Back to Texas Unemployment

Amelia Cartwright

Can I claim past TWC payment requests after late approval? Missing 3 weeks

Just got my Texas unemployment claim APPROVED today after filing on July 21st (so that's about 3 weeks waiting). Here's my issue - I never requested payment for any of the previous weeks because I wasn't sure if I'd be approved. Now I'm wondering if I can go back and request those weeks or if I've completely lost them? The approval letter doesn't say anything about retroactive payments. Has anyone dealt with this before? I really need those first few weeks of benefits since I've been out of work this whole time. The TWC website is confusing me and I can't get through on the phone.

you can definitely request those back weeks! TWC lets you request payments for weeks that already passed. just log into your account and look for "Request Payments" then follow the steps. it'll show you which weeks you're eligible for. I missed 2 weeks once and was still able to get them after my claim was active

0 coins

Thank you! I'm going to try this right now. Do you remember if there was any kind of time limit on how long you have to request past weeks?

0 coins

You can request payment for any weeks during your benefit year, but there's an important caveat - you must request payment within 14 days of the date you're scheduled to request payment. If you missed your designated filing date, you'll need to call TWC directly to request those back weeks. For example, if your filing day was supposed to be August 2, you would have until August 16 to request that payment online. After that window closes, you'll need to speak with a representative to have those weeks processed manually. Also make sure you can document your work search activities for those weeks, as you'll need to report them when requesting payment.

0 coins

Oh no, it's definitely been more than 14 days for the first couple weeks. I didn't even know I had a filing schedule since I just got approved. This is stressful because I really need those payments. I've been tracking my work search activities though, so at least I have that documentation.

0 coins

I went thru this EXACT situation in June!! Filed on 6/2, got approval on 6/25, and missed 3 payment request periods. Called TWC non-stop for 2 days trying to get help. When I finally got through, the agent filed all my backdated payment requests over the phone. They can 100% do this for you!!! You need to explain you were waiting for approval and didn't know you should file payment requests while waiting. DON'T GIVE UP - those are YOUR benefits that you're entitled to!

0 coins

That's so reassuring to hear someone had the same situation! I've been calling constantly but just getting busy signals. Did they make you verify all your work searches for those weeks? I have records but not super detailed ones.

0 coins

Yes they asked for all my work search info for each week - where I applied, contact info, etc. Having some basic records will help. The most frustrating part was just getting through to someone! I called over 50 times before connecting with an actual person.

0 coins

I had to deal with this same issue last month. Here's what you need to know: 1. TWC allows retroactive payment requests, but you MUST speak with a representative since it's been over 14 days 2. Have your work search activities documented for each week (minimum 3 per week) 3. Be prepared to explain why you didn't request payment (waiting for approval is a valid reason) 4. Use the Tele-Serv system (800-558-8321) in addition to trying the main TWC number The key is getting through to an actual person. I'd recommend trying Claimyr.com - they help you skip the TWC phone queue and get to a rep much faster. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to handle my backdated requests.

0 coins

The Teleserv number is useless if your issue needs a real person! Been there done that got disconnected 12x last week 🤬

0 coins

Thank you for the detailed breakdown! I've been trying the Tele-Serv system but it just redirects me when I try to request past weeks. I'll check out that Claimyr service - at this point I'm desperate to talk to someone at TWC.

0 coins

your not going to be able to do this online, the system won't let you request payments that old. only a TWC rep can do it for you. i spent 3 DAYS calling non-stop before i got through. make sure you have all your work search stuff ready because theyll ask for each job you applied to for each week. also when you do get threw don't hang up until they confirm the requests went through!!! sometimes they say there filing them but then they don't actually show up!!!

0 coins

3 days of calling?! Ugh, I was afraid of that. Thanks for the warning about confirming they've actually submitted the requests. I'm going to start calling first thing tomorrow morning.

0 coins

this is exactly why the TWC system is broken. they don't tell people to request payment WHILE waiting for approval, then make it nearly impossible to reach someone to fix it. I had a friend who lost 6 weeks of payments because he waited too long to try to get it fixed. The whole system is designed to deny people benefits they deserve.

0 coins

That's my fear - that I'll end up losing out on those weeks completely. It seems ridiculous that they don't make this clearer in the application process. I just assumed I needed to wait for approval before requesting anything.

0 coins

has anyone tried the TWC chat on their website? sometimes you can get help faster that way than calling

0 coins

I tried the chat last week for a different issue and waited 2 hours just to get disconnected when it was finally my turn 🙄 Calling is frustrating but still better odds than the chat in my experience

0 coins

Quick update on your situation - I just checked the TWC guidelines and confirmed that you CAN still get those weeks. According to their policy, as long as the request is made within your benefit year and you have a valid reason for the delay (such as waiting for approval), they should process those payments. However, you absolutely must speak with a representative directly. When you do get through, make sure to emphasize that you were waiting for claim approval and weren't aware you should request payment while waiting for the determination. This is a common misunderstanding and the representatives are generally understanding about it. Be persistent - those are benefits you're entitled to receive.

0 coins

Thank you so much for checking! That gives me hope. I'll keep trying to get through to someone and make sure to explain exactly why I didn't request earlier. I appreciate everyone's help with this!

0 coins

did u try filing a payment request yet? sometimes the system will let u do it even if its past the deadline. worth a shot before u spend days trying to call

0 coins

I tried earlier today and the system wouldn't let me select those past weeks - it only showed this current week as available. Looks like calling is my only option at this point.

0 coins

Pro tip: call right when they open at 7am! I got through in about 20 minutes when I called at opening time. If you wait until later in the day it's practically impossible.

0 coins

Thanks for the tip! I'll set my alarm for tomorrow morning and try right at 7am.

0 coins

Any update? Were you able to get through and request your backdated payments? The system can be frustrating but don't give up - you're entitled to those benefits as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for each week.

0 coins

UPDATE: Success! I used the Claimyr service that was recommended and got through to TWC in about 30 minutes this morning. The rep was really helpful and filed all my back payments! She said they should be processed within 2-3 business days. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement.

0 coins

That's awesome news! So glad the Claimyr service worked for you - 30 minutes is amazing compared to what some people go through. Your success story will definitely help others in the same situation. Hope those payments come through quickly!

0 coins

Congratulations! That's such great news. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - been waiting 4 weeks for approval and just realized I should have been requesting payments this whole time. Going to try the Claimyr service you mentioned. Thanks for sharing your success story, it gives me hope that I can get my back payments too!

0 coins

That's fantastic! Your success story is exactly what people in this situation need to hear. I'm dealing with a similar backlog issue right now - filed my claim 5 weeks ago and just got approved yesterday. Been stressing about those missed weeks but your experience gives me confidence that TWC will work with me to get those payments processed. Definitely going to try the Claimyr service first thing Monday morning. Thanks for following up with the good news!

0 coins

Wow, this thread has become such an amazing resource for people dealing with TWC payment request issues! I'm a newcomer here but have been lurking and reading through all these experiences. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories - both the struggles and the successes. I'm currently in my second week of waiting for claim approval and after reading all of this, I now understand that I should start requesting payments as soon as I get approved rather than waiting around confused. The fact that so many experienced people have confirmed that TWC will process backdated payments when you were waiting for approval gives me a lot of confidence. The tips about calling at 7am, having work search documentation ready, and using services like Claimyr seem to be the winning combination. It's frustrating that TWC doesn't make this process clearer upfront, but at least we have communities like this where people actually help each other figure it out. For anyone still struggling with this issue - don't give up! Based on all these success stories, those benefits are definitely recoverable. This thread is proof that persistence and knowing the right approach really pays off.

0 coins

Thank you for putting together such a thoughtful summary of this thread! As someone who's also new to unemployment benefits, I've been reading through all these experiences and taking notes. It's really reassuring to see so many people successfully get their backdated payments - I was worried those weeks would just be lost forever if you missed the initial window. The community support here is incredible compared to trying to navigate TWC's confusing website alone. I'm also waiting for approval (filed about 10 days ago) and will definitely start requesting payments immediately once approved thanks to all the wisdom shared here. It's amazing how much stress and confusion could be avoided if TWC just made this process clearer from the start!

0 coins

Texas Unemployment AI

Expert Assistant
Secure