TWC claim newbie: $0 disbursement, next steps, and process walkthrough needed

I found a way to solve unemployment claim payment issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klAdofeB8eE

Welcome to the club, buddy! 🙃 The unemployment system can be a real maze. First things first, did you receive any notices or letters explaining why your payment was $0? Sometimes they send important info through snail mail.

I've been through this rodeo before. Here's a quick rundown: 1. After filing, there's usually a waiting week where you won't get paid. 2. You need to request payment every two weeks, even if you haven't heard back about your claim yet. 3. $0 disbursement could mean a few things: - Your claim is still being processed - There's an issue with your eligibility - You didn't report wages correctly My advice? Keep requesting payments on schedule and try to get in touch with someone at the unemployment office for specifics on your claim.

oof, $0 disbursement suuucks. been there, done that. 😭 the system is so broken, i swear they make it confusing on purpose. hang in there, OP!

Hey, I found a method to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U

Pro tip: document EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every online interaction. You never know when you'll need to prove you've been trying to resolve issues. It's saved my butt more than once!

have you checked your claim status online? sometimes the website has more up-to-date info than what they send in the mail. might give you a clue about why you got $0

Listen up, newbie. Here's what you need to know: 1. The system is a dumpster fire. Accept this now. 2. Be persistent. Call, email, check online, repeat. 3. Learn the lingo. Know the difference between your base period, benefit year, weekly benefit amount, etc. 4. Appeal EVERYTHING if you think there's been a mistake. 5. Don't give up. It's your money, fight for it. Good luck. You're gonna need it. 👊

hey quick question - when did you file your claim? if it was less than 3 weeks ago, the $0 might just mean they haven't processed it yet. happened to me and I freaked out for nothing lol

Unpopular opinion: sometimes the $0 disbursement is actually correct. Make sure you're eligible and that you reported everything accurately. Double-check your math on wages and dates. It sucks, but not everyone qualifies, even if you think you should.

Hey Giovanni! I went through something similar when I first filed. The $0 disbursement is super frustrating, but it's actually pretty common for new claims. A few things that helped me: 1. Check if you have any "determination letters" in your online account - they'll explain exactly why you got $0 2. Make sure you're certifying for benefits every two weeks, even if you're getting $0 (this keeps your claim active) 3. The waiting week is real - you won't get paid for your first eligible week anyway 4. Sometimes there are identity verification steps that hold things up I'd recommend calling the TWC customer service line early in the morning (like right at 8 AM) - that's when I had the most luck getting through. Also, keep checking your online account daily for any action items or messages they might send you. Don't panic yet though - if you just filed last week, it's totally normal for things to still be processing. The system is slow but it usually works out eventually. Hang in there! 💪

Hey Giovanni! I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago. The $0 disbursement had me spiraling too, but here's what I learned: First, check your "Correspondence" section in your online account - TWC sends important updates there that you might miss. Look for any "monetary determination" or "non-monetary determination" letters. Also, make sure you're doing your work search requirements correctly. Even if you're getting $0, you still need to log your job search activities or it can hold up future payments. One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts through the TWC website - they'll notify you immediately when there are updates to your claim status. The good news is that if your claim gets approved later, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you certified (minus that first waiting week). So definitely keep certifying every two weeks no matter what! The process is frustrating but most people do get their benefits eventually. Just stay on top of it and don't let any deadlines slip by. You've got this! 💪

Hey Giovanni! Welcome to the unemployment maze - we've all been there! 😅 A few quick things that might help while you're waiting for things to process: 1. Download the TWC mobile app if you haven't already - sometimes it's faster than the website and you can check your claim status on the go. 2. Keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook tracking when you filed, when you certified, and any correspondence you receive. Trust me, you'll need this later! 3. If you're getting $0, double-check that your Social Security number and other personal info match EXACTLY what's on your Social Security card and driver's license. Even small discrepancies can cause delays. 4. Don't forget about the work search requirement - you need to be actively looking for work and documenting it, even during the waiting period. The $0 disbursement is super common for new filers, especially in your first few weeks. The system is slow but it usually catches up. Just stay consistent with your weekly certifications and keep all your documentation organized. You're doing the right thing by asking questions here - this community has been a lifesaver for so many of us! Hang in there! 🤞

Giovanni, I totally feel your pain! The unemployment system can be overwhelming, especially when you're already stressed about finances. Here's what helped me when I was in your shoes: The $0 disbursement is actually super normal for new claims - don't panic! It usually means one of these things: - Your claim is still being reviewed (most common) - You're in your mandatory waiting week - There might be a minor paperwork issue they need to resolve My biggest piece of advice: create a routine around this process. Check your online account every morning, keep certifying every two weeks like clockwork, and document everything. I made the mistake of being inconsistent early on and it just prolonged everything. Also, try calling TWC right at 8:00 AM sharp on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - I found those days had shorter wait times. Have your SSN and confirmation numbers ready before you dial. The waiting is brutal, but most claims do get resolved eventually. In the meantime, make sure you're meeting all the work search requirements since you'll need to show that activity once payments start flowing. You've got a great attitude asking for help early - that's going to serve you well in this process! Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞

Hey Giovanni! I just went through this exact same thing a couple months ago - the $0 disbursement is honestly super stressful when you're already dealing with job loss. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: The $0 is most likely just processing delays, especially since you filed so recently. BUT here are the key things to check right now: 1. Log into your TWC account and look under "Payment Request Status" - it might show if there are any holds or issues 2. Check the "Correspondence" tab for any determination letters they may have sent digitally 3. Make sure your bank account info is correct if you set up direct deposit One thing that really caught me off guard - even after your claim gets approved, there's often a 1-2 week delay before you see actual money. So don't freak out if your status changes but payments are still delayed. Pro tip: Screenshot everything in your account regularly. The system sometimes has glitches and having proof of what you submitted/when can be a lifesaver. Keep requesting payments every two weeks no matter what - if you miss those deadlines, it's way harder to get back on track. The waiting sucks but most people do eventually get their benefits sorted out! Hang in there! This community is amazing for support when the system feels impossible to navigate. 💪

Hey Giovanni! I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're definitely not alone in this experience! The $0 disbursement threw me for a loop too when I first filed. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to check if there's a "hold" or "flag" on your account. Sometimes TWC puts temporary holds for things like wage verification or identity confirmation, and they don't always notify you right away. You can usually see this in your account dashboard under claim status. Also, since you just filed last week, there's a good chance you're still in the initial review period. Texas has been pretty backed up lately, and new claims can take 2-3 weeks just for the initial determination. My advice: be patient but persistent. Keep doing everything by the book (certifying every two weeks, job searches, etc.) and don't let the $0 payments discourage you from staying consistent. When I finally got approved, all those $0 weeks turned into actual payments retroactively. The learning curve is steep, but you're asking all the right questions. This community has been incredible for navigating the system - glad you found us early in the process! Keep us updated on how things progress! 🤞

Hey Giovanni! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and I know how nerve-wracking that $0 disbursement can be when you're already stressed about finances. Here's what I learned that might help you: The $0 is almost certainly just a processing issue since you filed so recently. Texas TWC typically takes 1-3 weeks for initial claim review, and during that time you'll see $0 even if everything is fine. A few things to check right now: - Look for any "Issues Delaying Payment" section in your online account - Make sure all your employer information and wages are entered correctly - Check that your identity verification documents were accepted (this is a big one that trips people up) The most important thing: keep certifying every two weeks religiously, even with $0 payments. When your claim gets approved, you'll get backpay for all those weeks (minus the waiting week). I ended up getting 5 weeks of backpay when everything finally went through, so don't give up! The system is frustrating but it does work eventually. One last tip - if you do need to call them, try calling exactly at 8:00 AM on weekdays. That's when I had the best luck getting through without waiting hours. You're doing everything right by asking questions early. Hang in there! 💪

Hey Giovanni! I was in your exact shoes about 8 months ago - filed my first claim, got that dreaded $0 disbursement, and immediately thought I'd screwed something up royally! 😅 Here's what I wish I'd known from day one: **The $0 is totally normal for new filers** - especially in your first 2-3 weeks. Texas TWC has to verify everything before they start paying out, and that takes time. **Key things to do RIGHT NOW:** 1. Set up a simple tracking system (I used a basic notebook) - date filed, certification dates, any correspondence 2. Check your online account daily for any new messages or action items 3. Keep certifying every two weeks no matter what - this is CRUCIAL 4. Make sure you're doing your work search activities and logging them **Red flags to watch for:** - Any messages about wage discrepancies - Identity verification requests - Missing employer information The hardest part is the waiting and not knowing what's happening behind the scenes. But honestly, 90% of the time it's just bureaucratic processing delays, not actual problems with your claim. I ended up getting 6 weeks of backpay once everything cleared, so all those $0 weeks weren't actually lost money - just delayed money. You're smart to ask questions early instead of just hoping for the best. Keep us posted on how things develop - we're all rooting for you! 🙌

Hey Giovanni! I just went through this exact same experience about 4 months ago, and I totally understand that sinking feeling when you see $0 disbursement. Here's what helped me get through it: **First, breathe** - the $0 is almost definitely just processing delays since you filed so recently. TWC is notoriously slow with new claims. **Things that made a huge difference for me:** 1. Check your "Claim Summary" page for your benefit year dates - this will tell you if your claim is even active yet 2. Look for any "pending issues" or "determinations" in your account - these will explain exactly what's holding things up 3. Make sure you're meeting the work search requirements (3 work search activities per week) even during $0 weeks 4. Set up email notifications in your TWC account so you don't miss important updates **Reality check:** My first payment took almost 4 weeks to show up, but when it did, I got backpay for every week I'd certified (except that first waiting week everyone mentions). The system is frustrating and poorly designed, but it does eventually work for most people. Keep certifying every two weeks like clockwork - that's your lifeline. Also, don't feel bad about being confused by all this. The whole system seems designed to be as unclear as possible! You're asking all the right questions though. Hang in there - you've got this! 💪

Hey Giovanni! I completely understand that anxiety you're feeling - I remember staring at my screen in disbelief when I saw my first $0 disbursement too! 😰 Since you filed just last week, you're definitely in the normal processing window. Here's what I'd focus on right now: **Check these specific things in your TWC account:** - "Issues Delaying Payment" section (if it exists) - "Monetary Determination" status - Any correspondence in your inbox that might explain the $0 **Keep doing these things religiously:** - Certify every two weeks (even with $0 - this is super important!) - Log your work search activities - Check your account daily for updates **Timeline reality check:** Most new claims take 2-4 weeks for initial processing. I know it feels like forever when you're waiting, but you're still well within normal timeframes. The good news is that if/when your claim gets approved, you'll get backpay for all those certified weeks (minus the waiting week). So those $0 weeks aren't actually lost money - just delayed money. Try not to stress too much yet - you're doing everything right by staying on top of it and asking questions. The waiting is the hardest part, but most claims do work out eventually. Keep us posted on any updates! 🤞

Hey Giovanni! I totally get that panic when you see $0 - I literally called my friend crying when it happened to me! 😅 Since you just filed last week, you're definitely still in the normal processing timeframe. Here's what helped me stay sane during the waiting period: **Quick wins you can do today:** - Check your "Claim Status" page for any pending determinations - Make sure your direct deposit info is correct (if you set that up) - Screenshot your current claim summary for your records **The waiting week reality:** Even when everything goes smoothly, you won't get paid for your first eligible week anyway - it's called the "waiting week" and it's just how the system works. **What kept me going:** I reminded myself that thousands of people go through this exact same process every week, and the vast majority eventually get their benefits sorted out. The system is slow and clunky, but it does work. The hardest part is the uncertainty and not knowing what's happening behind the scenes. But you're being super proactive by asking questions and staying on top of everything - that's going to serve you well! Keep certifying every two weeks no matter what, and try to be patient with the process (easier said than done, I know!). You've got this! 💪