TWC benefits during the gap between job start date and first paycheck - do they continue?
I just got a job offer (finally!!) after 4 months of unemployment, and I'm starting next Monday. I'm confused about how my benefits work during the transition period. My new employer pays biweekly, so I won't get my first paycheck until about 3 weeks after I start. Will TWC continue paying my benefits until I actually receive my first paycheck, or do the benefits stop completely on my first day of work? I'm really worried about how I'll pay my bills during those 3 weeks with no income coming in. I tried calling TWC but got the busy signal for 2 hours straight. Anyone dealt with this situation before?
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Victoria Brown
Your benefits stop when you start working, not when you get paid. You have to report your return to work date on your payment request, and TWC will stop benefits at that point. They care about when you're earning money, not when the money actually hits your account. Sorry, I know it's tough to bridge that gap.
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Laura Lopez
•Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. So there's basically a 3-week gap where I have no income at all? I'm supposed to pay rent during that time! Is there any way to explain this situation to TWC?
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Samuel Robinson
congrats on the new job! same thing happened to me in January, no unemployment during that waiting period for first check. i ate ramen for 2 weeks lol
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Laura Lopez
•Thanks... I guess I better stock up on ramen too. Just seems like such a flaw in the system, ya know?
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Camila Castillo
The official answer is that benefits stop on your start date, but there's actually a bit more nuance to this. If you're going back part-time and earning less than your weekly benefit amount, you might qualify for partial unemployment during that transition. It depends on your specific situation and how many hours you're working. Have you tried calling TWC to ask about partial benefits?
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Laura Lopez
•No, my job is full-time, so I guess that won't apply to me. And I can't get through to TWC at all, that's why I'm asking here.
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Brianna Muhammad
Okay but what if you DON'T report right away that you started working? Couldn't you just wait to tell them until you get your first check? Not like they'd know right away...just saying what a "friend" did. TWC owes us anyway after how they've treated everyone!
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Camila Castillo
•This is terrible advice that could get the person in serious trouble. TWC compares employment records with your employer, and when they discover you were working while collecting benefits (which they will), they'll hit you with an overpayment notice and possible fraud penalties. DO NOT do this.
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JaylinCharles
I was in ur EXACT situation 2 months ago! Start date was Mar 15 but first payday wasnt until April 8! I had to borrow money from my sister just to make it. The system is broken 😡
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Eloise Kendrick
•Yeah, it's a really common problem. The system is designed for the old days when people got paid weekly or even daily, not for modern biweekly or monthly pay cycles. I always tell people to save their last unemployment payment if possible to help bridge this gap.
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Lucas Schmidt
Since no one has mentioned it yet - if you're really desperate to speak with TWC about your options, I used a service called Claimyr to get through to them when I was in a similar situation. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. It helped me actually reach a human after weeks of busy signals. The agent I spoke with confirmed what others here are saying, but at least I got a definitive answer directly from TWC and could plan accordingly.
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Laura Lopez
•Thanks for the tip! I'd really like to speak with someone official to see if there are any options I'm missing. I'll check out that link.
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Camila Castillo
One other thing to consider - make sure you request your final payment for the week before you start working. You're entitled to that week, and some people forget to submit their last payment request because they're focused on the new job. Also, if your first day of work falls in the middle of a claim week, you can still get partial benefits for the days you didn't work that week.
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Laura Lopez
•That's really helpful to know! My start date is Monday, which is the beginning of a new claim week, so I guess I'll make sure to request payment for this final full week. At least that's something.
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Samuel Robinson
maybe ask ur new boss for an advance?? some companies do that for new employees
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Laura Lopez
•I'm kind of nervous to ask for special treatment before I even start the job, but I might have to if things get too tight. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Eloise Kendrick
This is a question I see all the time as a workforce specialist. To be 100% clear: unemployment benefits are not intended to bridge the gap between your start date and first paycheck. They're designed to support you while you're not earning wages, and legally, you begin earning wages on your first day of work (even if you haven't been paid yet). Here's what you need to know: 1. Report your return to work on your payment request 2. Benefits will stop as of your start date 3. You can receive benefits for partial weeks before your start date 4. Some utility companies and landlords will work with you if you explain the situation and show them your job offer letter Congratulations on your new job!
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Laura Lopez
•Thank you for explaining it so clearly. I'll definitely talk to my landlord and see if they'll be flexible with the timing. Really appreciate all the help from everyone here!
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