TWC deposited payment before determination letter - Is this normal?

This happened to me last month! I got my first payment (after waiting week) before getting any determination letter. Called TWC and they said it means my claim was approved, but the determination letter was just delayed due to backlog. You're good to go - spend that money! If there was an issue with your eligibility, they wouldn't have paid you at all.

yep its normal. TWc is backed up right now. my wife got paid 3 weeks b4 her letter came in the mail

This is actually more common than you might think. When your employer responds without contesting your unemployment claim, TWC sometimes starts payments while the paperwork for the official determination is still being processed. The key fact here is that you received payment - that's a strong indicator your claim is approved! You should still receive a determination letter, but it might take another 2-3 weeks given current processing times. The letter will outline your official benefit amount and duration, but the payment you received confirms you've been approved. Just make sure you keep requesting payment every two weeks and completing your work search activities (minimum 3 per week in Texas) so your benefits continue without interruption.

DONT SPEND IT!!! This happened to my cousin and TWC later said it was a mistake and demanded everything back with penalties!! The system is totally broken right now and they're making tons of mistakes with payments. Just wait for the letter to be safe!!!

To clarify what others have said: TWC's payment and determination letter systems operate somewhat independently. The payment system can approve benefits once basic eligibility is confirmed (employer response verified, no disqualifying issues identified), while the formal determination letter might still be in process. What industry did you work in? Some sectors have faster claim processing times than others. Restaurant industry claims are usually straightforward when it's a layoff situation rather than termination. One thing to watch for - when your determination letter does arrive, check that your weekly benefit amount (WBA) matches what you received. If there's a discrepancy, contact TWC right away. Usually, the first payment amount is accurate, but it's good practice to verify.

If you're still worried and want to confirm your claim status directly with TWC, I'd highly recommend using Claimyr.com to get through to a live agent quickly. I was in a similar situation last month (payment but no determination) and spent DAYS trying to get through the regular TWC phone lines with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed everything was fine with my claim. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The peace of mind was totally worth it instead of stressing for weeks waiting for the letter.

I got my determination letter WEEKS after my first payment. TWC is just backed up with processing paperwork, but their payment system still works. As long as you filled everything out truthfully you're fine. Also make sure you're certifying for payment every two weeks on your assigned day. I almost messed that up and had to request payment late which caused a whole other headache lol

my situation was opposite. got the letter saying approved but no payment for almost a month! TWC is just completely random with how they handle things these days

Just to add an important note: Make sure you continue completing your payment requests on schedule regardless of whether you've received the determination letter. Missing a payment request period can create significant complications with your claim. The fact that you've already received a payment is a good sign, but the determination letter is still important because it contains your official benefit information and appeal rights. If you don't receive it within the next 2 weeks, I recommend contacting TWC to ensure they have your correct mailing address on file.