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Has anyone else gotten calls from TWC saying they need to verify your identity AGAIN even though you already did the ID.me thing? I got a weird message yesterday saying they need to confirm my identity because of some new law, but they didn't leave a callback number. When I tried calling the number they called from, it just says "this number is for outbound calls only." Feels super sketchy but maybe it's legit? I'm worried it might be fraud but also don't want to ignore TWC if they really need something from me. Anyone know what's going on with these identity verification calls?
Wait are we talking about the same thing? I got a call saying I had to do ID.me AGAIN even tho I already did it when I first applied. Is this the same as the verification calls? I'm so confused about all these different verification things!!
They're related but different processes. The ID.me verification is the initial identity verification system that uses your photo ID and facial recognition. The calls being discussed here are part of TWC's secondary verification process that happens periodically throughout your benefit period. They don't make you redo the ID.me process, but rather verbally confirm information from your claim. This helps catch cases where someone might have initially passed ID.me but then sold or transferred their claim information to someone else (which unfortunately has happened).
Update for everyone: I just confirmed with my TWC contact that these calls are part of their new Random Identity Verification Program (RIVP) that started in February 2025. If you miss their calls, they'll attempt to reach you three times before placing a hold on your claim. The best approach is to answer unknown numbers while you're receiving benefits. They typically call between 8am-5pm on weekdays. If you're selected for verification and don't complete it, your payments will be paused until you do.
my aunt had her benefits stopped during appeal but my cousin didnt so i think it depends on your claims examiner tbh
This is incorrect. According to TWC rules, benefits continue during the employer appeal process if the claimant was initially found eligible. The only time benefits would stop during an appeal is if the claimant was initially found ineligible, appealed, and is waiting for their appeal decision. Please be careful about sharing potentially misleading information.
Update: I called TWC this morning (took forever to get through) and finally spoke to someone who confirmed my benefits will continue during the appeal process. They also suggested I upload any additional documentation to my online portal before the hearing. Feeling a bit less stressed now, but still nervous about the hearing itself. Thank you all for the helpful advice!
i lost my job back in march and have been on unemployment since. never had to go to an office once. just request payment online every 2 weeks and make sure u do ur work search activities. its pretty easy once u get the hang of it.
Anyone else notice how they always deposit the money on weird days? Like never when you expect it lol. Sometimes its tuesday sometimes thursday... driving me nuts trying to budget!
anyone know if we need to do work searches during holiday week? my payment request falls on july 4th
I checked the TWC website, and there's a way to see if you have any pending issues on your claim. Log into your account, go to the 'Claim and Payment Status' section, then look for 'Claim Status' or 'Issues and Determinations.' If everything shows 'Resolved' or there are no pending issues listed, you should be fine. The recent determination letter should also be visible in your correspondence inbox with the status showing 'Approved.'
tell him to say he had covid or something!! thats what my roommate did when she applied late and they gave her like 6 weeks of backpay lol
Thanks everyone for the advice! I've told him to apply immediately and be honest about why he waited. He's going to try calling TWC tomorrow and explain his situation, then submit his application online. I'll update here if we find out anything that might help others in the same situation.
did they also tell you you need to do the work search activities? I got confused cuz I thought DUA didnt require that but then for regular UI I had to submit 3 job contacts every week? whole system is confusing
Based on all your responses, it sounds like you're doing everything right! You've: 1. Completed ID.me verification 2. Been requesting payments every two weeks 3. Following the work search requirements 4. Found your regular UI claim that's pending At this point, it's just a waiting game. With disaster-related claims, TWC is experiencing high volume, so it might take another week or two for your claim to be processed. Once approved, you'll receive all back payments for the weeks you've been requesting payment. If you need to speak with someone at TWC urgently about your claim status (especially with bills coming due), that Claimyr service mentioned above is probably your best bet for getting through quickly rather than spending hours redialing.
Thank you so much for all the help! I feel so much better now understanding what's happening. I was really panicking thinking I might not get any benefits at all. I'll give the claim another week to process, and if it's still pending, I'll try that Claimyr service to speak with someone. You've all been so helpful!
One important thing to remember - during your fact-finding interview, did the TWC representative give you a chance to respond to ALL of the employer's allegations, including the new ones they added? If not, you should definitely try to contact TWC to provide your response to those additional claims.\n\nThe determination letter you eventually receive will be based on whether TWC believes the separation was due to misconduct connected with the work. Even if one reason for termination was valid but others weren't, it can affect your case. The definition of \
Yes, they did ask me about the other allegations and I denied them completely. The TWC rep seemed understanding when I explained I was hearing these claims for the first time. She asked for specific dates when these incidents supposedly happened, and I told her I couldn't address specifics since this was the first I was hearing of these accusations. Hoping that counts in my favor!
The maximum weekly benefit amount in Texas for 2025 is $655, up from $616 in 2024. But what you actually get depends on your past wages. TWC uses your base period earnings (roughly the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before your claim) to calculate your benefit amount. Everyone's amount is different based on their work history.
Wait wait wait I'm confused about something... do we have to request payment BEFORE being approved? What if we get denied? I'm in a similar situation (fired last week, phone interview scheduled for next Tuesday) and I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing while waiting for the decision??
Yes, you should request payment according to your assigned schedule even before your claim is approved. If you get denied, nothing happens - you just won't receive those payments. But if you're approved and haven't been requesting payments, you could lose those weeks of benefits. Think of payment requests and claim approval as two separate tracks running simultaneously. Also make sure you're documenting your three work search activities each week starting from the date you applied for benefits.
wait are we supposed to be documenting the work searches?? i thought we just had to do them but didnt need to write them down unless they audit you? now im worried
Yes, you absolutely need to be documenting all work search activities! TWC requires you to keep detailed records of at least 3 work search activities per week, including company name, contact information, application method, and position applied for. They can request these records at any time, and if you can't provide them, they can deny benefits or even request repayment of benefits already received.
UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC today! Used that Claimyr service and it worked - got connected to an agent in about 35 minutes. Turns out my former employer didn't respond to TWC's request for information within the timeframe, which caused the delay. The agent pushed my claim through for processing, and said I should see a determination letter within 2-3 business days. She confirmed all my payment requests were properly recorded and I'll receive backpay for all weeks once approved. Such a relief to finally know what was happening!
That's AWESOME!!! So glad you got it resolved! The waiting and uncertainty is the WORST part. Let us know when you actually get paid!
QuantumQuester
Have you tried clearing your browser cache and cookies? Sometimes that's all it takes. Also, if you're using a VPN or public WiFi, try from your home network instead. TWC's security system can lock accounts based on unusual login locations.
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Sofia Morales
•I tried clearing cache already and I'm on my home network. But thanks for the suggestion! Definitely good for others to know.
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Sofia Morales
UPDATE: I got through this morning! Called at exactly 7:00 AM and only had to wait about 15 minutes. The agent was able to unlock my account while I was on the phone. She said they're backed up with form requests right now, and calling is definitely faster if you can get through. My advice to anyone with this problem - call early in the morning! And thanks everyone for your help!
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Dmitry Ivanov
•That's great to hear! For future reference, did they explain why your account was locked in the first place? Sometimes knowing the cause can help prevent it happening again.
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Sofia Morales
•They said it was flagged for "suspicious login activity" - whatever that means! Apparently too many login attempts can trigger it, so maybe I tried my password too many times? Anyway, just glad it's fixed now.
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