TWC Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) maximum payment amount lower than expected - anyone else?
I recently applied for Disaster Unemployment Assistance after the flooding damaged our workplace. After submitting all my income verification (1099s, tax returns, etc.), I finally got approved but the weekly benefit amount is WAY less than I was expecting. They only approved me for $327 per week when I was making almost $1100 weekly before the disaster. When I called to ask about it, I just got the runaround about 'maximum benefit amounts' but nobody could tell me what that actually is for DUA in Texas. Has anyone else gone through this recently? What's the actual maximum DUA payment in Texas for 2025? I thought it would be closer to regular unemployment max ($641/week). Any advice on how to get this reviewed or appealed? I've got bills piling up and this amount barely covers my rent.
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StarSurfer
Unfortunately, DUA and regular unemployment benefits are calculated differently. The DUA maximum is generally lower than regular state unemployment. For 2025, the Texas DUA weekly maximum is capped at $378 (it increased slightly from last year). Even if you made more before the disaster, they won't pay above that maximum amount. It's frustrating but that's the federal limit, not something TWC controls directly.
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Dmitry Petrov
•Seriously? That's ridiculous! Nobody can live on $378 a week these days. I was under the impression DUA would replace a significant portion of my lost income. No wonder they were being vague when I called. Is there ANY way to appeal this or am I just stuck with it?
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Ava Martinez
I went thru EXACT same thing after hurricane last year!! They gave me $341/wk when I was making like $950 before at my job. Called TWC like 32 times and NEVER got thru to anyone who could explain it. Total BS system if you ask me. DUA is a JOKE compared to what they promised would "help us recover" 🤬
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Miguel Castro
•Same experience. Called for 2 weeks straight with no luck getting through to an actual person who could explain the calculation. Finally, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh that shows how it works. The agent explained that DUA max is set by federal guidelines and TWC just administers it. Still disappointing but at least I understood why.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
did you make sure to include ALL your income? they only count what you can prove with proper documentation. maybe you're missing something they could add to calculation?
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Dmitry Petrov
•I sent them everything - my complete tax return from last year, all my 1099 forms, and even bank statements showing my deposits. The determination letter just had the amount with no explanation of how they calculated it. I'm trying to figure out if I'm missing something or if this really is the maximum they can pay.
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Connor Byrne
To clarify some misinformation in this thread - DUA benefits in Texas ARE capped at a lower rate than regular unemployment. For 2025, the maximum DUA weekly benefit amount is $378, while regular UI max is $641. This is because DUA is a federal program with different funding and guidelines than state unemployment. The only appeal option would be if they incorrectly calculated your pre-disaster earnings or used the wrong quarters of income for the calculation. If you earned more than would qualify for the maximum, an appeal won't increase your benefit - you'll already be at the federal cap.
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Ava Martinez
•And THATS why the whole system is garbage! How are ppl supposed to recover from a DISASTER on less than half their normal income??? The government acts like theyre helping but its a joke.
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Dmitry Petrov
•Thanks for explaining this clearly. The TWC website is so confusing about the difference between regular UI and DUA. Is there any additional disaster assistance I can apply for to supplement this? FEMA maybe? I'm trying to piece together enough to cover basics until my workplace reopens.
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Yara Elias
just wondering if u tried applying for regular unemployment instead of DUA? sometimes u can qualify for both and they give u the higher amount
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Connor Byrne
•This is incorrect. You cannot receive both regular UI and DUA for the same period. If you qualify for regular UI, you MUST use those benefits first. DUA is only available to those who don't qualify for regular unemployment. The TWC system automatically checks eligibility for regular UI before processing a DUA claim.
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Dmitry Petrov
•I'm self-employed (contractor) so I wasn't eligible for regular unemployment - that's why I applied for DUA in the first place. Wish the regular UI was an option because it pays so much better!
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QuantumQuasar
i got DUA after the 2023 wildfire and had same problem... tried calling for weeks with no luck... finally my state rep's office helped me get through to TWC. try calling your state representative's office, sometimes they have direct lines to TWC case managers. didn't get me more money but at least got an explanation!
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Dmitry Petrov
•That's a good idea - I hadn't thought of contacting my state rep. At this point I just want a clear explanation of how they calculated my benefit amount and confirmation that I'm getting the maximum I'm eligible for. Thanks for the suggestion!
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StarSurfer
One other thing to consider - you should also look into FEMA's Individual Assistance program if you haven't already. It won't provide ongoing weekly income like DUA, but can help with disaster-related expenses. And definitely check if your county has any local disaster relief funds available. Many communities set up special programs after major disasters that can supplement the federal benefits.
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Dmitry Petrov
•I did register with FEMA right after the disaster but haven't heard anything back yet. I'll follow up with them tomorrow. I'll also check with the county - hadn't thought about local assistance. Thanks for these suggestions, every bit helps while trying to get back on my feet.
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