TWC application confusion - Do I need to request payment before approval? Applied June 1st

YES! This is super important - you need to request payment even while your claim is still pending approval. TWC won't automatically pay you for those weeks unless you've requested them, even if your claim eventually gets approved. Make sure you're requesting payment on your assigned day (based on the last digit of your SSN) every two weeks. If you miss requesting payments, you could lose those weeks of benefits completely.

when i filed last year i didnt request payments until after approval and they let me do back requests. just called and explained i was waiting for approval first. dont panic

You absolutely need to be requesting payment every two weeks starting from when you first applied, regardless of whether your claim has been approved yet. This is one of the most common mistakes people make with TWC! If your claim gets approved, they will pay you for those weeks you requested (minus the waiting week). If you don't request payment for those weeks, you won't get paid for them, even if your claim is eventually approved. Since you mentioned you missed your payment request date, you should try to request payment ASAP. You usually have a 3-day grace period. If it's been longer, you might need to call TWC and explain the situation. They sometimes make exceptions for first-time claimants who didn't understand the process.

I had this exact same problem last month! Tried calling TWC for DAYS and couldn't get through. I finally used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a TWC rep in about 20 minutes. I was skeptical but it seriously worked when nothing else did. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The agent I spoke with was able to allow me to request my missed payment weeks since it was my first time filing and I didn't understand the process. Hope this helps!

They just asked why I missed it, and I honestly told them I was confused about the process and thought I needed to wait for approval first. The rep was understanding - said it happens all the time with first-time claimants. Just be honest and polite when you explain.

THIS IS WHY THE TWC SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN!!! They expect you to follow all these specific rules without CLEARLY explaining them when you apply. I lost 3 weeks of benefits last year because of this exact issue and they refused to help me. The website should have GIANT RED LETTERS saying you need to request payment regardless of claim status!!! It's like they WANT people to mess up so they don't have to pay benefits. 😡

Something else to know - when your claim is approved, they'll mail you a Benefits Determination letter that shows your weekly benefit amount. It should also tell you what day to request payment based on the last digit of your SSN. Make sure you're also doing the required 3 work search activities each week and documenting them. They can ask for proof of those at any time. I know this process is super confusing at first! I made so many mistakes with my claim last year. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes routine.

Yes, things like updating your resume on WorkInTexas, attending workforce center workshops, and creating job alerts can count as work search activities. Here's the full list TWC accepts: https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/work-search-requirements-unemployment-benefits Just make sure you're keeping track of all your activities with dates and details in case they audit you. A lot of people get caught off guard when TWC randomly asks for proof of their work search activities.

I finally got through to TWC this morning! The agent was able to help me request the missed payment weeks since I'm a first-time claimant. She said my claim is actually approved now - the determination letter was mailed on Friday but hasn't arrived yet. She verified my weekly benefit amount is $437 and explained the payment schedule. Thank you everyone for your help! Now I understand how important it is to keep requesting payments every two weeks regardless of claim status.

So glad you got through and got everything sorted out! Your experience is exactly why I always tell people to start requesting payments immediately after filing. The TWC system is confusing but once you understand the key rule - request payment every two weeks no matter what - it becomes much easier to navigate. Congrats on getting approved and getting those missed weeks back! Make sure to set reminders for your payment request dates so you don't miss any in the future.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and still showing "pending" but I've been diligently requesting payments every two weeks after reading horror stories like this online. It's so frustrating that TWC doesn't make this clearer during the application process. I actually printed out a calendar and marked my payment request dates in red ink so I wouldn't forget. For anyone else reading this - don't wait for approval, just start requesting payments immediately on your assigned day. Better safe than sorry with TWC's confusing system!

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago and it's still pending, but thanks to reading posts like this I've been requesting payments from the start. One thing I'd add for newcomers: make sure you know your exact payment request day based on your SSN. Mine ends in 3, so my day is Tuesday. I actually called the automated TWC line (800-558-8321) to confirm my schedule because I was paranoid about getting it wrong. Also, if anyone is struggling to get through to a live agent, I've had better luck calling right at 8am when they open or around 4:30pm before they close. The middle of the day seems to be when their phone lines are most jammed. Keep fighting through the system - it's frustrating but you'll get there!

This thread is absolutely invaluable for first-time filers! I wish I had found this when I started my claim. One additional tip that saved me a lot of stress: if you're having trouble with the TWC website (which crashes ALL the time), you can also request payments through the automated phone system at 800-558-8321. Sometimes when the website is down or glitching during peak hours, the phone system still works. I keep both options available just in case. Also, for anyone worried about work search requirements - the TWC mobile app actually has a built-in work search log where you can track your activities. It's much easier than keeping paper records and you can export it if they ever audit you. The key really is just understanding that payment requests and work search activities are required from day one, regardless of your claim status. Once you get into that routine, everything else falls into place!

This entire thread should be required reading for anyone filing for TWC benefits! I'm a few months into my unemployment journey and can confirm everything said here. The most stressful part was that first month when I wasn't sure if I was doing everything right. For anyone just starting out, here's my simplified checklist: 1) Request payment every two weeks on YOUR specific day (check the TWC website for the schedule based on your SSN), 2) Complete 3 work search activities every week and document them, 3) Keep calling/trying to get through if you have issues - don't give up, and 4) Set phone/calendar reminders for everything because it's easy to lose track. The system is definitely not user-friendly, but it works once you understand the routine. Also want to echo what others said about Claimyr - I used it twice when I couldn't get through and it was worth every penny to actually talk to a human. Hang in there everyone, you've got this!

As someone who went through this exact same confusion last year, I can't stress enough how important this thread is for new filers! The TWC system really does seem designed to trip people up. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're approved and start receiving benefits, they'll send you a debit card (ReliaCard) for payments rather than direct deposit unless you specifically request it. The card can take 7-10 business days to arrive after your first payment is issued, so don't panic if you see a payment posted but don't receive money immediately. Also, keep ALL your TWC correspondence - approval letters, payment summaries, everything. I had to provide documentation from months earlier when they randomly audited my work search activities. The learning curve is steep but everyone here has given excellent advice. The key really is starting those payment requests immediately and keeping meticulous records of everything!