< Back to Texas Unemployment

Elijah O'Reilly

TWC claiming I'm 'ineligible' after ID verification request - no way to submit payment request

Is anyone else dealing with this ID verification nightmare? I applied for unemployment about 10 days ago and just received a determination letter saying I'm INELIGIBLE because they need to verify my identity. The crazy part is they never actually asked for any documents before declaring me ineligible! I only found out what they needed when I got the determination letter in my correspondence inbox yesterday. I immediately uploaded my driver's license and a recent electric bill to their document portal, but my account still shows 'ineligible' status and there's no confirmation they received anything. I was supposed to submit my first payment request today, but the system won't let me because of this ineligible status. I tried the callback request form at 6:30am (thinking I'd beat the rush) but no one has called back 8 hours later. This feels intentionally difficult. Has anyone successfully navigated this verification issue and how long did it take to get your status changed from ineligible?

Amara Torres

•

Same thing happened to me in January! They're requiring ID verification for almost everyone now, but their system doesn't tell you upfront. You need to call and specifically request an ID verification interview. They won't process those documents you uploaded without scheduling you for the interview first. I waited 4 days after uploading my documents before figuring this out. Once I got the interview scheduled (which took another week of calling), they cleared my eligibility within 24 hours after the interview. Keep requesting payment even if it says you're ineligible - you'll get backpay once they verify you.

0 coins

Wait, so they won't even look at the documents I uploaded without an interview? That's insane. How am I supposed to schedule an interview if they won't return my calls? This is making me so anxious.

0 coins

theyve bcome so much worse since covid. my neighbor works at twc (not in claims) says they're understaffed by like 40% but management wont hire more ppl. system is designed to make u quit trying tbh

0 coins

Mason Kaczka

•

I just went through this EXACT same thing last month and it was INFURIATING!! They sent me the ineligible notice with no warning and no way to fix it! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get through on the phone with no luck. I ended up having to physically go to a Workforce Center (the one in Round Rock) and even then had to wait 3 hours to talk to someone. They told me that the online portal for document uploads is BROKEN and has been for months!!! They don't tell anyone though! The lady there helped push my verification through and I was approved 3 days later. TWC is deliberately making this process difficult because their numbers look better when people give up. It's criminal!!!

0 coins

Oh my god, the document portal is broken?? I just assumed they received everything I uploaded. I'm about 2 hours from the nearest Workforce Center so that's going to be a huge hassle. Might have to do it though if there's no other way.

0 coins

Mason Kaczka

•

The lady told me the documents go through sometimes but sit in a queue that nobody checks regularly. That's why you never get confirmation. Definitely worth the drive to the Workforce Center - bring printed copies of EVERYTHING and arrive at least 30 min before they open. The lines get crazy by mid-morning.

0 coins

Sophia Russo

•

I can clarify a few things about this process from my experience helping others with TWC claims: 1) The ID verification requirement is now standard for most new claims 2) The system generates an "ineligible" determination automatically when verification is needed 3) Once you upload documents, you should continue requesting payment on your scheduled day (even though it will say you're ineligible) 4) When your identity is verified, the system will retroactively approve those payment requests 5) The portal DOES work, but documents can take 7-14 business days to process unless you specifically get an agent to flag your account The fastest way to resolve this is definitely speaking with a TWC agent directly. They can verify receipt of your documents and expedite the verification process when you explain your situation.

0 coins

Thank you for the clear explanation! So should I keep submitting payment requests even though the system says I'm ineligible? I'm worried about doing something wrong and making this worse.

0 coins

Sophia Russo

•

Yes, absolutely keep requesting payments on your scheduled days. The system will store those requests, and once your identity is verified, TWC will process all pending payment requests automatically. If you don't request payment, you won't receive benefits for those weeks even after verification is complete. This is one of the most common mistakes people make during the verification process.

0 coins

Evelyn Xu

•

I got caught in this exact ID verification loop back in February. Spent literally 43 hours trying to get through to TWC on the phone over two weeks. What a nightmare! I finally found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. Cost me a bit but totally worth it after all that frustration. They have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Once I actually spoke with someone, they told me my documents WERE received but were sitting in a queue waiting for review. The agent manually flagged my account for expedited verification and I was approved 2 days later. Without that call I might still be waiting! Their website is claimyr.com if you're desperate like I was.

0 coins

does this actually work? seems sketchy to me

0 coins

Dominic Green

•

Not sure if this helps but my sister had the same issue last month. She kept having trouble with the callback form too. She said what finally worked was submitting the callback request exactly at 7:00am (not a minute before or after). Something about their system refreshing right at 7. She got a call back that same day. Just passing along what worked for her!

0 coins

I'll try that tomorrow morning - thanks for the tip! Really need to get this resolved before rent is due.

0 coins

Hannah Flores

•

This verification issue is just the beginning of their games. I went through similar in January, finally got verified after 3 weeks, then they hit me with "additional information needed for your work separation" which took ANOTHER 2 weeks to resolve. The whole time my status showed ineligible. But I kept requesting payment like clockwork every two weeks. When I finally got approved, all my back payments came through at once (about $2500). So don't give up! This is exactly how they weed people out of the system. They figure if you really need the money, you'll jump through all their ridiculous hoops.

0 coins

Mason Kaczka

•

EXACTLY THIS!! 💯 The whole system is designed to discourage people from collecting benefits they're entitled to! Makes their unemployment numbers look better and saves the state money. It's completely unethical.

0 coins

Amara Torres

•

Here's a specific tip: When you finally do reach someone, ask them to transfer you to the Identity Verification department directly. Regular agents often can't help much with ID issues, but they CAN transfer you internally to the right department. I learned this after wasting my first call with a general agent who couldn't do anything for me. Also, check your correspondence inbox twice daily. Sometimes they send requests for additional verification documents with very short deadlines (like 48 hours) and if you miss that window, you have to start the process over again.

0 coins

That's really good to know about asking for a transfer. I've been checking my inbox obsessively but haven't received anything new yet. I'll make sure to keep a close eye on it. I just need this resolved so I can start getting some income again.

0 coins

Sophia Russo

•

Just a quick update on recent TWC procedures: As of May 2025, they've implemented a new Identity Verification Queue that's separate from regular processing. If you call and get through to an agent, specifically ask them to check if your documents are in the "ID Verification Special Processing Queue" and request they add an expedite flag to your claim. This new queue was created to address the backlog of verifications, but many agents don't mention it unless specifically asked. It can reduce your wait time from 2-3 weeks down to 2-3 days if they place your documents in this queue.

0 coins

Oh that's incredibly helpful information! I'll definitely ask about this specific queue if I manage to get through to someone. Thank you!

0 coins

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Filed about 2 weeks ago and got hit with the "ineligible" determination yesterday. Like you, I had no idea what documents they needed until I got that letter. It's so frustrating that they don't tell you upfront what the ID verification process involves. I uploaded my driver's license and a utility bill this morning, but after reading all these comments I'm realizing I probably need to be more proactive about getting on the phone with them. The fact that the document portal might be broken or just sits in an unmonitored queue is really concerning. Going to try the 7:00am callback request tip tomorrow and see if I can get through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know to keep requesting payments even though it says I'm ineligible. This whole system feels deliberately designed to make people give up, but I'm not going to let them win!

0 coins

Arjun Patel

•

You're absolutely right that the system feels deliberately designed to discourage people! I went through something similar last year and it's maddening how they don't explain the process upfront. The 7:00am callback tip is definitely worth trying - I've heard mixed results but it seems to work better than other times of day. One thing I'd add is to document everything you do with timestamps. Keep screenshots of when you uploaded documents, when you submitted callback requests, etc. If you do end up having to escalate this or file an appeal later, having that paper trail can be really helpful. Also, don't let the "ineligible" status psych you out too much - from what I've seen in this community, most people who stick with the verification process eventually get approved and receive their backpay. The key is just not giving up, which is exactly what they're hoping you'll do. Keep fighting for what you're entitled to!

0 coins

Rajiv Kumar

•

This is absolutely maddening and I feel for everyone going through this! I just want to add another data point - I went through this verification nightmare in April and what ultimately worked for me was a combination of persistence and knowing the right things to ask for. After reading similar threads here, I called every single day at exactly 7:00am for a week straight using the callback request. On day 6, I finally got a call back around 2pm. The key things I asked for (thanks to advice from this community) were: 1) Transfer to Identity Verification department, 2) Check if my docs were in the "ID Verification Special Processing Queue," and 3) Add an expedite flag to my claim. The agent confirmed my documents were received but sitting in regular processing (which she said could take 3-4 weeks). She moved them to the special queue and added the expedite flag. I was approved 2 days later and got all my backpay. One tip I haven't seen mentioned - if you have to leave a voicemail during the callback process, mention your claim number AND say "identity verification urgent" at the beginning. The agent told me certain keywords help prioritize callbacks. Don't give up! The system is definitely designed to wear you down, but if you keep pushing and use the right terminology, you can get through it.

0 coins

Hazel Garcia

•

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'm writing down those exact phrases to use when I call - "Identity Verification Special Processing Queue" and asking for an expedite flag. The tip about using "identity verification urgent" in voicemails is genius too. I'm on day 2 of trying the 7am callback strategy with no luck yet, but your experience gives me hope that persistence will pay off. It's so frustrating that we have to learn these "secret codes" and workarounds just to access benefits we're legally entitled to, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these insights. Going to keep at it and hopefully I'll have a success story to share soon. The fact that you got approved in just 2 days once you reached the right person shows it really is just about getting through their deliberately confusing system.

0 coins

Amina Diallo

•

I'm going through this EXACT same thing right now and it's incredibly frustrating! Filed my claim 2 weeks ago, got the "ineligible" determination 3 days ago with no prior warning about needing ID verification. Just like you, I only found out what documents they needed after getting that determination letter. I uploaded my driver's license and a bank statement immediately, but my status still shows ineligible and there's been zero confirmation they received anything. Reading through all these comments has been both helpful and terrifying - the fact that the document portal might be broken or just sits in an unmonitored queue is really concerning. I've been doing the callback request every morning at 7am for the past 3 days with no luck, but I'm going to keep trying. Based on what everyone's shared here, I'm also going to start requesting payments even though it says I'm ineligible - I had no idea that was the right thing to do! This whole system really does feel intentionally designed to make people give up. But reading everyone's success stories gives me hope that if I stick with it and use the right terminology (like asking for the "ID Verification Special Processing Queue"), I can get through this. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver!

0 coins

Amara Nwosu

•

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this too! It's honestly shocking how many of us are going through the exact same experience with TWC right now. The fact that they don't warn you about ID verification upfront and then mark you as "ineligible" with no explanation is just cruel. I'm glad you found this thread helpful - I know I've learned more from everyone's comments here than from anything TWC has actually told me directly. The tip about continuing to request payments even with an "ineligible" status was a game-changer for me too. I was so worried about doing something wrong that I almost didn't submit my payment request this week. Keep trying with those 7am callback requests! From what I'm seeing in these comments, persistence really does seem to pay off. And definitely use those specific phrases people mentioned - "ID Verification Special Processing Queue" and asking for an expedite flag. It's ridiculous that we have to learn these "magic words" just to get basic help, but if that's what it takes, then that's what we'll do. You've got this! Don't let them wear you down. We're all in this together and we'll get through it. Keep us posted on your progress!

0 coins

Texas Unemployment AI

Expert Assistant
Secure

Powered by Claimyr AI

T
I
+
20,087 users helped today