Eligible for TWC benefits after only 5 months employment before layoff?
My employer just announced they're having a round of layoffs on March 30th, and my team is being cut. The problem is I've only been working there for 5 months (started last November). I've never filed for unemployment before and don't know if there's a minimum time you need to be employed to qualify for benefits in Texas. Does anyone know if I'd be eligible with only 5 months at this job? I did work full-time at another company for 2 years before this one if that matters. Really stressing about bills since I wasn't expecting this at all.
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Samantha Johnson
Yes, you can definitely apply for TWC benefits! Texas doesn't have a minimum employment length requirement at your current job. What matters is your base period (roughly the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply). You need to have earned enough wages during that time, regardless of which employer paid them. Since you worked full-time at another company for 2 years before this one, you should easily meet the wage requirements. The fact that your current position is only 5 months doesn't disqualify you at all. Make sure you apply as soon as you're laid off, and select "reduction in force" or "laid off due to lack of work" as your reason for separation.
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Santiago Martinez
•Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. I was freaking out thinking I'd be completely without income. Do you know how much of my salary I might get? I'm making about $4,300/month right now.
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Nick Kravitz
im in same boat got laid off after 7 months and got approved no problem. just make sure u say layoff not fired big difference
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Hannah White
•So true abt the wording!! My friend said she was "let go" in her application and got denied, had to appeal and explain it was actually a layoff. The TWC is super picky about this stuff!
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Michael Green
The previous responses are correct - your eligibility depends on your earnings during the base period, not how long you've been at your current job. For Texas TWC, they look at the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Based on your situation where you worked full-time for 2 years before your current 5-month job, you almost certainly qualify. You'll need to have earned at least $2,516 in the base period, with wages in at least 2 of the 4 base period quarters. When you file, make sure you have information ready for both employers (the current one and your previous one). TWC will calculate your weekly benefit amount based on your highest-earning quarter in the base period - it's approximately 1/25 of that amount, up to the maximum of $595 per week. One important thing to know: there's a one-week waiting period (called a "waiting week") where you won't receive benefits for the first eligible week. You still need to request payment for that week, though.
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Santiago Martinez
•This is really helpful, thank you! I'll definitely have both employer details ready. Do you know how long it typically takes from filing to receiving the first payment? I'm trying to plan my budget.
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Mateo Silva
TWC IS A NIGHTMARE TO DEAL WITH!!! I got laid off last year and it took me THREE WEEKS just to get through on the phone lines. The website kept crashing when I tried to file online. By the time I finally got my claim processed, I was already behind on rent. The system is BROKEN!!
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Victoria Jones
•I had the same issue with the phone lines when trying to check on my claim status last month. After days of frustration, I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a TWC agent within 30 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh It was worth it for me since I had a complex question about my base period calculations that I couldn't resolve through the portal. Definitely better than taking time off work just to sit on hold all day.
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Cameron Black
question about the base period thing - does that mean if i only worked 3 months total in the last year id be denied? asking for my cousin whose in retail and just got hours cut to nothing
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Michael Green
•It depends on how much your cousin earned during those 3 months and which quarters they fall into. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing. They need to have earned at least $2,516 total during the base period AND have wages in at least 2 of the 4 quarters. If your cousin only worked 3 months total in the last year, they might not qualify for regular unemployment, but it really depends on the specific timing and earnings. They should still apply - the worst TWC can say is no, and there might be other programs they qualify for. Also, having hours reduced to nothing (zero) can sometimes qualify as a constructive discharge, especially if it's permanent.
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Hannah White
One thing no one mentioned - make sure you start applying for jobs right away and keep detailed records! Texas requires 3 work search activities EVERY WEEK to keep getting benefits. I didn't realize this my first week and almost lost my benefits because I only did 1 application. They're super strict about it!
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Santiago Martinez
•Thanks for the tip! Do job applications through LinkedIn or Indeed count toward the 3 weekly activities? And do I need to upload proof somewhere or just keep records in case they ask?
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Hannah White
•Yes LinkedIn and Indeed apps definitely count! You just log them in your payment request (names of companies, position, contact info, app date). They do random audits so keep your own records too. I keep screenshots of confirmation emails just in case.
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Nick Kravitz
hey what field r u in? my buddy works at a startup thats hiring people with only few months experience if ur in software
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Santiago Martinez
•I'm actually in marketing/digital content. But thanks for thinking of me! Appreciate any leads at this point.
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Samantha Johnson
Regarding your question about payment timeline: if everything goes smoothly (no issues with verification or employer response), you can typically expect your first payment within 2-3 weeks after filing. However, be prepared for it to potentially take longer. The approval process involves: 1. Your initial application 2. TWC contacting your employers to verify reason for separation 3. Determination of eligibility 4. Your first payment request (which you'll do after registration) Make sure you request payment on your assigned day even during the waiting week period. The TWC portal will show you your payment request schedule after you're registered. Also, sign up for direct deposit rather than the TWC debit card if possible - it's faster and more convenient.
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Santiago Martinez
•That's super helpful, thank you! I'll definitely opt for direct deposit. My layoff date is March 30th, so I'll plan to file that same day and budget for potentially not seeing any payments until late April. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly.
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Mateo Silva
Don't forget they'll take taxes out of your benefits UNLESS you opt out! I didn't realize this and got 15% less than I expected. Also, the MAXIMUM benefit is $595/week in Texas no matter how much you made before. It's ridiculous if you were making decent money before.
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Michael Green
•This is an important point. You can choose whether to have taxes withheld from your benefits (federal taxes only, at 10%). If you don't have them withheld, you'll still owe taxes on the benefits next year. And yes, Texas has a maximum weekly benefit amount of $595, regardless of previous earnings. For someone earning $4,300/month as mentioned, their weekly benefit would likely be less than the maximum - roughly around $470-$520 depending on exactly how their wages were distributed across quarters.
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