The TWC system is deliberately designed to be confusing and make it harder for people to get all the benefits they're entitled to! They know that many people won't understand the waiting week process or will forget about it after they find work. In 2023, almost 47% of eligible claimants NEVER received their waiting week payment because they either didn't know to request it or didn't realize they had to meet the return-to-work requirement first. ALWAYS request your waiting week on your next scheduled filing date after benefits exhaust, then follow up with TWC after you've started working. Don't let them keep your money!!!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! So it sounds like I should: 1. Make my final regular payment request on May 23rd 2. Request the waiting week on my next filing date (June 6th) even though I don't have a job yet 3. Once I find work and earn 3x my weekly benefit amount, contact TWC to release the waiting week payment I really appreciate all the help. The TWC website and paperwork definitely don't make this clear!

Did u do the id.me verification or was it some other kind of verification hold? cuz those are different things. id.me is faster to clear usually.

Following up on my earlier comment - if you still don't see any change by Monday afternoon, when you call back, ask them specifically: 1. Has the verification hold been completely removed from my account in the system? 2. Are there any other holds or issues preventing payment? 3. What exact date can I expect my payment to be processed? Get the representative's name and ID number too. Sometimes just noting that information makes them more likely to take extra steps to help you. Also, if you're in a financial emergency situation due to the delay, be sure to mention that. TWC has procedures for expediting payments in hardship cases, especially when the delay is on their end.

just wondering... did ur boss actually tell u that hours would pick up again soon or r they just keeping u hanging?? cuz my friend was in this exact spot and they kept her at like 8hrs for MONTHS hoping she'd just quit so they wouldn't have to pay unemployment!!

Hey OP, just checking back - did you end up applying? Did you run into any issues? The TWC website can be a nightmare to navigate for partial unemployment claims.

Quick update - I just heard from a friend who works at workforce solutions that TWC is currently processing a backlog of claims from companies that went through mass layoffs in March. Individual claims like yours might be delayed because they're prioritizing the large batches. Not sure if that helps, but it might explain some of the delay.

One more thing to check - log into your TWC account and go to the "Claim and Payment Status" section. Look for any status messages or pending issues listed there. Sometimes there are specific hold reasons that don't generate correspondence but are visible in that section of your account. It might give you more insight into why your claim is delayed.

Update: I finally got through to TWC after trying all morning! The agent was actually really nice about it. She said my severance will be allocated over about 7 weeks based on my previous salary, so I won't be eligible for benefits during that time. But here's the good news - since I reported it myself before they caught it, they're not considering it fraud or applying any penalties. I will have to pay back the first payment I already received though. They're sending me a determination letter with all the details. Thanks everyone for your help and keeping me from panicking too much!

Did they tell you how to pay back the money? Do u have to write a check or can you do it online?

i got through to twc last month after like 50 tries. best time to call is right when they open at 8am. keep redialing even if it says busy. sometimes i got through randomly at like 3pm when everyone else gave up lol

This happened to me but with a much smaller amount ($780). I appealed and brought all my documentation to the hearing. The TWC representative actually admitted their system had a glitch that affected how offset payments were processed for claims from 2021-2022. They ended up canceling my overpayment entirely. So definitely appeal and specifically ask if there were known system issues during that time period.

Not getting your paycheck is ABSOLUTELY a valid reason for unemployment!! My cousin works in HR and says this is called 'constructive discharge' even if they didn't fire you!! Good luck!!!

One more important thing: When you file your claim, TWC will contact your employer for their side of the story. Be prepared for them to potentially dispute your claim by saying payment was just delayed or that you're still employed. This is why documentation is crucial. Screenshot any bounced paychecks, keep records of work performed, save texts/emails about promised payments. Also, in Texas, you must meet the work search requirements while receiving benefits - currently 3 work search activities per week. Document these carefully as TWC may audit you.

Has anyone received the determination yet? I'm invested in this story now and wondering what TWC decided.

I work in HR and deal with TWC issues regularly (from the employer side). To clarify something important: in Texas, caring for a sick family member CAN be good cause for refusing work, but it depends on the specific circumstances. TWC typically looks at: - Whether you had alternatives for care - If the illness was temporary or long-term - If you asked for accommodations before refusing What often hurts claimants is not being specific enough. Don't just say "my child was sick" - explain exactly why this prevented you from accepting a position with camera monitoring requirements, the duration of the illness, and what steps you took to try to resolve the conflict. Also, be prepared to provide some form of documentation if requested - pediatrician notes, appointment records, etc.

my friend said if u call the reliacard people early in the morning like 7am there's no wait time. might be worth trying tomorrow

update??? did u get ur card yet??? i need to file next month and am worried about the same thing happening to me

My cousin works for TWC and he said those old balances you see are just like ghost numbers in the system. They don't mean anything after your benefit year ends.

Thanks everyone for the responses! Sounds like I definitely need to file a new claim if I get laid off. Really helpful to know about the base period calculation too - makes me a bit nervous since I was making more in 2021 than I am now, so my benefit might be lower. Anyone know if there's a waiting period between filing and getting your first payment? I should probably start saving more just in case.