TWC Self-Employment application - where to input my business information?
I'm trying to file for unemployment as a self-employed person and I'm really confused about where I'm supposed to enter my business information. When I go through the application, it keeps asking for employer info like it assumes I worked for someone else. Does the TWC system give me options specifically for entering self-employment details? I ran a small photography business for 3 years before it went under last month, and I need to make sure I'm filling everything out correctly. Has anyone here filed as self-employed recently? What did the screens look like for you?
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Natasha Petrov
same thing happened to me with my construction business! the system is super confusing for self employed ppl. almost gave up tbh
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Javier Morales
•Did you eventually figure it out? I'm worried I'll get denied if I don't put the right information in the right places.
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Connor O'Brien
When you file as self-employed, you'll need to enter yourself as the employer. Look for a section asking if you were self-employed or a business owner. You'll need to provide your business name, EIN if you had one (or your SSN), and your business address (which may be your home address). The system will also ask about your business income, which you should have from your tax returns. Make sure to have your Schedule C from your taxes handy - they may ask for information from that form.
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Javier Morales
•Thank you! I do have my Schedule C ready. Do they ask for the actual income numbers from specific lines on the tax form?
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Connor O'Brien
•Yes, they typically want your net profit from Schedule C (Line 31). They might also ask about your gross receipts (Line 1). The system uses these numbers to calculate your benefit amount. Just be prepared to provide documentation if they request it later - they often do for self-employed claims.
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Amina Diallo
I filed as self-employed last year and it was a NIGHTMARE. The TWC system is NOT designed well for us!! When you get to the employer section, you can select "self-employed" but then it still asks for all these weird employer details that don't make sense. I ended up calling like 50 times before I finally got through to someone who explained it to me. They told me to put my business name as my first and last name + "sole proprietor" (like "John Smith Sole Proprietor") unless you had an official business name. For the address, use your home address if that's where you worked from.
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Javier Morales
•I've been trying to call but can't get through to anyone. Did you just keep calling the main number over and over?
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Amina Diallo
•Yep, called the main number over and over for THREE DAYS!!! It was insane. I started calling right when they opened each day at 8am and just kept redialing whenever I got the busy signal. Eventually got through around 10am on the third day. The wait is ridiculous.
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GamerGirl99
I know this process can be frustrating. As others have mentioned, there is an option to select self-employment, but it's not very intuitive. When you get to the employer section, select "Yes" when asked if you were self-employed. You'll need to provide: 1. Your business name (or your name + "self-employed") 2. Business address 3. EIN (if you had one) or your SSN 4. Dates of operation 5. Reason for closure (important for qualification) Also, be prepared for additional documentation requests. TWC typically requires more verification for self-employed individuals. They'll likely want to see your tax returns (especially Schedule C) for the base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
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Javier Morales
•This is really helpful, thank you! For the reason for closure, my business dried up because of rising costs and fewer clients. Is there a specific way I should phrase this that won't cause problems with my claim?
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GamerGirl99
•For the reason for closure, be honest but clear that the business closed due to economic factors beyond your control. Something like "Business closure due to economic conditions and insufficient customer base to sustain operations" would work. Avoid anything that might suggest it was a voluntary closure for personal convenience, as that could affect eligibility.
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Hiroshi Nakamura
I was in your exact situation last month trying to file for my graphic design business. The phone lines were constantly busy and I kept getting disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected 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 agent walked me through exactly how to enter my self-employment information and even helped me understand what documentation I'd need later in the process. Made things much easier than trying to figure it out alone.
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Javier Morales
•I've never heard of this service before. Is it legitimate? I'm a bit wary of giving out my information to third parties.
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Hiroshi Nakamura
•It's completely legitimate - they just help you get through to TWC faster. You still talk directly with the actual TWC agents, Claimyr just helps you bypass the busy signals. I was skeptical too but was desperate after two days of constant busy signals. The TWC agent I spoke with was super helpful with all my self-employment questions.
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Isabella Costa
lol everyone giving all this detailed advice but the truth is TWC doesn't even WANT to give benefits to self employed people. they make it hard on purpose. my cousin tried for months and got denied even tho his business closed cuz of legit reasons. its all a big scam tbh
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GamerGirl99
•This isn't accurate. While the process can be frustrating, self-employed individuals can qualify for regular TWC benefits if they paid unemployment taxes on their wages. Additionally, if your business closed due to circumstances beyond your control (not due to performance issues or simply deciding to close), you should be eligible. The key is proper documentation and clearly explaining why your business closed. Many self-employed individuals successfully receive benefits each year.
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Malik Jenkins
I had to file for my food truck business in January. When you get to the employer section there is definitely an option for self-employed! What I did was I typed in my business name where it asks for employer, then when it asks for the address I used my home address because that's where my business was registered. But the most important thing is that you need to have paid unemployment taxes through your business to qualify for regular benefits. Did you pay yourself a salary and pay unemployment taxes?
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Javier Morales
•I didn't pay myself a formal salary - I just took owner's draws. Does that mean I won't qualify? I did pay all my self-employment taxes though.
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Malik Jenkins
•Self-employment tax is different from unemployment tax. If you were just taking owner's draws and not paying unemployment tax on wages, you might not qualify for regular benefits. But still apply! The worst they can say is no, and sometimes there are special programs. Just be super honest about your situation when you apply.
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GamerGirl99
•This is correct. To qualify for regular unemployment benefits, you would typically need to have paid unemployment taxes on wages. If you only took owner's draws, you might not qualify for regular UI. However, in some situations, there are special programs available, so it's still worth applying and being completely honest about your situation. TWC will determine your eligibility based on your specific circumstances and the programs currently available.
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Natasha Petrov
anybody know if u can still get benefits if u still do like a little bit of self employment work? i still get like one small job a month but not enough to live on
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Connor O'Brien
•Yes, you can still receive partial unemployment benefits while doing some self-employment work. You'll need to report any income you earn each time you request payment. TWC will deduct a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit amount. Just be sure to accurately report all income - if you earn over a certain amount (around 25% more than your weekly benefit), you might not receive benefits for that week, but you'll still keep your claim active.
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Javier Morales
Thank you all for the helpful advice! I just completed my application and found the self-employment option after clicking through a few screens. For anyone else in this situation: there's a specific question that asks if you were self-employed, and after selecting "Yes," it takes you to screens tailored for business owners. I entered my business name, used my home address since that was my business address, and made sure to clearly explain that the business closed due to economic conditions. Now I'm just waiting on the determination letter. I'll update once I hear back!
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GamerGirl99
•Great job completing your application! Be prepared for TWC to request additional documentation about your business closure and your income. They typically send these requests via mail or through your online account. Respond promptly with all requested documents to avoid delays in processing your claim. And remember to complete your work search requirements while waiting for your determination.
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Javier Morales
•Will do! I've started keeping track of my work search activities already. Is it still 3 per week for Texas? And do they have to be in the same field as my photography business, or can I apply for different types of jobs?
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GamerGirl99
•Yes, Texas still requires 3 work search activities per week. They don't have to be in the same field as your photography business - you can apply for any suitable work that matches your skills and experience. Just be sure to log all activities in your TWC account. Each work search activity should include the employer name, contact information, position applied for, and application date. Save copies of job applications or email confirmations as proof in case TWC requests verification.
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