TWC benefits during the gap between job start date and first paycheck - do they continue?

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.

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

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?

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!

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 😡

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.

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.

maybe ask ur new boss for an advance?? some companies do that for new employees

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!

I went through this exact same situation last year! It's definitely frustrating, but I found a few things that helped me get through those 3 weeks: 1) Contact your utility companies and explain the situation - many have hardship programs or will defer payment, 2) Food banks can really help stretch your budget during this time, 3) Some credit unions offer small emergency loans if you're a member, 4) Ask family/friends if they need any odd jobs done for cash. Also, keep all your job offer paperwork - some assistance programs will accept that as proof of upcoming income. The gap sucks but you'll get through it! Congrats on the new job!

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation too! Started my new job this week and won't see a paycheck for another two weeks. What I've learned is that you absolutely have to report your start date when you do your payment request - TWC will find out eventually through wage records anyway. But here's something that might help: if you have any vacation days or PTO from your previous job that you haven't been paid out for, you might be able to get that processed quickly to help bridge the gap. Also, some employers will do a small advance on your first paycheck if you explain the situation - it doesn't hurt to ask HR once you start. The transition period is really tough but hang in there!

Hey Laura, congrats on landing the job! I know this situation is stressful - I went through the same thing about 6 months ago. One thing that really helped me was reaching out to local churches and community organizations. Even if you're not religious, many churches have emergency assistance funds specifically for situations like this. I got a $200 grocery card from one church and help with my electric bill from another community group. Also, check if your city has any emergency rental assistance programs - some will help with rent if you can show proof of employment starting soon. The United Way in most areas can connect you with local resources too. It's tough to ask for help, but these programs exist exactly for situations like yours. You've got this - just a few more weeks until that first paycheck!

I'm going through something similar right now - just started a new job last week and won't get my first check for another 10 days. What's been helping me is creating a detailed budget for exactly what I need to survive these next couple weeks vs what can wait. I also called my credit card company and they gave me a small temporary credit limit increase since I could show proof of employment. Another thing - if you have any items you can sell quickly (old electronics, clothes, etc.), now might be the time. Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp have been decent for quick cash. The financial stress is real but remember this is just temporary - once you get that first paycheck and get on the regular pay cycle, you'll be so much better off than you were on unemployment. You've got this!

I'm a former TWC employee and want to clarify something important that might help with your planning. While it's true that benefits stop on your work start date, there's one detail that sometimes gets overlooked: if you're starting work mid-week during your benefit week, you can still claim partial benefits for the days you didn't work in that week. For example, if your benefit week runs Sunday-Saturday and you start work on Wednesday, you can claim benefits for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of that week. This won't solve the whole 3-week gap, but it might give you a few extra days of coverage. Also, make sure you understand exactly when your benefit week starts and ends - this timing could make a difference in maximizing your final payment. Best of luck with the new job!