Should I file for TWC benefits now or wait until my ex-boss stops paying me?

You need to file NOW. Don't wait. TWC has a waiting week anyway before benefits start, and there's often delays with the system. When you file, you'll report any income you receive during your weekly payment requests, including this continued payment from your employer. This way you're in the system and ready to go once those payments stop. I went through something similar last year and waiting was a huge mistake - took me over a month to actually start getting benefits after my severance ran out!

File right away but understand how it works so you don't get confused. When you file your initial claim, you establish your base period and benefit amount. Then each payment request period, you report ANY income you earned or received for those weeks. If what your employer pays exceeds your weekly benefit amount, you'll receive $0 from TWC for those weeks, but you're still "in the system" and can continue requesting payments. Once your employer stops paying, you'll start receiving the full benefit amount if you meet all other requirements (work search activities, availability for work, etc).

DONT FILE if ur still getting paid! When I did that they said i comitted FRAUD cuz I was still gettin money from my job! TWC gonna ask if ur currently getting paid and if u say YES they deny u and if u say NO ur lying they can come after you later for overpayment! You should wait till the money stops for real.

I recommend filing your initial claim now, but be 100% honest about the payments you're receiving. TWC will adjust your weekly benefit amount accordingly. This approach ensures you don't experience any gap in income when those employer payments stop. The key is being transparent with TWC about all income sources during your bi-weekly payment requests. Have you started your work search activities yet? Remember, Texas requires at least 3 work search activities per week, which you'll need to document when requesting payments.

quick question - ur boss is still paying u but did they give u a formal layoff notice or anything? cuz if they're still paying u maybe ur technically still employed? this matters for how TWC views ur situation

File now!!! I waited when I was in your same situation and regretted it soooo much. The TWC system is super backed up right now - took me almost 3 weeks just to get my claim processed, then another 2 weeks before I saw any money. And that was AFTER my severance ran out, so I had no income for over a month! Don't make my mistake!

If you can't get through to TWC to ask this question directly (which is likely - their phone lines are always jammed), try using Claimyr.com. I was in a similar situation and needed clarification about reporting income while on unemployment. Used their service and got through to an actual TWC agent in about 10 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Worth it to get an official answer from TWC about your specific situation.

Here's exactly what happens: You file now. On your payment request, you report the amount your employer is paying. If it's more than your weekly benefit amount, you get $0 for those weeks. But your claim stays active. As soon as those payments stop, you'll start getting unemployment benefits. This way there's no gap. Also remember that the first week of your claim is a "waiting week" - you won't get paid for it until after you've received 3 payments and returned to full-time work. Another reason to file ASAP.

file now but just fyi the website is super glitchy right now... i had to try like 5 different browsers before i could even complete my application lol. might want to try late at night when fewer people are using it

Update: I just wanted to add something important - when you file, TWC will ask about the reason for your separation from employment. Make sure you accurately indicate you were laid off (not fired for cause or that you quit). This affects your eligibility. Since your employer is continuing to pay you, they might not have reported your separation to TWC yet, which could cause confusion. You might want to speak with your former employer to ensure you're both on the same page about how your separation is classified.

Just one more thing - make sure you setup direct deposit right away in the TWC system! The debit card option takes way longer to get your money and has all kinds of weird fees. The direct deposit option is buried deep in the account settings and easy to miss.