Can I get TWC benefits after temp assignment ends with Randstad? Need advice for Dec 31st layoff

You're right to be preparing. I went through almost the exact situation with Randstad last year. The key is documentation. Start saving EVERY communication with your recruiter now - emails, texts, voicemails about your availability and job requirements. If they claim you refused suitable work, you'll need to prove what you communicated. Also, make sure you're applying to jobs outside of Randstad during those 3 days too. TWC sometimes questions if you're truly looking for work if you're only waiting on the agency. Document all your job search activities meticulously. When you file, be very specific that the assignment ended due to "lack of work" and that no other suitable assignments were offered within your geographical limitations. Temp agencies sometimes try to classify it as "quit" if you don't accept assignments that are unreasonable distances.

Watch out with temp agencies!! My experience with kelly services (not randstad but similar) was a NIGHTMARE. they told TWC i "quit" because i didn't accept an assignment that was 60 MILES from my house!!! had to fight for 6 weeks to get benefits. they will absolutely try to avoid paying unemployment if they can so BE CAREFUL.

I work in HR and can provide some specific advice for your temp agency situation: 1. During those 3 days after separation, email your recruiter daily about your availability and follow up on any potential assignments. Save these emails. 2. When you file with TWC, your wage credits will be with the temp agency, not the client company where you've been working. Make sure you list Randstad as the employer. 3. On your TWC application, use the exact terminology "assignment ended" rather than "laid off" or "terminated." This is important classification. 4. Temp agencies must offer "suitable" work based on your skills, experience, and geographic limitations. Your 35-mile radius is reasonable, so document that you've made this clear. 5. If approved, you'll still need to meet work search requirements (minimum 3 activities weekly) even if Randstad says they're looking for positions for you. One final thing - remember that if you've exhausted benefits recently (Feb 2023), you'll need enough qualifying wages in your base period to establish a new benefit year. With your work since March, you should have sufficient quarters.

just went thru this in oct. be super carefull bcuz randstad told me they had another assignment but it was like 2 hours frm my house lol! when i said no they tried to tell twc i refused work. make sure u specify ur distance requirements in writing. i got approved but took like 5 weeks of back and forth.

I had the EXACT same situation with Randstad in 2023. Here's what I learned trying to get through to TWC during the process: When my assignment ended, Randstad contested my unemployment claim saying I "quit" because I didn't accept a new assignment 50+ miles away. I needed to speak with TWC urgently to explain my side, but kept getting busy signals and disconnections for over a week. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a TWC representative. Their service connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of hours of redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Once I got through and explained that the offered assignment was outside my agreed-upon geographic area, TWC ruled in my favor. Having documentation of my communication with the recruiter about my 30-mile limit was crucial. Don't wait until the last minute to try contacting TWC if Randstad contests your claim. The phone lines get worse around holidays.

To answer your follow-up question about qualifying wages: Yes, there is a minimum. To establish a new benefit year, you need: 1. Wages in at least 3 of the 4 base period quarters (which would be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024 if you file in January 2025) 2. Total base period wages of at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount 3. Wages in the quarter with the highest earnings must be at least 1.5 times your lowest earning quarter Since you've been working steadily since March, you should have enough quarters, but the amount depends on your wages. TWC will calculate this automatically when you file. Also, make sure you request your final paycheck and any PTO payout from Randstad immediately when your assignment ends. Some agencies try to delay final payments.

i had randstad last year anf got laid of right before thanksgiving!! i applied for unemployment and got approved no problem they didnt even fight it. i think it depends on your branch? my recruiter was really nice and told me she woudl tell unemployment it was end of assignment not my fault. maybe talk to your recruiter about it???

Something nobody mentioned - make sure you're registered with WorkInTexas.com before you apply for benefits. It's required now and if you wait until you're filing for unemployment it can delay your claim processing.

anyone know how long after the 3 days u have to file? my friend waited like 2 weeks after his assignment ended and twc gave him problems about the gap

To answer your question about documentation - yes, I had emails showing I told my recruiter I could only accept assignments within 30 miles due to transportation issues. When Randstad offered something 50+ miles away, I had the email showing the location and my response explaining why I couldn't accept it. One more important tip: if you do file for unemployment, make absolutely sure you continue doing your work search activities even if Randstad says they're working on placing you. TWC requires 3 work search activities per week regardless of what your temp agency says they're doing. I've seen people get denied because they relied only on their agency and didn't do their own job searching.

One final consideration for your situation: since your assignment is ending December 31st, be aware that TWC's phone lines and website typically experience extremely high volume in early January. Many seasonal and year-end contracts terminate December 31st, creating a surge in new claims. If Randstad doesn't place you within those 3 days, I'd recommend filing your initial claim online rather than by phone if possible. The online system is generally more reliable during high-volume periods. Save screenshots of your application in case there are any technical issues. Also, the first payment request period after filing a new claim often has a one-week waiting period (non-payable week). Plan your finances accordingly for that initial gap.

I went through a similar situation with a different temp agency (Express Employment) last year. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything - dates of all conversations with my recruiter, job applications I submitted independently, and any assignments they offered (with distances and reasons if I had to decline). When my assignment ended, I made sure to send my recruiter an email the day after summarizing our conversation about my availability and requirements. Something like "As we discussed, I'm available for immediate placement within 35 miles of [your area] for full-time, hybrid, or remote positions matching my skill set." This created a paper trail showing I was actively seeking work through them. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have copies of all your paystubs from Randstad. Sometimes there are discrepancies in wage reporting that can affect your benefit calculation, and having your own records helps if you need to dispute anything. The process can be stressful, but most people I know who documented everything properly got approved even when their temp agency initially contested. Stay organized and you'll be fine!

I'm in almost the exact same boat - my temp assignment is ending unexpectedly in January and I'm terrified about the unemployment process! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and scary. One thing I wanted to add that might help you (and me too) - I just found out that some temp agencies have internal policies about how they handle unemployment claims. My friend works in staffing and said some agencies automatically contest ALL claims as standard practice, while others are more reasonable about it. Might be worth subtly asking your recruiter about Randstad's general approach to unemployment situations? Also, has anyone dealt with the situation where your assignment ends but the temp agency claims they're "still looking" for you? I'm wondering if that affects your eligibility or if TWC sees through that kind of delaying tactic. Good luck with everything - sounds like you're being really smart about preparing ahead of time. The documentation tips from everyone here are gold!

I've been through this exact scenario with Randstad twice - once in 2022 and again last year. Here's what I learned that might help you: First, definitely start documenting everything NOW like others mentioned. But also ask your recruiter specifically what their process is for unemployment situations. When I asked directly, my recruiter actually told me they have a policy to contest claims initially but usually don't fight hard if you have proper documentation of your availability and requirements. Second, make sure you understand exactly what "suitable work" means in Texas. It's not just about distance - it also includes wage level (generally can't be more than 25% below your previous assignment rate), hours, and working conditions that match your experience. I successfully argued that a night shift assignment wasn't suitable when I'd been working days for 8 months. One thing that saved me was sending a follow-up email after EVERY phone conversation with my recruiter. Something like "Thanks for our call today. To confirm, I'm available for assignments within 35 miles, $X hourly minimum, standard business hours, and can start immediately. Please let me know about any positions matching these requirements." Also - and this is important - start applying to jobs outside Randstad immediately when your assignment ends, even before the 3-day waiting period. TWC wants to see you're genuinely seeking work, not just waiting for your temp agency to find something. The January filing rush is real, so definitely use the online system. I filed at like 2 AM and it went through smoothly while friends who waited until business hours had system crashes.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been working temp assignments for over 3 years now. The advice here is spot-on, especially about documentation. I've never had to file unemployment (knock on wood), but I've seen plenty of coworkers go through this process. One thing I'd add - if your assignment does end and Randstad doesn't immediately have something for you, don't just sit around waiting for them to call. I've seen people do that and it never ends well. Start reaching out to OTHER temp agencies too during those 3 days. Companies like Aerotek, Kelly Services, Robert Half, etc. Having multiple agencies working for you increases your chances of avoiding unemployment altogether. Also, since you mentioned you've been on this assignment since March, make sure you have a solid reference from your current supervisor/manager at the client company. Sometimes temp agencies are slow to place people, but if you have a great reference from the actual workplace, other agencies will be more motivated to work with you quickly. The December 31st timing is rough because so many companies freeze hiring during the holidays, but January is typically one of the busiest months for new assignments as budgets reset. Stay positive - you might end up with something even better than your current role!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation with a different temp agency and reading everyone's experiences is both reassuring and eye-opening. One thing I wanted to add that might help - if you have any annual performance reviews or positive feedback emails from your current assignment, save those too. I had a situation where a temp agency tried to claim I was a "problem employee" when contesting my unemployment claim, but having documented positive feedback from the client company really helped my case. Also, since you mentioned being flexible with remote work - make sure you specify that clearly in all your communications with Randstad. Remote positions often have different geographic restrictions and could open up more opportunities for immediate placement. The advice about registering with WorkInTexas.com early is crucial. I made that mistake once and it delayed my claim by almost a week while they verified my registration. Sounds like you're being really proactive about this whole situation. Even though it's stressful, having a plan and documentation ready puts you way ahead of most people who get caught off guard by assignment endings. Hope your recruiter comes through with something great and you don't even need to use any of this unemployment advice!