How many work weeks needed to qualify for TWC benefits? Confused about eligibility

In Texas, you need to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period (that's the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply). You also need to have earned at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount in total during your base period. So with 5 months at your retail job, it depends on when those months fell and if you had ANY work in Texas before that. Even if it was part-time or temporary, it might count toward your base period earnings. I'd recommend applying anyway - the worst they can say is no, but they might approve you if you meet the minimum requirements. When you apply, have your employment info from Oklahoma handy too just in case.

just apply! they'll figure it out for u. i lost my job last yr and thought i wouldnt qualify cuz i only worked 4 months but got approved anyway. u never know til u try

To clarify the base period question - it's NOT the last 5 months. Here's how TWC calculates it: If you file in June 2025, your base period would be January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 (they don't count January-March 2025, which is the quarter you're in, and they don't count April-June 2025, which is the current quarter). So if you worked from January through June 2025, that actually doesn't count in your base period at all. But your seasonal job in November-December 2024 WOULD count. If you had any work in Texas during 2024, that would help your claim. The 37x weekly benefit amount means your total earnings in the base period need to be at least 37 times what your weekly benefit would be. TWC determines your weekly benefit amount based on your highest-earning quarter in the base period. Here's the good news - if you don't qualify using the standard base period, TWC will automatically check if you qualify using an alternate base period, which includes more recent work history. I recommend applying online through ui.texasworkforce.org and being very thorough with your work history.

THE TWC SYSTEM IS RIDICULOUS!!! I worked for 4 months in 2024 and got DENIED because of this stupid "base period" nonsense. They said I didn't have enough wages in my "base period" even though I CLEARLY worked enough hours!!! They just want excuses to deny people. The whole system is designed to make it IMPOSSIBLE to get benefits when you need them. Good luck but don't get your hopes up!!!

When I was trying to reach TWC about my eligibility issues last month, I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual TWC agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. The agent was able to explain exactly why I wasn't qualifying and what I needed to do to fix it. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh that shows how it works. Definitely worth it for peace of mind instead of stressing for weeks not knowing if you'll qualify.

my cousin had same problem last month she only worked like 4 months but still got benefits. think it depends on how much u made not just how long u worked. she made like $5000 total i think

One more important thing - when you apply, make sure you answer the work separation question correctly. Since your store closed, select "lack of work" or "business closed" as the reason. Don't put anything that might suggest you quit or were fired for cause. Also, once you apply, you'll need to request payment every two weeks and complete at least 3 work search activities each week. Start documenting your job applications now - keep a record with the company name, position, date applied, and contact info. Regarding your timeline: If approved, your first payment would typically come 2-3 weeks after applying, assuming there are no issues with your claim. The initial request for payment usually can't be submitted until ~10 days after you apply.

When I filed in 2023 I was in a similar situation and the best advice I got was just be 100% honest on the application, especially about all your past jobs. I think I messed up by not including a really short temp job I had and that caused delays. Oh and make sure to check your TWC correspondence inbox daily - they sent me an important message there and I almost missed the deadline to respond because I didn't know to check it!

Hey Ava! I was in almost the exact same situation as you last year - moved to Texas, worked retail for about 6 months, then got laid off when the store closed. I was so stressed about qualifying too! Here's what I learned: definitely apply even if you're not sure you qualify. The TWC system will automatically check both the standard base period and the alternate base period to see if you meet the requirements. Your November-December seasonal work plus any Oklahoma wages might be enough. A few practical tips that helped me: - Apply online as soon as possible (don't wait!) - Have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment records ready - Include ALL jobs from the past 18 months, even short-term or part-time ones - For your separation reason, select "lack of work" since the store closed - Set up direct deposit when you apply - it's faster than waiting for a debit card The waiting is the hardest part, but hang in there. Even if your first application gets denied, you can appeal or reapply if your situation changes. And definitely start your job search right away since you'll need to document 3 work search activities per week if you get approved. You've got this! Let us know how it goes.

I'm a TWC caseworker and wanted to clarify a few things that might help with your situation. Since your retail job started in January and you're filing in June, your recent work actually WILL count under the alternate base period that TWC automatically checks if you don't qualify under the standard base period. The alternate base period would include your January-March 2025 earnings, which could be crucial for your claim. Combined with your November-December seasonal work, you might have enough qualifying wages. A few important points: - Your $2800/month retail earnings are definitely substantial enough if they fall in a qualifying period - Oklahoma wages can be included through interstate wage transfers - make sure to list that employment - Store closure is considered "lack of work" which makes you eligible if you meet wage requirements - Don't let the complex base period calculations discourage you - the system does this automatically Apply online at ui.texasworkforce.org and be thorough with ALL employment in the past 18 months. The system will determine your eligibility using whichever base period works in your favor. Given your earnings level and the store closure circumstances, you have a good chance of qualifying. Good luck!

Hey Ava! I went through something very similar when I moved to Texas from Louisiana about a year ago. I was working at a restaurant for only about 4 months when they suddenly closed due to "restructuring" and I was terrified I wouldn't qualify for benefits. Here's what I wish someone had told me: APPLY IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait trying to figure out if you qualify - let TWC make that determination. I wasted almost a week trying to calculate my base period earnings myself and it was pointless because their system is way more complex than we can figure out on our own. A few things that really helped me: - I gathered every single pay stub I could find, even from really short jobs - I made a simple list with employer name, dates worked, and approximate total earnings for each job - I applied on a Tuesday morning when their system seemed less busy - I kept checking my correspondence inbox obsessively (like others mentioned) The good news is your $2800/month at the retail job is really solid earnings, and since the store closed it's clearly not your fault. That seasonal work in Nov-Dec could be the key to pushing you over the threshold. I ended up getting approved after about 2.5 weeks and received back payments for the time I was waiting. The relief was incredible! Hang in there and apply today if you can.

Ava, I just wanted to add one more piece of encouragement here! I see you've gotten tons of great advice from everyone, and as someone who was denied initially but then approved on appeal, I want you to know that even if things don't go perfectly the first time, there are still options. The key things I'm seeing from your situation that look really positive: - Your retail job earnings were solid ($2800/month is well above minimum wage) - Store closure is the best possible separation reason for TWC purposes - You have that seasonal work from Nov-Dec that could be crucial - Your Oklahoma work history adds another layer of potential qualifying wages I'd echo what others have said about applying TODAY rather than waiting. The sooner you apply, the sooner your waiting period starts, and if you do get approved, you'll get retroactive payments back to when you first became unemployed. Also, don't let Yara's negative experience scare you too much - every situation is different, and from what you've described, you have several factors working in your favor that she may not have had. One last practical tip: when you're doing your work search activities (if approved), Indeed and WorkInTexas.com are your best friends. You can easily apply to multiple jobs and keep good records for TWC. Rooting for you! Update us when you hear back!

Best of luck with your application, Ava! You've gotten some amazing advice here from everyone. I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago when my office job ended due to company downsizing. I was also worried about qualifying since I'd only been working in Texas for about 8 months, but I ended up getting approved. One thing I didn't see mentioned - after you apply, you might get a phone interview scheduled with a TWC representative to verify your work separation details. Don't stress if this happens - it's pretty routine for store closures and layoffs. They just want to confirm you didn't quit voluntarily or get fired for misconduct. Since your store closed, this should be straightforward. Also, if you do get approved, your first payment might seem smaller than expected because they withhold federal taxes unless you opt out. You can change your tax withholding preferences in your online account later if needed. The fact that you're being so proactive about this and gathering all your documentation shows you're taking the right approach. With your solid earnings history and the store closure, I'm optimistic you'll get approved. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Congratulations on submitting your application, Ava! That's a huge step and you should feel proud of taking action despite all the uncertainty. I wanted to share one more tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation - while you're waiting for your TWC decision, start building your job search routine now. Even though you're not required to do work search activities until you're approved, getting into that habit early can help in two ways: 1) you'll be ready to hit the ground running if approved, and 2) you might find a new job before you even need the benefits! Also, since you mentioned rent is due in 2 weeks and money is tight, look into local emergency assistance programs while you wait. Many cities have rental assistance or food pantries that can help bridge the gap. In Texas, you can call 2-1-1 for information about local resources. The waiting period is always stressful, but you've done everything right - thorough application, good documentation, and a legitimate reason for job separation. Try to stay positive and focus on what you can control (like your job search) while the TWC processes your claim. Wishing you the best of luck! 🍀

Hey Ava! I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact process about 8 months ago. Reading through all these responses brought back so many memories of my own stress and confusion when I first applied! I love seeing how supportive this community is - you've gotten some truly excellent advice here. The TWC caseworker's input was especially valuable, and it sounds like you're in a much stronger position than you initially thought. One small thing I wanted to add: when you're waiting for your decision, try not to refresh your TWC account every 5 minutes like I did (learned that the hard way!). They typically update claim statuses in batches, usually overnight, so checking once a day in the morning is plenty. Save yourself the anxiety of constant checking. Also, if you do get that phone interview Miguel mentioned, don't overthink it. Mine lasted maybe 10 minutes and the representative was actually really nice and helpful. They just asked basic questions about when I worked, why I left, and if I was actively looking for work. You've got this! Your preparation and thoroughness really show, and with the store closure situation plus your solid work history, I'm optimistic you'll get good news. Keep us posted - we're all rooting for you! 🙌

Ava, I just wanted to add some encouragement as someone who works in HR and has helped many employees navigate the TWC system. Your situation is actually pretty typical - we see this a lot with retail closures and relocations, and most people in your circumstances do get approved. A few quick additions to the excellent advice you've already received: - Keep your store closure documentation handy (news articles, company announcements, etc.) in case TWC needs verification - If you haven't already, sign up for email notifications in your TWC account so you don't miss any important updates - Consider reaching out to your former HR person if you need employment verification - they're usually helpful even after closure Your $2800/month earnings are definitely substantial, and combined with that seasonal work, you should meet the monetary requirements. The store closure makes this a "no-fault" separation, which is exactly what TWC benefits are designed for. Try not to stress too much during the waiting period - you've done everything right and your case looks solid. Focus on your job search and taking care of yourself. You've got a great support system here cheering you on!

Ava, I'm so glad you submitted your application! As someone who went through a very similar situation about a year ago (retail job, store closure, worried about qualifying), I wanted to share a few things that might help while you wait. First, you made the right call applying immediately. I made the mistake of waiting almost two weeks trying to "figure out" if I qualified, and that just delayed everything unnecessarily. The TWC system is designed to check all possible base periods automatically - much better than us trying to do that math ourselves! A couple of practical tips for the waiting period: - Set up your WorkInTexas.com profile now if you haven't already. It's free and counts as a work search activity if you get approved, plus it's actually a decent job board for Texas positions - Start a simple spreadsheet to track your job applications (company, position, date applied, contact info) - you'll need this documentation later - Don't be discouraged if your claim shows "pending" for a while - that's totally normal while they verify wages with employers Your earnings and the store closure situation really do put you in a strong position. I was approved with similar circumstances and have been working steadily since. The temporary financial stress is scary, but you're handling this exactly the right way. Wishing you a quick approval! This community will be here to help if you have any questions during the process.

Ava, you're doing everything absolutely right! As someone who went through the exact same anxiety when I applied for TWC benefits after my restaurant job ended unexpectedly, I can tell you that your methodical approach and all this great community advice puts you in the best possible position. I just wanted to add one thing that really helped me during the waiting period - consider setting up a simple daily routine that includes both job searching and self-care. When I was waiting for my TWC decision, I made a schedule: mornings for job applications, afternoons for skills development (free online courses count as work search activities!), and evenings for something that helped me decompress. Having structure really helped manage the stress and made me feel productive even while waiting. Also, since you mentioned rent being due soon, don't forget that many utility companies and landlords have hardship programs right now. It's worth making a quick call to explain your situation - you might be surprised how understanding they can be, especially since you're being proactive about finding solutions. Your positive attitude and thorough preparation really shine through in all your responses. That same energy and organization is going to serve you well in both getting approved for benefits and finding your next job. Keep us posted - we're all pulling for you! 🌟