute in Dallas! The process was definitely confusing at first, but I successfully received benefits for the entire summer break. Here's what worked for me: **Documentation I gathered before filing:** - All pay stubs from my substitute work - Email communications with the district (including any vague "we hope to use you again" messages) - Record of my typical work schedule/hours - Screenshot of the district's substitute portal showing no guaranteed future assignments **The filing process:** - I filed online the day after my last substitute assignment - Answered "NO" to reasonable assurance since I had no written contract - Was very specific about my employment status: "substitute teacher with no guarantee of future work" **What happened next:** - The district did contest my claim (seems to be standard practice) - I appealed and provided all my documentation - Won the appeal in about 3 weeks - the hearing officer said verbal hopes don't count as reasonable assurance **Pro tip:** Keep detailed records of every day you worked and didn't work. TWC may ask for specific dates and earnings. Also, start your work search activities immediately - I did mine through WorkInTexas.com and it counted toward the 3 weekly requirements. The whole process took about a month to get fully approved, but I received back pay for the waiting period. Definitely worth pursuing if you don't have any written guarantee for next year!

I just went through this process as a substitute teacher in Houston and wanted to share some recent updates that might help. I successfully received unemployment benefits for the full summer break last year (2024). **Key changes I noticed:** TWC has gotten much stricter about the work search requirements. They now verify your applications more frequently, so make sure you're actually applying to jobs you'd accept. I got called twice during my benefit period to confirm details about positions I'd applied for. **What made my case strong:** - I kept a detailed log of every day I was available for substitute work but wasn't called - Saved all text messages and emails from the district's substitute coordinator - Documented that I was told to "check back in August" with no guarantees **Timing tip:** File your claim on Sunday if possible - TWC processes weekend applications first thing Monday morning, which can speed up your initial determination. **Red flag to avoid:** Don't mention anything about "planning to return to substitute teaching" in your application. Focus on the fact that you're currently unemployed with no written guarantee of future work. You can return to subbing later if called, but during summer you need to be genuinely seeking full-time employment. The appeal process has also gotten faster - mine took only 2 weeks instead of the month+ people used to wait. Stay persistent if you get initially denied, especially if your district contests it. Good luck!

I went through this same situation when I moved from Fort Worth to Kansas in 2023! One thing I'll add that saved me a lot of stress - when you file your TWC claim online, make sure to print or save a PDF copy of EVERY page of your application before you submit it. The system sometimes times out during submission and you might lose all your information. I had to start over twice before I figured this out! Also, once you get your claim number from TWC, write it down in multiple places. You'll need it for everything - talking to TWC, registering with Oklahoma, and even when you eventually register with OESC. I kept mine in my phone notes, wrote it on a sticky note on my computer, and emailed it to myself. One last tip - if you have any former coworkers or professional contacts in Oklahoma, let them know you're looking. The job market there might be different from what you're used to in Texas, and having local connections can really help with your work search requirements. Plus, networking activities usually count toward your weekly work search contacts in most states! The whole interstate process seems overwhelming at first, but you'll get through it. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck!

Hey Micah! I actually just went through this exact same situation last month when I moved from Dallas to Arizona and got laid off from my remote job. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - definitely file with TWC since that's where you earned your wages. One thing I wish someone had told me upfront: the TWC website has a specific interstate claims FAQ section that's really helpful once you know where to find it. It's buried in their help section, but it walks you through the exact steps for your situation. Also, when you do your initial phone interview with TWC (which they'll schedule after you file online), make sure to mention your move right away. The interviewer can flag your claim properly and explain the next steps for registering with Oklahoma. I'd also recommend starting your job search in Oklahoma immediately, even before you're officially registered with OESC. The work search requirements kick in from week one of your claim, and Oklahoma tends to be pretty strict about documentation. Better to have too many job search activities recorded than not enough! One last thing - keep your expectations realistic about processing times. My interstate claim took about 5 weeks total to get the first payment, but once it was set up, everything ran smoothly. The waiting is stressful but totally normal for interstate claims. You've got this!

Just wanted to update everyone - my payment request from Sunday evening did process overnight Monday and showed up in my account Tuesday morning around 6am! Got the direct deposit today (Wednesday) so everything worked out perfectly for rent. Thanks to everyone who helped ease my nerves, especially those who broke down the exact timeline. This community is so helpful for navigating all the TWC quirks!

Wait, I'm confused - the original post was from Mohammad Khaled asking about his Sunday payment request, but then Yuki Yamamoto posted an update saying "my payment request from Sunday evening did process"? Are these two different people or did someone mix up accounts? Just want to make sure I'm following the thread correctly since the update seems to be from a different member than the original poster.