Just wanted to chip in - I had the same issue last month where I got approved but then couldn't request payment without talking to someone. I couldn't get through on the phone for DAYS! I ended up driving to my local Workforce Solutions office (not TWC directly) and although they couldn't fix my issue on the spot, they did have a direct line to TWC and were able to schedule a callback for me. Got a call the next day and fixed everything. Might be worth a try if there's an office near you!

Just following up - were you able to get your issue resolved? I'm curious what ended up being the problem that required you to speak with someone.

TWC is actually pretty clear about all of this stuff if you read their materials. The handbook specifically says you MUST request payment every two weeks even if you're receiving severance. I don't mean to sound harsh, but they do provide all this information upfront. When you apply, there's even a certification where you agree that you understand the payment request requirements.

To follow up on my earlier comment - I'd recommend you also: 1. Contact your state representative's office. They often have staff who can help with TWC issues and sometimes get faster responses. 2. Submit a formal appeal as soon as you receive the official denial letter. Don't wait - you only have 14 calendar days. 3. In your appeal letter, be very specific about the date you called TWC, what you were told, and how you understood it. Explain that you were experiencing anxiety that affected your comprehension. 4. Request a phone hearing rather than just a document review. 5. Continue requesting payments every two weeks while your appeal is pending. Finally, if you're still struggling financially, check with local community organizations that might offer emergency assistance while you sort this out. Many counties have short-term help programs for families in crisis.

Quick update: We finally got through! Used Claimyr this morning and got connected to a TWC agent in about 30 minutes. They transferred us to the fraud department, and it turns out the flag was automatically triggered because of the Tennessee address + Texas employer combination. The agent said they need copies of his travel receipts, W-2 forms, and a letter from his employer confirming the travel arrangement. We're gathering everything now and will fax it over today. They said once they receive and verify the documents, the hold should be removed within 3-5 business days. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Excellent progress! A few tips for the documentation: 1. Include a cover sheet with his name, claim ID number, and contact information 2. Number each page clearly 3. Keep the fax confirmation receipt 4. Call back in exactly 5 business days if you don't see the hold removed Once the fraud hold is removed, any payments owed should be released relatively quickly. Just make sure he continues requesting payments on his assigned day, even while waiting for the hold to be removed.

make sure ur checking ur correspondence inbox on the twc website like everyday cuz sometimes they send u questions with deadlines and if u miss them it can delay everything

One more important thing to add: when calculating your benefit amount, TWC will look at your base period which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Since you're applying in January 2025, your base period would be October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. That should include most of your previous full-time job, which is good news for your potential benefit amount. Also, prepare for your first payment to take 2-3 weeks after you apply, so try to set aside enough for at least one month of essential expenses if possible.

I had something kinda similar happen with my wife's benefits last fall except hers was from a job that didn't report her wages right and TWC thought she was working when she wasn't so they said she got like $2340 in overpayment but we appealed it and while we were waiting for the appeal they still took her whole check! We had to borrow money from my parents just to pay bills it was awful.

Just to add some useful information: If you're facing financial hardship due to overpayment recovery, request Form TWC-70, "Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery." While full waivers are rare for regular UI, they may approve a reduced recovery percentage based on your financial situation. Also, make sure you're requesting payment through direct deposit rather than the TWC debit card, as that can sometimes delay your first payment when there's an overpayment situation. You'll need to certify for your payment requests on your scheduled day, even if you know they'll be applying some or all of it to your overpayment.

wait dont u have any family that can help with the kids? seems like thats an easier solution than quitting a job u just started

One more important thing to mention: when you file your TWC claim, be sure to select the correct reason for separation. Don't choose "quit" without explanation. You'll want to select something like "quit due to substantial change in work conditions" or similar option. In the detailed explanation section, clearly state this was a material change to your hiring agreement. Also, be prepared for your employer to potentially contest your claim - some companies automatically fight all unemployment claims regardless of circumstances. That's why documentation is so crucial.

I was self-employed as a contractor for 4 years before applying for benefits last fall. One tip that helped me: when you first apply, be super clear about having a legitimate business that experienced an involuntary reduction. I made the mistake of just checking "unemployed" without explaining my situation, and it caused weeks of delays while they tried to find employer records that didn't exist. Also, keep detailed notes of every conversation, including agent names and ID numbers. I had to reference these multiple times when information wasn't properly recorded in my file. Good luck with your claim!

Yes, I eventually got approved after about 5 weeks total. They based my benefit amount on my net profit from my Schedule C, not my gross income (which was disappointing). I think I ended up getting about 40% of what I was making before. Not great, but it helped keep the lights on while I found new work.

One additional note - be ready for your employer to possibly claim you were unable to perform essential job functions. Counter this by explaining that: 1. As a floater, you could have been assigned to rooms with older children 2. The 5lb restriction wouldn't have prevented you from performing duties with older age groups 3. You were willing and able to work with this accommodation If you get a determination letter denying benefits (hopefully you won't), you have 14 calendar days to appeal. Don't miss this deadline. Also, when you're unable to work after childbirth, you'll report this during your biweekly payment request by answering "No" to the question about being able and available for work. Then explain you're on medical leave following childbirth. Resume payment requests when medically cleared.

Absolutely file, but ALSO file a complaint with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) for pregnancy discrimination. You only have 180 days from the discrimination to file with them. Their process is separate from unemployment but could lead to additional compensation for illegal termination. The EEOC complaint costs nothing to file.

Trust me, calling that 800 number is USELESS unless you want to waste hours of your life! After 45 calls in one day, I finally used Claimyr and got through in about 20 minutes. Best decision I made during this whole unemployment nightmare. The agent was able to help me with backdating all my payment requests for weeks I'd missed.

One thing to keep in mind: when TWC finally processes your claim, you might receive all the back payments in one lump sum. This could potentially affect your tax situation for 2025, so you might want to set aside some of it for taxes next year. The standard withholding is often not enough, especially for lump sum payments covering multiple weeks.

To directly answer your question with the official information: According to TWC guidelines, you can use ANY reasonable method to search for work, including: - Online job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, etc.) - WorkInTexas.com - Company websites - In-person applications - Employment agencies - Networking events - Job fairs - Professional organization meetings The critical requirements are: 1. Meeting your weekly required number of work search activities (which is 3 per week for most counties) 2. Looking for suitable work (matching your skills and experience) 3. Keeping detailed records of all work search activities If you're ever selected for a work search audit, you'll need to provide documentation showing you met these requirements, regardless of which platform you used. An important note: If you've been assigned to RESEA (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment), you may be specifically required to register with WorkInTexas as part of that program. But for standard unemployment benefits, Indeed is perfectly acceptable.

Can confirm Claimyr works for getting through to TWC. After trying for days by myself, I tried them as a last resort when my payment got stuck pending. They got me through in about 25 minutes. The TWC agent was able to fix my payment issue and it was released the next day.