TWC approved my benefits but zero dollars paid and can't get payment method fixed - HELP!

omg this EXACT thing happened to me in January!!! the system is completely broken and nobody cares. i waited 6 WEEKS before i finally got through to someone. turns out there was a 'payment hold' on my account that nobody bothered to tell me about and they needed additional verification documents. check your correspondence inbox for any letters requesting additional info - sometimes they don't even email you when they add something new.

This is a common issue with the ReliaCard system right now. When it says you've been paid but shows $0, it usually means one of three things: 1. Your ReliaCard is actually in transit but USPS is delayed (taking 3-4 weeks lately) 2. There's an identity verification flag on your account that needs clearing 3. Your payment method selection didn't properly process The fastest solution is reaching an actual TWC rep. Try calling at exactly 7:00am when the lines open - that's when I finally got through. Also make sure you're calling the correct benefit payment line (800-558-8321) not the general helpline. Select option 2 for payment status, then 4 to speak to a representative.

has anyone else noticed they NEVER answer on fridays? like ever? i swear they all go home early on fridays lolol

I was in the exact same situation last month. After two weeks of constant calling, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes. You can see a video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The agent explained that there was a system glitch showing my payment as processed when actually my ReliaCard hadn't been issued yet. They had to manually trigger the card issuance and fixed my account to show the true status. My card arrived 8 days later with all my benefits loaded.

Let me clear up some confusion about the $0 payment issue, as I work with unemployment claimants regularly: When your portal shows a payment was issued but the amount is $0, this is almost always related to one of these issues: 1. You're approved for benefits but there's a payment method problem (most likely) 2. Your identity verification hasn't fully cleared in the system 3. There's a pending issue that wasn't properly coded in the system This isn't the same as a payment hold, which would show differently in your portal. For the ReliaCard specifically, TWC contracts with U.S. Bank, and sometimes there are synchronization issues between their systems. The card may be in process but not showing properly in your account. The most effective solution is speaking directly with the Payment Services department, not the general TWC line. Call 800-558-8321 and use option 2, then 4 to request a representative. Tuesday through Thursday between 10am-11:30am tends to have the shortest wait times based on what my clients report.

Yes, you can contact U.S. Bank ReliaCard customer service directly at 800-657-6343. However, they can only help if your card has already been issued in their system. If the card issuance hasn't been properly processed from the TWC side, U.S. Bank won't have any record of you yet. Another option: TWC has a dedicated email for payment method issues: TWC.BPC_Debit_Card@twc.texas.gov Include your full name, last 4 of SSN, and claim ID in the email along with a description of the issue. They typically respond within 3-5 business days, which is often faster than reaching someone by phone.

This payment system is COMPLETE GARBAGE! I got approved in February and didn't see a DIME until April!!! Nobody at TWC cares AT ALL about us. They lost my ReliaCard request TWICE and then blamed ME for not "following up sooner" when I called EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! This state hates unemployed people and makes everything as difficult as possible on purpose to discourage people from collecting what they're owed. And don't even get me started on the work search requirements...

Quick update on payment method issues - TWC just introduced a new feature in the portal that allows you to check your ReliaCard status directly. Look for "Payment Method Details" under the Claim and Payment Status section. If it shows "ReliaCard processing" that means the card request has been sent to U.S. Bank but hasn't been mailed yet. Also, make sure your mailing address is 100% correct in the system. Even small differences like "Street" vs "St" can cause delivery problems. If you need to update your address, you'll need to speak with a TWC representative before the card is mailed, as U.S. Bank won't have your information to verify identity for address changes until the card is active.

whatever you do DON'T request a new card if you havent gotten the first one yet!!! it cancels the first one and then you have to start the waiting process all over again ask me how i know 😭

3 weeks for the first card (that never came), then another 3 weeks for the replacement! nearly 7 weeks total with no money. i was about to be evicted when it finally showed up

UPDATE: I tried the payment services number that was suggested (800-558-8321) and after 17 calls I finally got through! The agent confirmed there was a system glitch where my payment method wasn't properly recorded even though I had selected ReliaCard. They had to manually trigger the card issuance and said I should receive it within 7-10 business days. They also said my benefits will all be loaded once the card arrives. For anyone else facing this issue, definitely use the specific payment services number rather than the general TWC line. Also, calling at 10:15am on a Wednesday worked for me after multiple failed attempts at 7am. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Glad it worked out! If anyone else is struggling to get through on the phone, seriously consider using Claimyr. After weeks of frustration, it was worth it to finally get connected to a human at TWC who could actually help me.

So glad you got it resolved @Alice Fleming! I just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread - if you're still having trouble getting through to TWC, try calling from a different phone number. I know it sounds weird, but I swear they have some kind of system that flags numbers that call too frequently. I was getting nowhere with my cell phone after dozens of calls, but when I borrowed my neighbor's landline I got through on the third try. Could be coincidence but worth a shot if you're desperate! Also, I've noticed they seem to answer faster if you don't use the callback feature - just stay on hold even though it's painful.

Just wanted to share another tip that helped me when I was dealing with a similar payment issue last year - if you have a local TWC office near you, sometimes showing up in person can be more effective than calling. I know it's not convenient, but I drove to my local office after weeks of phone frustration and they were able to resolve my ReliaCard issue the same day. The in-person staff have access to some system functions that the phone reps don't, or at least they seemed more willing to dig deeper into the problem. You'll need to bring your ID and any correspondence from TWC, but it might be worth the trip if you're still stuck after trying all the phone strategies. Some offices also have dedicated unemployment specialists on certain days of the week, so call ahead to check their schedule.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been approved for 2 weeks but showing $0 paid and no ReliaCard received. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there was a specific payment services number to call instead of the main TWC line. I've been wasting so much time calling the wrong number! Going to try the 800-558-8321 number tomorrow morning and also send an email to that TWC.BPC_Debit_Card@twc.texas.gov address. It's reassuring to know this is a common system glitch and not something wrong with my specific claim. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I had the ReliaCard issue - if you're getting desperate and need money immediately, you can ask TWC to issue a paper check for your first payment while you wait for the ReliaCard to arrive. It takes longer (usually 7-10 business days) but at least you'll have something coming. You have to specifically request this when you talk to a representative though - they won't offer it automatically. I did this for my first two weeks of benefits and then switched to the ReliaCard once it finally arrived. The paper check option isn't well-publicized but it's available for situations exactly like this. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of every call you make - date, time, representative name if you get one, and what they told you. This helped me when I had to escalate my case to a supervisor.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been approved for unemployment for almost a month but stuck in the $0 payment limbo with no ReliaCard. This thread has been a lifesaver - I had no clue about the specific payment services number (800-558-8321) or that email address for debit card issues. I've been banging my head against the wall calling the main TWC line and getting nowhere. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I found out from a friend who works at a credit union that sometimes the issue isn't just with TWC's system but also with how your bank account info gets transmitted to US Bank for the ReliaCard setup. If you have any special characters in your name or address (like apostrophes, hyphens, or apartment designations), it can cause the automated systems to reject the setup. Might be worth mentioning to the TWC rep if you get through. Going to try calling that payment services line first thing Tuesday morning and also send that email tonight. Fingers crossed! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we know we're not going crazy and this is a widespread system problem.

I'm dealing with this EXACT same issue right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Been approved for 2 weeks, showing $0 paid, no ReliaCard received. I had no idea there was a dedicated payment services line - I've been calling the main TWC number like an idiot and getting nowhere. Just wanted to add something that might help others - if you're really desperate for cash while waiting for the ReliaCard situation to get resolved, some local food banks and churches have emergency assistance programs that can help with rent/utilities. I know it's not ideal but it's better than getting evicted. The Salvation Army in my area helped me with $200 toward rent last month when I was waiting for my claim to get approved. Going to try that 800-558-8321 number tomorrow morning and also send an email to TWC.BPC_Debit_Card@twc.texas.gov. The Tuesday/Wednesday mid-morning strategy seems to be the consensus from everyone who actually got through. Will update if I have any luck!

I'm so sorry you're going through this @Alice Fleming - the TWC payment system issues are absolutely infuriating! I went through something similar last fall and it took nearly a month to resolve. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track every attempt: date/time called, number used, how long I waited, outcome, etc. It sounds tedious but it helped me identify patterns (like Tuesdays around 10:30am seemed to work better) and gave me concrete data when I finally got through to a supervisor. Also, if you haven't already, try downloading the TWC mobile app. Sometimes the payment method options work better through the app than the desktop portal - I was able to switch to direct deposit through the app after the website kept giving me error messages. The stress of not knowing when your money will come while bills pile up is the worst part. You're not alone in this and it WILL get resolved eventually. Keep us posted on how the payment services number works out for you!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation right now! Approved 2 weeks ago, showing $0 paid, no ReliaCard in sight. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there was a specific payment services line (800-558-8321) instead of the main TWC number I've been calling endlessly. One small thing to add that helped me stay sane during this process - I started using the TWC chat feature on their website during off-peak hours (like 2-3pm). While they can't fix payment issues, they can at least confirm your claim status and sometimes explain what's happening behind the scenes. It's not a solution but it helped reduce my anxiety about whether something was seriously wrong with my claim. Also, for anyone else reading this - make sure to screenshot everything in your portal showing the $0 payment issue. If you end up needing to escalate to a supervisor or file a complaint, having visual proof of the system glitch really helps your case. Going to try that Tuesday 10:30am calling strategy everyone's mentioned. Thanks for sharing your resolution @Alice Fleming - gives me hope this nightmare will end soon!

Just wanted to jump in here because I literally JUST got my ReliaCard issue resolved yesterday after 5 weeks of the same nightmare! Reading through this thread brings back all the frustration - the $0 payments showing as "paid," endless busy signals, that awful feeling of panic when rent is due and you can't access your benefits. Here's what finally worked for me: I called that payment services number (800-558-8321) at exactly 10:47am on a Wednesday. Took 23 minutes on hold but I got through to someone who immediately saw the issue - my ReliaCard request had been "stuck in pending status" since my approval. She said it's happening to thousands of people right now due to some integration problem between TWC and US Bank's systems. The key things that helped: 1) Stay on the line, don't use callback 2) Have your claim ID and last 4 of SSN ready 3) Ask them to check your "payment method processing status" specifically - not just general payment status 4) If they say everything looks fine, ask them to refresh/resubmit your ReliaCard request manually. Also wanted to mention - once my card finally arrived, all my back benefits were loaded immediately. So you won't lose any money, just the stress of waiting! Hang in there everyone dealing with this - it WILL get resolved!

I'm so relieved to see this thread and know I'm not going crazy! I've been dealing with the exact same issue for 2 weeks now - approved benefits showing $0 paid even though the status says "paid." I've been calling the main TWC line and getting absolutely nowhere, but reading everyone's experiences here has given me a clear action plan. I had no idea about the specific payment services number (800-558-8321) or that email address for debit card issues (TWC.BPC_Debit_Card@twc.texas.gov). I'm definitely going to try both tomorrow. The timing tips are really helpful too - seems like Tuesday/Wednesday mid-morning is the consensus for actually getting through to someone. It's honestly both frustrating and comforting to see how widespread this ReliaCard system glitch is. At least now I know it's not something wrong with my specific claim. The stress of watching bills pile up while your approved benefits sit in limbo is just awful. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - especially the detailed explanations about payment method processing status and the US Bank direct contact info. This community is a lifesaver when the official system is completely broken!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been approved for 3 weeks but stuck in the $0 payment black hole with no ReliaCard in sight. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no clue about the dedicated payment services line (800-558-8321) or that specific email for card issues. I've been wasting weeks calling the general TWC number like everyone else. What really stands out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how this seems to be a massive system-wide glitch affecting thousands of people, not individual account problems. The fact that so many of us have the exact same symptoms (approved claim, "paid" status showing $0, no ReliaCard received) suggests there's a serious integration issue between TWC and US Bank's systems that they're either not acknowledging or not prioritizing to fix. I'm definitely going to try the Tuesday/Wednesday 10:30am calling strategy with that payment services number, and I'll use @Oliver Alexander's magic phrase about checking "payment method processing status" specifically. Also sending an email to TWC.BPC_Debit_Card@twc.texas.gov tonight with all my details. The stress of having approved benefits trapped in digital limbo while real bills pile up is absolutely crushing. But seeing people actually get their issues resolved after weeks of persistence gives me hope. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - this community support means everything when the official system completely fails us!

I've been following this thread closely as someone who went through a similar ReliaCard nightmare earlier this year, and I wanted to add a few tips that might help people who are still stuck: 1. **Document EVERYTHING** - Take screenshots of your portal showing $0 payments with "paid" status, save confirmation numbers from any calls where you actually reach someone, and keep records of all correspondence. This becomes crucial if you need to escalate or file a complaint later. 2. **Try the "three-call rule"** - If you get through to someone who says "everything looks fine" but your issue isn't actually resolved, politely end the call and try again. Different reps have different system access levels and troubleshooting abilities. I had to call three times before finding someone who could actually see the ReliaCard processing error in my account. 3. **Ask about expedited processing** - Once they identify the issue, ask if they can mark your case for expedited processing. Some reps can flag your account to prioritize your ReliaCard issuance, especially if you've been waiting longer than the standard timeframe. 4. **Alternative contact method** - If you're really stuck, try reaching out to your state representative's office. Many have constituent services staff who can help escalate TWC issues. It sounds dramatic, but when you're facing eviction because of a system glitch, it's worth trying every avenue. The fact that so many people are experiencing this exact same issue is unacceptable, but at least we have each other to share solutions. Hang in there everyone - persistence really does pay off with these system issues!