Submitting backdated TWC work search logs - need urgent help!

Yes, you can still submit your work search logs retroactively! Don't panic. Go to the 'Payment Request' section and look for the option to 'View Payment Request History' - from there you should be able to see your past requests and add the missing work search information. Just make sure you have your 3 required work search activities documented with employer names, contact methods, and dates. If the system won't let you edit it, then you'll need to call TWC, but try the online method first.

Ugh the TWC system is such a MESS with these work search logs! I had this exact problem last month and had to spend THREE DAYS trying to get through to someone. The online system wouldn't let me backdate anything and kept giving me error messages. When I finally got through, the rep just added notes to my account but said I might still get an 'audit' later. It's ridiculous how they make everything so complicated!!!

Based on my experience helping people with this issue, here's what you need to know: 1. TWC's system generally allows for backdated work search logs up to 14 days after the payment request period 2. After that window, you usually need to contact them directly 3. Document everything you did for work search BEFORE calling - have dates, company names, application methods, and contact info ready 4. Be prepared to explain why you missed submitting it (honest mistake is fine) In most cases, they'll make a note in your file and allow the payment to process if your explanation is reasonable. Just be honest about the situation.

I actually just went through this last week! I forgot to log my job search activities for 2 weeks because I was sick. I tried everything on the website but couldn't figure out how to add them after the fact. Finally I called and after explaining my situation, they just took my information over the phone and updated my account. The rep was actually really nice about it, just make sure you have your work search details ready when you call!

No, they didn't verify on the spot, but the lady did mention they do random audits where they might contact employers later. She just took down all my information - where I applied, dates, contact info, etc. She said as long as I was honest about my work search activities I shouldn't worry.

I had to deal with this exact situation a couple months ago. Trying to call TWC was a nightmare - busy signals for DAYS! I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The TWC agent was able to take my work search information over the phone and update my account. Just make sure you have documentation of your work search activities (dates, companies, how you applied, etc.) ready when you call. They were actually pretty understanding about the mistake.

They just took my word for it over the phone but said they might audit me in the future. The rep said to keep any proof of applications (emails, confirmation screenshots, etc.) for at least 3 months in case they audit. But they updated my account right away after taking down the information.

To clear up some confusion here - the TWC policy on work search logs is that you must maintain your own records of all work search activities for at least one year after applying. The system allows you to submit for the current payment request period, but retroactive submissions have to be handled by staff. During the payment request process, you're actually just certifying that you completed the required activities (3 per week for most counties in Texas). The actual log details aren't entered into the system unless you're selected for an audit. So if you missed certifying that you completed them, you need to call. If you certified but didn't keep your own records, start documenting everything now in case you're audited later.

anyone know if networking events count as work search activities? i went to 2 last month but wasnt sure if i could count them

Update: I checked my payment request history and I DID mark that I completed my work search activities for that period. I was confused because I couldn't find where to enter the actual details. Based on what you all are saying, it sounds like I might be okay since I certified I did them (which I did), even though I didn't record the details at the time. I'm going to start keeping better records now in case I get audited. Thank you all for the help and clarification!

Great news that you figured it out! Just to add some extra peace of mind - I've been on unemployment twice in the past few years and this exact situation is super common. As long as you certified that you completed your work search activities during the payment request (which sounds like you did), you're totally fine. The actual detailed logging is only required if you get audited later. I keep a simple Google Doc with columns for Date, Company, Position, How I Applied, and any Notes. Takes like 30 seconds to update after each application and saves so much stress later. You're doing everything right now!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this exact panic! I missed logging my work search activities for TWO weeks in a row because I was dealing with a family emergency. I was absolutely terrified I'd lose my benefits. Turns out, like others have said, as long as you certified that you completed the activities during your payment request (which it sounds like you did), you're compliant with TWC requirements. The key thing I learned is that TWC requires you to DO the work search activities and certify that you did them - the detailed logging is just for your own records in case of an audit. I now use a simple notebook where I jot down: date, company name, position applied for, and how I applied (online, email, in-person, etc.). Takes 2 minutes but saves so much anxiety! You're definitely not alone in this confusion - the TWC system could really be clearer about what's required when. Sounds like you've got it sorted now though!

I'm so glad you were able to figure this out! Reading through this thread was really helpful for me too since I'm new to the unemployment system and wasn't totally clear on how the work search requirements worked. It sounds like the key takeaway is that during your payment request, you're just certifying that you DID complete the required work search activities (which you did), and the detailed record-keeping is mainly for your own protection in case of an audit later. I really like everyone's suggestions about keeping both digital and physical records - I think I'm going to start a simple spreadsheet right away so I don't run into this same panic situation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, this community is really helpful for navigating all the confusing parts of the TWC system!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where I realized I haven't been keeping detailed records of my work search activities, even though I've been doing them and certifying during my payment requests. Reading everyone's experiences really cleared up my confusion about the difference between certifying completion and maintaining detailed logs. I'm definitely going to start keeping a simple spreadsheet with all the details everyone mentioned - dates, company names, positions, application methods, etc. It's such a relief to know that as long as you're honestly doing the required activities and certifying them during payment requests, you're meeting the main requirement. The detailed record-keeping seems to be more about being prepared for potential audits. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real-world experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official TWC website!

This whole conversation has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation - I've been doing my required work search activities each week but got paranoid that I wasn't documenting them properly. Like many others here, I was confusing the certification process (just checking that you completed the activities during payment requests) with the detailed record-keeping that's mainly for audit protection. It's such a relief to hear from so many people who've navigated this successfully. I love all the practical suggestions for record-keeping - I think I'm going to go with a simple Google Sheets setup with columns for date, company, position, application method, and any follow-up notes. Seems like the key is just being consistent about updating it right after each application. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences! This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere because the official TWC guidance is so confusing about what's actually required versus what's just good practice.

This entire thread has been such a huge help! I'm in week 3 of receiving benefits and have been doing my work search activities but wasn't sure if I was documenting everything correctly. Reading through everyone's experiences really clarified the difference between certifying that you completed the activities (during payment requests) versus keeping detailed records for potential audits. I love how supportive this community is - everyone sharing their real-world experiences and practical tips like the Google Sheets setup with columns for dates, companies, positions, and application methods. It's so much more helpful than trying to decode the official TWC website alone! Going to start implementing a proper tracking system right away. Better to be over-prepared than stressed out later. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion - it should definitely be saved as a reference for other newcomers!

As someone who just went through the exact same panic a few weeks ago, I can totally relate! I had that moment where I couldn't remember if I'd properly submitted my work search activities and started spiraling thinking I'd lose my benefits. From what I learned (and what everyone here has confirmed), the most important thing is that you certified you completed your work search activities during your payment request - which it sounds like you did! The detailed logging is really just for your own records in case you get selected for an audit later. I ended up creating a simple tracking system after my scare: just a basic spreadsheet with Date, Company Name, Position, How I Applied (Indeed, company website, etc.), and a Notes column for any follow-ups. Takes maybe 30 seconds to update after each application but gives so much peace of mind. You're definitely not alone in finding the TWC system confusing - it could really be clearer about what's required versus what's just good practice. Sounds like you've got everything sorted out now though!

I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm brand new to unemployment benefits (just filed my first claim last week) and I was already getting anxious about the work search requirements after reading through the TWC website. The official guidance is so confusing - it wasn't clear at all that there's a difference between certifying that you completed your activities during payment requests versus keeping detailed records for potential audits. Reading through everyone's real experiences has been way more valuable than any official documentation. I love all the practical tracking suggestions - I'm definitely going to set up that Google Sheets system with columns for date, company, position, and application method that several people mentioned. The idea of keeping it simple but consistent really resonates with me. It's also reassuring to see how understanding and helpful this community is. As someone just starting this process, it means a lot to know there are people willing to share their knowledge and help newcomers avoid unnecessary stress. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space!

Reading through this whole thread has been such a relief! I'm currently in my second week of benefits and was starting to stress about whether I was handling the work search requirements correctly. Like so many others here, I was getting confused by the difference between certifying that I completed my activities during payment requests versus keeping detailed records for audits. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when you hear from people who've actually been through this process rather than trying to decode the official TWC website. I really appreciate everyone sharing their tracking systems - I think I'm going to implement that Google Sheets approach with columns for date, company, position, and application method. The key seems to be keeping it simple but consistent. @Isaiah Thompson - so glad you got this sorted out! Your original post probably helped way more people than just yourself. This community is incredible for providing real-world guidance on navigating these confusing systems. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences!

This entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's been collecting benefits for about a month now, I was definitely overthinking the work search requirements and getting stressed about documentation. Reading through everyone's experiences really clarified that the main compliance piece is honestly completing your activities and certifying them during payment requests - the detailed record keeping is more about being prepared for potential audits. I love how this thread evolved from one person's panic into this comprehensive guide that's probably going to help dozens of future claimants. The Google Sheets tracking system with columns for date, company, position, and application method seems to be the gold standard based on everyone's feedback. I'm setting mine up tonight! @Isaiah Thompson thanks for asking the question that so many of us needed answered. And thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - this community is such a lifeline for navigating the confusing TWC system. You've all saved me (and probably many others) from unnecessary stress and sleepless nights!