Moving to another state - should I file TWC unemployment in Texas or my new state?

You should file your unemployment claim with Texas since that's where you earned your wages. The general rule is you file with the state where you worked, not where you currently live. Since all your work was performed for a Texas employer, TWC is the correct agency to handle your claim, even though you physically moved to Oklahoma.

ive moved between states TWICE while on unemployment... total nightmare!!!! the first time I tried filing in the new state and they rejected me because all my wages were from the previous state. wasted 3 weeks trying to sort it out.

i moved from texas to arizona last year and tried to apply in arizone first. big mistake!! they made me start all over with texas. wasted like 2 weeks of benefits

I had this exact situation in 2025. Here's what you need to know: 1. File with Texas TWC since that's where your wages were earned 2. When filling out the application, use your current Oklahoma address 3. You'll need to register with the Oklahoma unemployment office for work search purposes 4. You'll request payments through Texas TWC's system 5. You'll follow Oklahoma's work search requirements (which may differ from Texas) It's called an "interstate claim" - basically Texas pays your benefits but Oklahoma monitors your work search. The systems talk to each other (though sometimes not very efficiently). Make sure to check both states' work search requirements. Oklahoma might require more or different activities than Texas' standard 3 per week.

I just went thru this!!! It will automatically be flagged as interstate when u enter ur out of state address. BUT good luck getting thru to TWC - I tried for 2 weeks straight and kept getting busy signals or disconnected. Super frustrating when you're trying to figure this interstate stuff out!!!

One important thing that hasn't been mentioned: when you file with Texas but live in Oklahoma, you'll receive information about registering with Oklahoma's employment services for work search requirements. This is known as the "Interstate Connection Program" or ICP. After you file your initial claim with TWC and they determine you're eligible, you'll receive instructions to register with Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC). You'll still request your payment benefits through TWC's system, but you'll need to meet Oklahoma's work search requirements and document them according to OESC rules. Also, be aware that your benefit amount will be calculated using Texas wages and Texas benefit formulas, not Oklahoma's. This is important because benefit amounts can vary significantly between states.

Yes, you'll need accounts with both agencies. You'll file your initial claim and request payments through your TWC account, but you'll also need an OESC account to register for work search and document your activities. Here's the typical process: 1. File initial claim with TWC using your Oklahoma address 2. TWC processes your claim (this can take 2-3 weeks) 3. If approved, TWC notifies Oklahoma that you have an interstate claim 4. You'll receive instructions to register with OESC 5. You request payments through TWC but follow Oklahoma work search rules It sounds complicated, but once it's set up, it's manageable. The most important thing is to follow the specific instructions you receive from both agencies.

wait do you still have to pay texas income tax on the unemployment if you live in oklahoma now?????

To summarize what everyone has said and add one important point: Yes, file with TWC, but be prepared for a slightly longer processing time for interstate claims. They typically take 3-4 weeks instead of the usual 2-3 weeks for regular claims. This is because TWC has to coordinate with OESC for the interstate aspects of your claim. Also, make sure you have documentation ready showing your move date, as they might request this to verify your situation. Keep records of all communications from both agencies. Lastly, once approved, don't forget to request your payment on your assigned day through the TWC system, not Oklahoma's system. Missing a payment request can cause significant delays.

Just want to add one more thing that helped me when I went through this exact situation - keep a detailed log of all your communications and submissions. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking when I filed with TWC, when I registered with Oklahoma, what documents I submitted, and all the confirmation numbers. This saved me so much headache when there were processing delays and I had to prove what I'd already done. Also, screenshot everything! Both TWC and OESC websites can be glitchy, and having screenshots of your submissions and confirmations is invaluable if something goes wrong. Good luck with your claim!

Just wanted to share my recent experience with this exact situation! I moved from Dallas to Colorado in February and got laid off in March. Filed with TWC and it worked out fine, but here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: 1. The interstate coordination can be slower than they tell you - my first payment was delayed by almost 2 weeks while the systems "talked to each other" 2. Colorado's work search requirements are WAY more strict than Texas - you need 5 job contacts per week instead of 3, and they're super picky about documentation 3. Make sure you understand which state's appeal process applies if something goes wrong - it's the paying state (Texas) not your resident state 4. When you do your weekly certifications, you'll still use the TWC system but some of the questions might seem weird because they're written for Texas residents The good news is once it's all set up, the payments come through just fine via direct deposit. Just be patient with the initial setup process and don't panic if it takes longer than expected!

Hey Micah! I went through this exact same situation when I moved from Austin to New Mexico last year. Everyone here has given you great advice about filing with TWC, but I wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me: 1. When you file your TWC claim online, there's a specific section where you can indicate you've moved out of state - make sure to fill this out completely. It helps flag your claim as interstate from the beginning. 2. Keep your old Texas phone number if possible, at least temporarily. Some TWC automated systems and callbacks are designed around Texas area codes, and I had issues with callbacks when I switched to my New Mexico number too quickly. 3. Download the TWC mobile app AND bookmark both the Texas and Oklahoma unemployment websites. You'll be jumping between systems a lot, especially in the first few weeks. 4. Start documenting your job search activities immediately, even before you're officially registered with Oklahoma. The work search requirements usually apply from your first week of eligibility, and it's better to have too much documentation than not enough. The whole process took about 4 weeks for me to get fully set up, but once everything was working, it was pretty smooth. Hang in there - the initial confusion is normal and it will get easier!

I actually just helped my sister through this exact situation a few months ago when she moved from San Antonio to Louisiana! One thing that really helped her was calling TWC's interstate claims unit directly (they have a separate phone line for interstate situations) rather than trying to get through to the general customer service line. The interstate specialists understood her situation immediately and walked her through the whole process step by step. Also, here's something nobody mentioned - make sure you keep proof of your job search activities in a format that works for BOTH states' systems. Oklahoma might want you to log activities in their online portal while TWC might ask for them in a different format if there are any issues. I'd recommend keeping a simple document or spreadsheet with all the details (company name, contact person, date, method of contact, etc.) so you can easily transfer the info into whatever system each state requires. The other thing that caught my sister off guard was that some employers might be confused about your situation when they see you're receiving benefits from Texas but living in Oklahoma. She found it helpful to have a simple explanation ready: "I'm receiving interstate unemployment benefits from Texas where I earned my wages, but I'm now residing in Oklahoma." Most employers understood once she explained it that way. Good luck with everything - it really does get easier once the initial setup is complete!

I went through this same situation when I moved from Fort Worth to Kansas in 2023! One thing I'll add that saved me a lot of stress - when you file your TWC claim online, make sure to print or save a PDF copy of EVERY page of your application before you submit it. The system sometimes times out during submission and you might lose all your information. I had to start over twice before I figured this out! Also, once you get your claim number from TWC, write it down in multiple places. You'll need it for everything - talking to TWC, registering with Oklahoma, and even when you eventually register with OESC. I kept mine in my phone notes, wrote it on a sticky note on my computer, and emailed it to myself. One last tip - if you have any former coworkers or professional contacts in Oklahoma, let them know you're looking. The job market there might be different from what you're used to in Texas, and having local connections can really help with your work search requirements. Plus, networking activities usually count toward your weekly work search contacts in most states! The whole interstate process seems overwhelming at first, but you'll get through it. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask questions if you get stuck!

Hey Micah! I actually just went through this exact same situation last month when I moved from Dallas to Arizona and got laid off from my remote job. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - definitely file with TWC since that's where you earned your wages. One thing I wish someone had told me upfront: the TWC website has a specific interstate claims FAQ section that's really helpful once you know where to find it. It's buried in their help section, but it walks you through the exact steps for your situation. Also, when you do your initial phone interview with TWC (which they'll schedule after you file online), make sure to mention your move right away. The interviewer can flag your claim properly and explain the next steps for registering with Oklahoma. I'd also recommend starting your job search in Oklahoma immediately, even before you're officially registered with OESC. The work search requirements kick in from week one of your claim, and Oklahoma tends to be pretty strict about documentation. Better to have too many job search activities recorded than not enough! One last thing - keep your expectations realistic about processing times. My interstate claim took about 5 weeks total to get the first payment, but once it was set up, everything ran smoothly. The waiting is stressful but totally normal for interstate claims. You've got this!