Confused about TWC benefits after military medical discharge - eligible but $0 payment

The contradicting letters are actually normal in your situation. The first letter was probably denying regular TX unemployment, while the second letter is approving you for UCX benefits (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers). TWC processes military claims differently than regular unemployment. The $0 payment is happening because your military wages aren't in the TWC system yet - they have to get your DD-214 and verify your service dates with the DoD before payments can start. This usually takes 3-4 weeks after you apply, sometimes longer during holiday periods.

same thing happened to my cousin. hes marines and got medical discharged in november. took like 5 weeks to get his first payment. keep requesting payment even if it says $0 becuz theyll pay u backpay once everything clears.

I went through this EXACT same situation when I got med discharged from the Navy in 2024! The TWC system is totally broken when it comes to military claims. Those confusing letters nearly gave me a heart attack! I kept calling for WEEKS and couldn't get through to anyone. Finally I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a TWC agent in like 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Totally worth it because the agent was able to see that my military wages hadn't been processed yet and put a note on my account to expedite it. Got my first payment a week later including all the backpay.

Your situation is fairly common with military discharges. The TWC system requires additional verification for UCX claims. Here's what's happening: 1. The first letter denied regular unemployment because you don't have Texas civilian wages 2. The second letter approved you for UCX benefits based on your military service 3. The $0 payment is temporary until your military wages are verified and loaded You should continue requesting payment every two weeks even while showing $0. Once your wages are verified, you'll receive backpay for all properly requested weeks. Also ensure you're completing your 3 required work searches each week and documenting them. Make sure your DD-214 shows character of service and narrative reason for separation. If your separation was for medical reasons, you might be exempt from certain work search requirements, but you need to get this confirmed by a TWC representative.

THIS IS WHY THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I went through the EXACT same thing when I got out of the Air Force last year. I got the conflicting letters, the $0 payments, and NOBODY would answer the phone for SIX WEEKS!!! By the time they processed my military wages, I was almost evicted from my apartment!!!! It's RIDICULOUS that they make veterans wait so long when we've served our country!!! The TWC needs to create a special department just for military claims because the regular system DOES NOT WORK!!!! I'm still angry about how they handled my claim!!!!

when I got out of the army they denied me unemployment completely said I wasnt elgible because I voluntarily left my job lol like the military is a regular job you can just quit

Update: I FINALLY got through to TWC today! The rep confirmed what several of you said - my UCX claim is approved but they're waiting for DoD to verify my military wages. She said this is taking longer because of the holidays and they're backed up, but I should see payment in the next 7-10 business days. She also added a note to expedite my claim. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!