Can I use Indeed for unemployment work search in Texas TWC?

This is exactly the reassurance I needed. So the agent confirmed Indeed counts — did they say anything about how detailed the log entries need to be? I've just been writing the job title, company, and date applied.

Two weeks into my claim and I had the same log format question. Job title, company, date, and method of contact (online application, email, etc.) is what TWC asks for. That covers it.

The log format question tripped me up too at first. Keep it simple and consistent and you'll be fine.

Good to know about not repeating the same employer. I've applied to a few companies twice because they had different openings — is that okay as long as it's genuinely a different position?

Different job posting at the same company is fine, yes. It's the same position with no new opening that wouldn't count as a new activity.

Halfway through my benefit year and this is still something that confuses people constantly. Different role = different application = different log entry. Totally legitimate.

Makes sense. I was nervous about this same thing with LinkedIn.

Mine says three per week. Is Travis County really five? That seems like a lot.

Yeah Travis County is one of the higher ones — same with Harris, Dallas, Bexar, and Tarrant. Big metro areas basically.

Just got my work search letter last week and mine is four. I'm in Williamson County which surprised me, I expected fewer.

This is news to me honestly, I had no idea it varied. Gonna double check my letter tonight.

I've been doing full applications each time, not just saving jobs. Good to know that's the right approach.

The confirmation email tip is smart. I keep a folder in my email with all my application confirmations just in case.

Exactly — it takes five extra seconds to drag those into a folder and it could save you a lot of stress if TWC ever audits your log.

Wait, I thought activities on WorkInTexas.com counted toward my weekly total? Or do they not?

They CAN count — applying for a job through WorkInTexas.com is a valid work search activity. What I meant is that just having a profile there and being registered doesn't automatically satisfy your weekly requirement. You still have to actively do activities each week.

This is an important clarification. Registration is mandatory but it's separate from the ongoing weekly activity requirement. Applying through the site counts, same as applying anywhere else.

Glad someone cleared that up because I definitely misread that at first too.

That is mildly terrifying but also good to know. How much notice do they give you when they send that questionnaire?

Mine came in the mail with about two weeks to respond. Very standard form, they just want dates, employers, positions, how you applied. My spreadsheet made it easy.

Got one of those in my last claim too. Honestly wasn't a big deal once I had my records together. The stress of getting it was worse than actually responding.

This is basically exactly what my log looks like. The outcome column is a nice touch since it shows ongoing status too.

Stealing this column setup, thank you. I've been doing a notes app list which is way less organized.

Notes app will work in a pinch but yeah the spreadsheet format makes it so much easier to respond quickly if TWC ever asks.

Mine's in Excel and I print a copy every two weeks just to have a paper backup. Maybe overkill but I sleep better.

This thread has genuinely been more useful than anything TWC sent me. No offense to TWC but their communication could use some work.

The determination letter told me I needed to do work search activities. That was it. No list of what counts, no log format guide, nothing. I get that they expect you to look it up but still.

The info is on TWC's site if you dig for it, but I agree it should be more front-and-center in the initial mailings.

Wait, I've heard this too from a friend who filed last year. So an interview IS a valid activity but it only counts as one entry in the log?

Exactly right. Interview = one activity. If your requirement is three that week, you still need two more. I confirmed this directly.

This is correct. An interview is a legitimate work search activity and absolutely goes in your log. It just doesn't replace the other required activities for that week.

Good catch. This myth trips people up every time.

That's helpful to know. Did reopening your claim take long, or did it basically pick up where you left off?

Took about a week to process the reopened claim. No new waiting period or anything, just some paperwork. Way less painful than starting from scratch.

The reporting part while working is key. You report gross earnings for the week you did the work, not when you got paid.

This is such a common misconception apparently. Glad your aunt got it sorted out!

She's been doing this for two weeks now and already has way more leads from Indeed than she did from WorkInTexas.com alone. The requirement is to do the activities, not to do them in one specific place.

WorkInTexas.com is honestly kind of limited for certain fields. For specialized roles, Indeed or LinkedIn have way more options.

How long does it take to actually get connected through that? I might try it for a question I have about my specific situation.

It reached an agent for me faster than I ever got through on my own. Worth trying if you have something specific you need answered.

I'm going to look into this. I've been trying to get a straight answer about my log format and can't get through by calling myself.

Not every application sends a confirmation though, especially smaller companies. What do you do when there's nothing in your inbox?

For those I note in my log 'no confirmation received' and move on. If it was a real application it still counts. The log entry itself is your primary record.

Some companies redirect you to their own site from Indeed and the confirmation comes from them separately. Worth checking spam for those since they sometimes end up filtered.

Makes total sense. I've been doing full job titles but good reminder to stay consistent.

Specificity matters a lot. Even the method of contact helps — 'submitted application via Indeed,' 'emailed resume directly,' 'applied on company careers page.' Shows it was a real effort.

I'm fully available, no issues there. But good point that it's not just about logging activities.

Just making sure since I've seen people focus only on the log and forget that TWC can ask on any payment request whether you were able and available.

Every payment request does ask this. It's easy to just click through but it matters. If something temporarily made you unavailable, that week gets complicated.

The 'do it the same day' tip is so practical. I've been letting mine sit and then trying to remember the details. Never again.

Same day logging is the move. By Friday I sometimes can't even remember which day I applied where.

Exactly why I do it right after each application. Takes 90 seconds and saves so much stress later.

Log it however is most accurate to what you actually did. If you found it on Indeed and completed the app on the company site, 'applied on company careers page via Indeed listing' covers it perfectly. There's no wrong answer as long as it's truthful.

That makes sense. I was overthinking it. The goal is just an accurate record, not hitting some specific category.

You can also just write 'applied online' and list the company. The platform is secondary to the employer name and position.

Ten weeks with no issues is great to hear. Gives me confidence I'm on the right track.

Just stay consistent, keep your log current, and do your payment requests on time and you'll be fine. The system works when you work it correctly.

Ten weeks also and same experience here. Variety of platforms, never an issue, never a question about which site I used.

That's a good distinction — the work search activity and the earnings reporting are separate obligations.

Exactly what the agent told me. Document the pitch/proposal as an activity, and separately report any income earned from actual work. Two different boxes on the form essentially.

This is actually really useful since I do some freelance graphic work on the side. I'll remember to separate those two things.

Coming from someone at the end of their benefit year that's really reassuring. Thank you for sharing that perspective.

The anxiety at the beginning is real but it fades once you get your routine down. Good luck with the job search — hope you land something before you need to get to week twenty-six.

This is a good note to end on. The requirements exist but they're not designed to be impossible if you're genuinely searching.