Can I switch my TWC claim to Massachusetts after filing in Texas by mistake?
I messed up big time and need help ASAP! I just filed for unemployment through TWC here in Texas (where I live), but I should have filed with Massachusetts where my actual job was located. I was working remotely for a company based in Boston for the past 2 years before they let me go last week. Now I'm worried I won't get the right benefit amount since MA has higher benefits than TX. Is there any way to cancel my Texas application and file with Massachusetts instead? Or can I somehow transfer my claim? I already got my confirmation number from TWC but haven't received any determination yet. Has anyone dealt with something similar or know what I should do?
17 comments
Keisha Robinson
You don't actually have to cancel anything! This is a really common situation with remote workers. TWC will automatically transfer your claim to Massachusetts through something called a combined wage claim or interstate claim. Since your wages were reported in MA, Texas will see this when they process your claim and initiate the transfer. You might get a call or message from TWC asking for clarification, but you don't need to do anything special right now. I went through this exact situation last year working for a California company while living in Texas.
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Yara Nassar
•Really?? That's a huge relief! Do you know how long it took for your claim to transfer? I'm worried about missing payments while this gets sorted out.
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GalaxyGuardian
thats not totally right, u should call twc asap and tell them u made a mistake. they might already be processing ur claim and it could get messy. better to fix it now than wait
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Yara Nassar
•Oh no, now I'm confused again. I guess I should try calling them to be safe. Thanks for the heads up!
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Paolo Ricci
The previous responses both have merit. While TWC does handle interstate claims (when you live in one state but work in another), it's always better to contact them directly to explain your situation rather than hope the system catches it automatically. You'll need to speak with an agent who can properly code your claim. The challenge is actually getting through to someone at TWC. When I had a similar issue, I spent 3 weeks trying to reach someone by phone without success. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to a TWC agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Once I reached someone, they were able to properly mark my claim as an interstate claim and start the process with the other state. Just be prepared to provide your MA employer's information and explain that you worked remotely from Texas.
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Yara Nassar
•Thank you so much for the detailed response! I've been trying to call all morning with no luck. I'll check out that service if I can't get through by tomorrow. Did your benefits end up coming from the state where you worked or where you lived?
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Paolo Ricci
Your benefits will come from Massachusetts since that's where your wages were reported and where unemployment taxes were paid on your behalf. However, you'll follow Texas rules for requesting payments and work search requirements since that's where you reside. It's called a "liable/agent" relationship - Massachusetts is the "liable" state (pays benefits) and Texas is the "agent" state (handles your claim administration). Make sure when you do reach someone, you specifically ask about filing an "Interstate Claim" with Massachusetts as the liable state. The agent should be able to either correct your existing claim or guide you through filing a new one properly.
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Yara Nassar
•This is so helpful! I had no idea it worked this way. I'll definitely ask about the interstate claim specifically when I call.
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Amina Toure
OMG I went thru this EXACT thing but opposite - worked in TX but lived in Louisiana!!! The TWC website is SO confusing and doesnt explain any of this interstate stuff at all. Took me 2 months to get it straightened out and I almost got evicted waiting for my benefits. Definitely call them ASAP don't wait!!!!
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Yara Nassar
•Two months?? That's terrifying. I can't wait that long. Did you have to keep requesting payments during that time or did you have to wait until everything was fixed?
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Amina Toure
Yeah you still gotta do your payment requests every 2 weeks even while they're fixing it. Don't miss those or you'll have to start all over!!! Also make sure you're doing the correct number of work searches for TEXAS rules since that's where you live (its 3 per week right now
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Oliver Zimmermann
I hate to add more confusion, but you actually CAN file with either state in your situation. According to TWC rules, if you worked in another state but live in Texas, you can choose where to file. Some people choose the state with higher benefits, others choose based on which is easier to deal with. Just know that if you do get your claim switched to Massachusetts, you'll still need to follow Texas work search requirements (3 per week) since you live here. But as others have said, you need to speak with TWC directly to get this sorted out. The phone lines are constantly jammed. I got through by calling exactly at 7:00 AM when they open on a Tuesday (typically their least busy day).
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Natasha Volkova
•Not true, you file where your wages are reported, not where you choose. The OP was working for a Massachusetts company, so thats where the wages are reported. You can't just pick the state with better benefits lol
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Javier Torres
Has anyone else noticed how IMPOSSIBLE it is to actually talk to a human at TWC?? I spent TWO WEEKS trying to reach someone about my identity verification issue. The phone system is a complete joke - either busy signals or it hangs up on you after waiting for an hour! The whole system is designed to frustrate people so they'll give up. It's criminal how they treat people who are already stressed about losing their jobs.
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Keisha Robinson
•I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and it worked surprisingly well. I was skeptical at first but got through to TWC in about 15 minutes after trying for days on my own. They somehow bypass the busy signals.
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Yara Nassar
UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC this morning! The agent was actually super helpful and explained that I was right to be concerned. She's converting my claim to an interstate claim with Massachusetts as the liable state. She said I'll get a new determination letter in about 10 days, and that I should keep requesting payments through the TWC system in the meantime. Apparently Massachusetts will calculate my benefit amount based on my wages there, but I'll use the Texas system to request payments and do work searches. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Paolo Ricci
•That's great news! Glad you got it resolved. Make sure you keep track of your work search activities (3 per week in Texas) and document everything just in case there are any hiccups during the transition.
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