How exactly do TWC work search activities work? Need urgent help!

Here's what counts as work search activities for TWC: 1. Applying for jobs (online or in person) 2. Registering with WorkInTexas.com 3. Creating or updating your resume 4. Attending job fairs 5. Going to job interviews 6. Participating in skills training or education programs 7. Networking events You don't need to upload proof when submitting your payment request, but TWC can randomly audit you anytime within a year, so keep records of everything (screenshots of applications, confirmation emails, etc). When you submit your payment request, you'll just certify that you completed the required number of activities. Make sure you're registered on WorkInTexas.com as that's mandatory too!

omg i was so confused about this too when i started!! just make sure u keep track of EVERYTHING - company name, date, contact info, position. i use a spreadsheet but u can use whatever. Trust me u do NOT want to be scrambling to remember all that info if they audit u later

Just to add to what others have said - registering with WorkInTexas only counts as ONE activity for your FIRST week. After that, you'll need to do three other activities each week. And yes, applying to 3 different jobs absolutely counts as meeting your requirement. One thing people often miss: TWC can actually contact the employers you list to verify you applied. So don't make them up! I've seen people lose benefits when TWC found out they weren't being truthful about their applications.

The work search requirement is THE MOST FRUSTRATING part of the whole unemployment system!!! When I was on benefits last year, I did 5-6 activities every week just to be safe because I was paranoid about getting audited. The system is designed to trip people up I swear. Also be careful because some counties have DIFFERENT work search requirements - some require 5 activities instead of 3 depending on your location. Double-check your determination letter to confirm exactly how many you need in your county!

i had same question my first time on unemployment too lol. btw when u do ur payment request online they just ask u to confirm u did the search activities. they dont ask for details then. but like everyone says, keep good records!! i just use the notes app on my phone with dates and stuff

If you need to talk to someone at TWC about this, good luck getting through on the phone. I spent weeks calling and couldn't get past the busy signals. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that gets you through to a TWC agent usually within an hour instead of days of redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh I was skeptical but it actually worked and I got all my work search questions answered by a real TWC agent. Worth it because the agent explained exactly what I needed to document for my specific situation.

Something nobody mentioned yet - if you're in school or training, you might qualify for a work search exemption! I was taking classes at my community college and got approved for the Training Benefits program where I didn't have to do work searches at all while in school. You have to apply for it specifically though - it's not automatic.

just dont forget to submit ur payment request even if ur not sure bout the work search stuff!! u can always fix misunderstandings but if u miss ur payment request window ur screwed for that period

When I was on unemployment last month I missed submitting my work search log for one week and nothing happened! I think as long as you're honest about your job search activities you'll be fine. They're not checking everyone's records, only random audits.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I'm going to set up a spreadsheet tonight to track everything properly. Just to confirm what I've learned: 1. I need 3 work search activities each week (will double-check my county's requirement) 2. Applying to jobs online counts (keeping confirmation emails/screenshots) 3. I don't upload proof when requesting payment, but need to keep records 4. I must register on WorkInTexas.com (counts as 1 activity for first week only) 5. Virtual workshops count too This community is amazing - you've all saved me so much stress!