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Can't get through to TWC after filing - high call volume for 3 days straight

I just got laid off from my warehouse job last week and filed my unemployment claim online Friday afternoon. I'm super paranoid they didn't receive it properly or that I made some error since the confirmation page looked weird when I submitted it. I've been calling TWC literally every hour during business hours for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT and keep getting the "due to high call volume" message before it hangs up on me! Does anyone know if this is normal? Is there any way to confirm they received my application without talking to someone? I'm getting really worried because rent is due in two weeks and I need to know if I screwed something up on my application. Has anyone else had this problem recently?

Jamal Brown

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This is totally normal with TWC unfortunately. Their phone lines are constantly overloaded. You can actually check if your claim was received by logging into your TWC account online. Go to ui.texasworkforce.org and look under "Claim and Payment Status" - if your claim is showing up there (even if it says pending or under review), then they received it. You should also get a letter in the mail within 7-10 days confirming they received your claim.

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Thank you so much! I just checked and it does show up as "pending" so I guess they did get it. Do you know how long the pending stage usually lasts? The status doesn't give me any kind of timeline.

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OMG the TWC phone system is THE WORST!!! I had the exact same problem in January when I got laid off. Called 47 times in one day (yes I counted) and never got through. The automated system just hangs up on you which is so infuriating!!! Like, at least put me on hold or something?? Eventually I just gave up and figured if there was a problem they'd mail me something.

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Same here...so frustrating!! 😠

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hey its normal dont worry to much they will contact u by mail if theres a problem. i filed mine last month and never talked to anyone on phone still got approved and got payment

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That's good to hear. Did you get any emails from them or just physical mail? I'm checking my spam folder constantly.

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KylieRose

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I went through this exact situation back in November. The TWC phone system is overwhelmed most days, especially Mondays and Tuesdays when everyone is trying to reach them. Here's what you need to know: 1. As someone mentioned, check your account online at ui.texasworkforce.org to confirm your claim status. 2. Make sure you're completing your payment requests on time. Even while your claim is pending, you should request payment on your assigned filing day (based on the last digit of your SSN). This ensures you'll get all eligible payments once approved. 3. TWC will send you a Determination Letter by mail that explains if you're eligible and how much your weekly benefit amount will be. This can take 2-3 weeks. 4. Be sure to complete your work search requirements (minimum 3 activities per week) and document them carefully. If you absolutely need to speak with someone about your claim, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they have a service that helps you get through to TWC quickly instead of dealing with busy signals. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. I used them when I had an issue with my claim and got through in about 20 minutes instead of days of trying.

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Thank you for all this information! I didn't know about the payment request schedule being based on SSN - that's really helpful. I'll definitely look into that Claimyr service if I don't see any updates by next week. Did TWC backpay you for the weeks while you were waiting for approval?

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I actually just went through this last month. Like everyone says, their phone system is completely useless. I was freaking out too, but my claim ended up being processed with zero issues despite never talking to an actual person. The big thing is to keep up with your payment requests every two weeks - mark those dates on your calendar! And make sure you're keeping detailed records of your work search activities (job applications, networking, interviews, etc.). You need at least 3 per week in Texas. One tip: call right when they open (7:00 AM) if you absolutely must speak to someone. The wait is slightly better then, but still pretty bad.

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Sasha Ivanov

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7am calls don't even work anymore! I tried calling exactly at 7:00:00 three days in a row and still got the "high call volume" message every time. TWC needs to fix their system!!!

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Wow, that's even worse than when I was dealing with them a couple months ago. They definitely need more staff or a better system.

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I waited 5 weeks for my claim to be processed and never talked to a human! So frustrating but thats how it goes sometimes. Just keep checking online and be patient if u can.

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to answer ur question bout emails they sent me both email and mail but the email just said to check my correspondence inbox on the twc website didnt have the actual info in it

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Thanks for letting me know. I'll make sure to check both my email and the correspondence inbox on the website.

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Jamal Brown

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To add to my earlier comment, the pending stage can last anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending on how complicated your employment separation was. If you were laid off with a clear termination date (not fired for misconduct or quit), it's usually on the faster side. Just make sure you're available if they call you for an interview - they'll usually try twice before making a determination without your input. And the first payment request can be confusing - make sure you're reporting any work/earnings during your waiting week correctly.

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This is super helpful, thank you. Yes, I was laid off along with 20 other employees due to company restructuring, so hopefully that's straightforward. I'll keep my phone nearby in case they call!

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I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned when I was desperate to talk to TWC about my determination letter having the wrong employer listed. It actually worked! I was skeptical at first but I got through to TWC in like 25 mins after trying for days on my own. The regular TWC phone system is just broken.

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How much did it cost? Worth it??

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Sasha Ivanov

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Just to add something no one has mentioned yet - make sure your contact info is updated in the TWC system. My friend missed important communication because his address was still his old apartment. You can update this info in your TWC account profile section. They communicate mostly through regular mail for official determinations.

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Good point, I moved about 6 months ago but I'm pretty sure I updated my address when I filed. I'll double-check now.

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