TWC application confusion: How to reapply after returning to work then getting laid off again?

You don't actually need to file a new claim! This is a common situation. Since your benefit year (12 months from your January application) hasn't expired yet, you can just start requesting payments again on your existing claim. TWC calls this "reopening" your claim. Log into your TWC account, go to the payment request section, and choose the option to reopen your claim. You'll need to provide information about your most recent employment, including the reason for separation. As long as this new layoff qualifies you for benefits, you should be able to start receiving payments again. The system will automatically calculate any remaining benefits from your original claim.

The same thing happened to me last year! It's so confusing. I was told I had to call them because I missed more than 3 payment requests in a row. The website won't let you restart it yourself after that much time has passed.

u need 2 call them ASAP cuz ur old claim is probably still active but on hold. the website wont work 4 this. and b prepared for them 2 ask why u didnt report ur job in march, just tell them u didnt know.

I was in this exact situation and spent days trying to reach TWC with no luck. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a TWC agent in less than 30 minutes! They basically keep calling on your behalf until they get through, then connect you. Saved me from spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. After I finally got through, the agent was able to reactivate my claim and I just had to answer questions about my recent employment.

It's definitely legit. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days. They don't do anything magical - they just have an automated system that keeps calling TWC until it gets through, then connects you. Saved me hours of frustration.

To clarify some confusion in this thread: When you stop requesting payments for more than 3 weeks, your claim becomes inactive. Since you're still in the same benefit year (which runs for 52 weeks from your initial claim date), you don't file a new application - you reactivate your existing claim. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call TWC at 800-939-6631 2. Select the option to speak with a representative about your claim 3. Tell them you need to reactivate your claim after returning to work and being laid off again 4. They'll ask for details about your most recent employment 5. Be honest about not reporting your March employment - this happens often Regarding your benefits: You'll receive whatever balance remained from your original claim. If you exhausted those benefits or your new employment would qualify you for a higher benefit amount, ask the representative if you might qualify for a new claim based on more recent wages.

You won't be penalized for not reporting your employment as long as you didn't request any benefit payments after you started working. Since you mentioned you stopped requesting payments when you found work, you should be fine. TWC only considers it fraud if you claimed benefits while working and not reporting those wages. Just be completely honest with the representative about your work history and dates when you speak with them.

The TWC system is TERRIBLE about explaining this process!!! I went through this exact nightmare scenario last year and wasted TWO WEEKS trying to figure it out. When I finally got through to someone, they acted like I should have magically known all their stupid procedures. The online system should clearly explain what to do if you get a job and then lose it again! I swear they intentionally make it confusing so people give up and don't collect benefits they're entitled to!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC this morning! For anyone who might have the same problem in the future: I called exactly at 8:00 AM and only had to wait about 20 minutes. The rep explained that since I stopped claiming when I got the job in March, everything was fine. My original claim from January was still valid, and I just needed to reactivate it. They asked about my most recent employment history and why I was laid off. The rep filed a new "additional claim" (that's what they call it) on my original claim. She said I should be able to request payment next week and will receive whatever balance I had left from my original claim. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great update Joy! This is exactly the kind of follow-up that helps the whole community. I went through a similar situation a few months ago and wish I had found a thread like this. The "additional claim" terminology is confusing - TWC really needs to improve their communication about these processes. For future reference for anyone reading this, if you're in the same boat, definitely try calling right at 8 AM. I've found that's consistently the best time to get through to them. Also, don't stress too much about not reporting employment when you stop claiming - as long as you weren't fraudulently collecting benefits while working, they're usually pretty understanding about honest mistakes.

Connor, you're in great hands with this thread! I just went through something similar earlier this year - got laid off, found temp work for a few months, then got laid off again. The key thing is that as long as you're still within your original benefit year (which sounds like you are since you filed in December), you can absolutely reactivate your existing claim rather than starting over. When you call, make sure to have your employment dates and separation reason ready for the most recent job. The TWC rep will walk you through everything, but having those details handy speeds up the process. Also, don't be discouraged if you don't get through on your first try at 8 AM - sometimes it takes a few attempts even at the best times. Good luck tomorrow!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's crazy how TWC's website doesn't clearly explain the reactivation process - you'd think they'd have a simple FAQ about what to do when you return to work and then get laid off again. Joy's experience shows that being honest and calling at 8 AM really does work. For anyone else reading this, it sounds like the key points are: 1) You can reactivate within your benefit year instead of filing new, 2) Have your recent employment details ready, 3) Be upfront about not reporting previous employment if you stopped claiming, and 4) Ask specifically about an "additional claim" if the rep seems confused. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is way more useful than the official TWC guidance!

This thread is absolutely golden! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed in October, worked for about 6 weeks in December/January, and just got laid off again last Friday. I was completely lost about whether I needed to file a new claim or what. Joy's update about the "additional claim" process is exactly what I needed to hear! I'm definitely going to try calling at 8 AM tomorrow armed with all the info from this thread. It's honestly ridiculous that TWC's website doesn't make any of this clear - you shouldn't need to hunt through community forums to understand basic processes. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who came back with updates after getting things resolved!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently in a similar situation - filed my claim last November, worked from January through March, and just got laid off again two weeks ago. I was completely panicking thinking I'd have to start over with a whole new application. Joy's update about the "additional claim" process and everyone's advice about calling at 8 AM has given me so much confidence going into this. It's honestly shocking how poorly TWC explains these processes on their website. You'd think something as common as "work for a while then get laid off again" would have clear instructions somewhere! I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning with all the info from this thread. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable when the official resources fall short!