Texas Unemployment
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Can't reach Texas Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the TWC
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the TWC drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
TWC appeal timeline confusion - filed Sept 27, still waiting
I'm super stressed about my TWC appeal. I filed it on September 27 after getting denied benefits because my employer said I was fired for misconduct (which is NOT true - I was laid off due to department restructuring). It's been almost 4 weeks now and I haven't heard ANYTHING. No mail, no update on the portal, nothing! When I check my appeal status online it just says "pending" with no other info. Is this normal timing for appeals in Texas? How much longer should I expect to wait? My savings are almost gone and I really need to know if there's something else I should be doing or if this is just how long it takes. Anyone gone through this recently?
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How long for TWC payment to appear on ReliaCard? First time direct deposit user
I just switched to direct deposit for my TWC benefits and I'm supposed to receive payment via the U.S. Bank ReliaCard. My payment request was processed yesterday but I don't see anything in my account yet. This is my first time using direct deposit (was getting paper checks before) and I'm getting anxious since rent is due soon. For anyone using ReliaCard - how long does it typically take for the payment to show up? Is there a way to check if it's being processed or did I mess something up when setting up direct deposit?
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Quick tip: Once you start receiving regular deposits, set up account alerts in the ReliaCard app. You can get text messages whenever a deposit hits your account. Really helpful for planning bills and knowing exactly when funds are available.
Great idea! Just set that up in the app. Fingers crossed I'll get that text notification soon!
I've been using ReliaCard for about 6 months now and can confirm what others are saying - that first payment really does take the longest! Mine took 3 full business days to show up initially, but now I typically see deposits within 24-48 hours max. One thing that helped me was calling the ReliaCard customer service number (on the back of your card) the day after TWC processed my payment. They could actually see that a deposit was "in transit" to my account even before it showed up in the app, which gave me peace of mind. Don't stress too much - sounds like everything is processing normally for you!
TWC claim question: Refusing job offer due to health limitations - how to report?
Just got a job offer yesterday after being on unemployment for about 2 months, but I'm worried about how to handle this on my TWC claim. The job involves heavy lifting and standing for 10+ hours which my doctor has advised against due to my back issues (have documentation from my recent surgery). I literally cannot physically do these tasks without risking serious injury. When I do my next payment request, do I need to report this job offer even if I declined it? If I say I refused work, will TWC automatically disqualify me? Anyone know the right way to handle health-related job refusals on the payment request form? Really stressed about losing my benefits since I'm still actively looking for suitable work that won't damage my health.
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Off topic but whatever happend to that TWC online chat feature they were supposed to roll out? Would be so much easier than these phone calls that never go through. Every time I check the website it still says "coming soon" but it's been that way for ages. Anyone actually seen it working?
Let's try to keep focused on helping OP with their specific situation about reporting a job refusal. The chat feature is still in testing and only available for certain claim types right now.
Just checking in - were you able to submit your payment request and explain the job refusal situation? Hope it went smoothly.
Yes! I submitted yesterday and explained everything. My account now shows "under review" but at least I was able to explain the medical reasons thoroughly. Got a much better doctor's note with specific restrictions listed. Fingers crossed it processes without issues. Thanks everyone for the advice!
That's great to hear! The "under review" status is totally normal for medical job refusals. In my experience, having that detailed doctor's note with specific restrictions really makes all the difference. Keep doing your work searches for suitable positions and you should be fine. Update us when you hear back from TWC!
TWC benefits exhausted - any extended benefits or programs after regular UI runs out?
Hey everyone, I just received my last unemployment payment from TWC last week. I've been on regular UI for the past 26 weeks (since being laid off from my warehouse supervisor position), and now my benefits balance shows $0. I'm still actively job hunting (doing 5+ work searches weekly) but no luck landing anything yet. My rent is due in 2 weeks and I'm getting desperate. Are there any extensions or other benefits I can apply for now that my regular unemployment is exhausted? Has anyone successfully transitioned to another program after UI ran out? The TWC website is super confusing about this and I can't get through on the phone.
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Yes, a tax return or other official document with your SSN will usually work as a substitute. Bring whatever you have that shows your SSN.
Thanks so much for all your help. I feel a bit less panicked now that I have a plan. I'll update this thread after I visit the Workforce office tomorrow in case it helps anyone else in my situation.
I'm in a similar situation - my benefits ran out about 3 weeks ago and I've been scrambling to figure out what's next. Reading through this thread has been really helpful, especially the info about Workforce Solutions and SNAP. I had no idea about the WIOA program or that they could help with training funding. One thing I'll add - if you're behind on rent, also check with 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local rental assistance programs. They connected me with a nonprofit that helped cover one month of rent while I get back on my feet. Every little bit helps when you're in survival mode. Good luck tomorrow at the Workforce office! Please do update us - I'm planning to visit mine next week and would love to hear how it goes.
Can I qualify for TWC unemployment with a month's notice before layoff?
My employer just informed me I'm being laid off effective January 1st. I'm stressed because I've been applying to jobs for the past 2 months with zero interviews. Since they gave me a month's advance notice about the layoff, will that affect my eligibility for TWC benefits? I'm worried they'll say I had enough time to find something else. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation before? Will TWC consider me eligible even though I knew about the layoff a month in advance? Really need advice since my savings won't last long after rent.
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When I got laid off back in May, trying to get through to TWC was a NIGHTMARE. I needed to ask a question about my work search requirements and spent 3 weeks trying to get someone on the phone. Busy signals, disconnects, hold for hours then cut off... I was about to lose my mind! Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got a callback from TWC in under an hour. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Seriously saved my sanity during an already stressful time.
Thanks for the tip! I'm worried about getting stuck in phone limbo too. Did you have any issues with your claim being delayed because of the advance layoff notice?
No problems at all with the advance notice. My situation was actually similar - I had about 3 weeks' notice before my actual layoff date. The TWC agent I spoke with (after using Claimyr) confirmed that advance notice is completely normal and doesn't affect eligibility at all.
make sure ur applying to jobs now!! dont wait til ur last day. the more applications u send the better chance u have of not needing unemploymnet at all. also the job search requirment is no joke - my friend got audited and had to pay back $4000 because she didnt keep good records!!!!
I've been applying like crazy but the job market is really tough right now. Been submitting about 10 applications a week for 2 months with only one screening call that went nowhere. At least I'll have good documentation for the work search requirement!
The job market is brutal right now, especially during the holidays when hiring slows down. Don't get discouraged! That screening call shows you're on the right track. Keep expanding your search - look at contract work, temp agencies, and even consider reaching out directly to hiring managers on LinkedIn. The good news is all those applications will definitely satisfy TWC's work search requirements. Stay persistent!
Evan Kalinowski
One more thing to add - the TWC Appeals department normally sends you a letter acknowledging receipt of your appeal within 7-10 days. If you didn't get that, I would double-check that they actually received your appeal. You can submit another one if needed (it won't hurt your case), just to make sure you're in the system.
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The Boss
AuthorI did get a letter about a week after I filed saying they received my appeal. That's the only communication I've had so far. I guess that means I'm in the system at least.
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Sebastián Stevens
Hang in there! I know the waiting is incredibly stressful when you're running low on funds. Based on what others have shared, 4 weeks is still within the normal timeframe, though I totally understand your frustration. Since you mentioned you got the acknowledgment letter, that's good - you're definitely in the system. The key things to focus on now are: 1) Keep requesting payments every two weeks (even though you're not getting paid yet), 2) Document your work search activities thoroughly, and 3) gather any evidence that supports your case about the layoff vs. misconduct. The fact that your employer is claiming misconduct when you were actually laid off due to restructuring should work in your favor. Do you have any emails, documents, or witnesses that can back up your version of events? Having that ready will be important when your hearing gets scheduled. Stay strong - appeals do take time but many people win when they have the facts on their side like you seem to!
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