TWC keeps disconnecting me when on hold - need help getting payments unlocked after missed claim submissions
I'm at my breaking point trying to contact Texas Workforce Commission!!! Been calling every day for 2 weeks straight at different times (morning, afternoon, evening). I always get the same thing - automated system puts me on hold with that annoying 'your call is important to us' message, then CLICK... disconnected after 20-30 minutes! I've missed submitting my payment requests since February (I know, totally my fault) and now my claim is locked. I need to speak to an actual human to get it unlocked so I can start receiving benefits again. My rent is due next week and I'm seriously panicking. Has anyone figured out how to actually get through to a real person at TWC? Any specific time of day that works better? Should I just drive to a workforce office in person?
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Lydia Bailey
Try callng suuuuper early like 7:01am right wen they open. Thats how I got thru last month. The later in the day u try the worse it gets.
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Marcus Patterson
•Thanks, I'll try that tomorrow morning! Do you remember how long you had to wait on hold before speaking to someone?
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Mateo Warren
same thing happening to me rn!!!!! been hung up on 4 TIMES TODAY. this system is broken and they dont care about us at all.
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Marcus Patterson
•It's honestly so frustrating! Did you try calling early in the morning like the other person suggested?
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Sofia Price
I was in your exact situation last month. My claim was locked because I missed 3 payment requests in a row (was in the hospital and completely forgot). What worked for me was using Claimyr - it's a service that holds your place in line and calls you back when a TWC agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration with those disconnects. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh When you finally get through, ask for a backdate form to request the payments you missed. They can unlock your claim and guide you through the process, but be prepared with your work search activities for each week you're trying to claim. They'll ask specifics.
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Alice Coleman
•Is that service legit? Sounds like it could be a scam or something. How do they even do that?
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Sofia Price
@DistressedTxGuy It's completely legitimate. They basically use a system that keeps dialing and holds your place in the queue. When they reach an agent, they connect you. I was skeptical too, but it worked when nothing else did. Check out their website (claimyr.com) and read the reviews.
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Marcus Patterson
•This sounds amazing, I'm going to check it out right now. At this point I'm willing to try anything! And thanks for the tip about the backdate form - I didn't even know that was an option.
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Owen Jenkins
TWC phone representative here. The disconnection issue happens when our call volume exceeds system capacity - we're not hanging up on you intentionally. For missed payment requests, you'll need to complete a Form C-42 (Request to Reopen Claim After Inactivity) and provide valid reasons for not making your requests. Some important things to know: 1. You can request backdating for up to 3 weeks of missed payment requests 2. You'll need documented work search activities for each week (minimum 3 per week) 3. Benefits beyond 3 weeks may be forfeited depending on your reason for not filing If you can't reach us by phone, try emailing TWC.ombudsman@twc.texas.gov with your name, last 4 of SSN, and a detailed explanation of your situation. Include 'URGENT: Locked Claim' in the subject line.
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Marcus Patterson
•Thank you SO MUCH for this information! I didn't know about the 3-week limit for backdating or that emailing was an option. I've been keeping track of my work search activities so I should be able to provide those. Should I mention in my email that I've been trying to call but getting disconnected?
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Lilah Brooks
i went thru this in january and its actualy FASTER to just go to ur local workforce center in person!! the one in north austin helped me get everything fixed in one visit. call centers r useless now with everyone trying to get thru. bring ID and social security card and they can pull up everything right there
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Jackson Carter
•This is great advice, but remember some Workforce Centers require appointments now, especially for unemployment issues (thanks COVID protocols that never went away 🙄). Call your local office first to check if they take walk-ins for UI claim issues. When I tried last month, they told me benefit questions had to be handled by phone or appointment only.
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Marcus Patterson
UPDATE: I tried that Claimyr service and IT WORKED! Got connected to a TWC rep in about 40 minutes (while I was able to do other things instead of sitting on hold). The agent was able to unlock my claim and helped me file for the weeks I missed. They could only backdate 3 weeks like someone mentioned, but at least I'm back in the system now. For anyone else dealing with this headache, it's worth trying - saved me days of frustration!
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Alice Coleman
•Thanks for letting us know! I might try that too. My claim has been stuck in 'pending' for 2 weeks and I can't get through to ask why.
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