TWC Unemployment: Tips for reaching a real person on the phone?

I found a way to solve contacting unemployment office staff, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvBgHTu-Gxk

Has anyone tried using the online portal? I heard they updated it recently and it's supposed to be better now. Might be worth a shot before spending hours on the phone.

Have you tried contacting your local state representative? Sometimes they can help push things through or at least get you in touch with someone who can actually do something. Worth a shot if you're really stuck.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I'll definitely try calling right when they open. And I might look into that calling service if I get really desperate. It's just so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get what we're entitled to.

Plot twist: the unemployment office is actually run by a bunch of hamsters on wheels. When the wheels stop, that's when the phone lines open up. 🐹🎡 It all makes sense now!

yall ever think about how were all just rats in a maze trying to get our cheese? 🐀🧀 unemployment office is the maze master laughing at us

I feel your pain, OP. The unemployment system is a total nightmare right now. I spent weeks trying to get through before I finally got lucky. My advice? Keep calling first thing in the morning, right when they open. It's still a long shot, but that's when I had the most success.

Ugh, I'm in the same boat. Been trying for a month now. It's like they don't want us to get our benefits 🙄 The whole system is broken af

Pro tip: use multiple phones if you can. I had my cell, work phone, and landline all going at once. Increases your chances of getting through!

Hey OP, hang in there. I know it feels hopeless sometimes, but keep pushing. We're all rooting for you. This too shall pass. ❤️

If you're considering Claimyr, it's a service that has reportedly helped many people bypass the long wait times. It's not a guaranteed solution for everyone, and the $20 fee can be a barrier, but for some, it's worth the investment to save time and sanity. However, it's always important to weigh your options and perhaps try the free methods first, such as emailing or trying the online portal. If those don't work, services like Claimyr could be a worthy alternative.

I found a method that actually works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U

unpopular opinion: maybe if we all got jobs we wouldn't have to deal with this bs 🤷‍♂️

Here's a detailed breakdown of what worked for me after 2 months of trying: 1. Call exactly at 8:00:00 AM when they open 2. If you get the "too many callers" message, hang up and immediately redial 3. Repeat step 2 for about 30-45 minutes (I know, it sucks) 4. If you get through, DO NOT press any buttons. Wait for a human. 5. Be super nice to the person who answers. They're dealing with angry people all day. 6. Have all your info ready: claim number, dates, any letters you've received, etc. It's a pain, but this method eventually got me through. Good luck!

Guys, I'm telling you, EMAIL is the way to go. I know it sounds old school, but I sent a detailed email explaining my situation and got a response within 48 hours. Try [unemployment_office_email@state.gov](mailto:unemployment_office_email@state.gov) (replace with your state's actual email). Worth a shot!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that finally worked for me after 6 weeks of trying. I combined a few of the strategies mentioned here: I called right at 8 AM sharp using the redial method that @Ethan Moore described, but I also sent an email the night before explaining my situation in detail. I think the email might have flagged my case or something because when I finally got through on the phone, they already had some notes about my issue. It's like a one-two punch approach. Don't give up, OP - persistence really does pay off eventually! 🙏

I've been lurking here for weeks trying to figure out my own unemployment mess, and this thread is honestly a goldmine of info! Just wanted to add that I had success using a combination of calling right at 8 AM AND having my spouse call from their phone at the same time. We both got through to the queue within 10 minutes (after about 20 redials each), and I was the lucky one who got picked up first. The rep told me they've been getting double the usual call volume, so it really is just a numbers game. Also pro tip: if you do get disconnected while on hold (happened to me twice 😭), don't panic - call back immediately and mention you were disconnected. They have notes and can sometimes expedite you. Hang in there everyone, the system is broken but we'll get through this together! 💪

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - been trying to get through for 3 weeks now and it's driving me crazy. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM sharp calling method with multiple phones, and the email + phone combo approach sounds genius. One thing I wanted to add: I heard from a friend that some local workforce centers have direct lines that might be less busy than the main number. Has anyone tried going through their local office instead? It might be worth checking if your area has one. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's nice to know I'm not alone in this struggle! 🙏