TWC paid for only 1 week instead of 2 - will they automatically pay the other week?
Got laid off right before Christmas (December 21st) and filed my unemployment claim over the phone on Dec 27th. The TWC rep told me to make my first payment request on January 11th. I've been reading horror stories about 6-10 week waits for first payments, so I was shocked when I checked my account today and saw a deposit! But here's my question - they only paid me for ONE week ($425), not two weeks like I expected. My payment request schedule says I should request again on 1/25. Will TWC automatically deposit the second week next week? Or did I mess something up when filing? This is my first time on unemployment and I'm confused about how the payment schedule works.
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Natasha Orlova
Congrats on getting paid so quickly! That's definitely not the norm these days. For your first payment, it's actually normal to only get one week. This is because TWC has a "waiting week" - the first week you're eligible is essentially an unpaid week. You'll get paid for that week later (usually when your claim ends or you return to full-time work). For future payments, yes, you'll request every two weeks on your scheduled day, and then you'll receive payment for both weeks together, usually 2-3 business days after your request is processed.
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CosmicCowboy
•Oh thank you! That makes so much sense about the waiting week. I was panicking thinking I did something wrong. So going forward I'll get two weeks' worth with each deposit? That's a relief.
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Javier Cruz
Same thing happened 2 me when i got laid off in October!! first payment was just 1 week then after that it was always 2 weeks. Your good dont worry
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CosmicCowboy
•That's reassuring to hear! This whole process has been so stressful.
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Emma Thompson
YOU'RE LUCKY YOU GOT PAID AT ALL!!! I've been waiting 5 WEEKS since filing and still nothing but "under review" on my account. Called 47 times yesterday and couldn't get through to a single person. The system is BROKEN and TWC doesn't care about us!!
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Malik Jackson
•Sorry you're dealing with that frustration. If your claim is stuck in review, it might be because there's an issue they need to clarify. Have you checked your correspondence inbox on the TWC portal? Sometimes they send requests for additional information but don't notify you by email or text. Also, I was struggling to get through on the phones too until I found this service called Claimyr. It helped me get through to TWC in about 20 minutes instead of calling for days. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Definitely worth checking out if you're desperate to talk to someone.
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Emma Thompson
•Just checked my correspondence and there IS a letter requesting info about my last employer that I never saw!!! WTF why wouldn't they make that more obvious??? Going to try that phone service now because I NEED to talk to someone today. Thanks.
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Isabella Costa
wait they only pay you for the weeks you've been unemployed up to the request date. when did you say you got laid off? if it was Dec 21 and you filed on the 27th, then your first week of unemployment was Dec 21-27, right? so that's why you only got 1 week
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Natasha Orlova
•That's not quite right. TWC pays biweekly, but the first payment often only covers one week because of the waiting week provision. The waiting week is the first week you're eligible for benefits, but it's not paid immediately. It gets paid later when you exhaust your benefits or return to work and claim it specifically.
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StarSurfer
You actually got really lucky with the timing of your payment! I filed on November 9th and didn't get my first payment until December 20th. For your question though - yes, your next payment request on 1/25 should result in a payment for two weeks. Make sure you're completing your work search activities (minimum 3 per week) and documenting them carefully. TWC has been really strict about work search compliance lately.
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CosmicCowboy
•I've been applying to at least 5 jobs every week and keeping careful records. Do I need to report all 5 or just the required 3? And should I be uploading the confirmation emails from applications as proof?
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StarSurfer
•You only need to report 3 per week during your payment request, but I'd recommend keeping records of all of them in case you get selected for a work search audit. You don't need to upload confirmations during regular payment requests, but have them ready if TWC asks for verification. Also make sure you're counting the right kinds of activities - networking events and job fairs count too, not just applications!
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Ravi Malhotra
congrats on gettin paid so fast!! i got laid off in november and still waiting lol. but ya the 1st payment is always weird. when i was on unemployment in 2023 the same thing happened. dont worry itll be normal 2 week payments after this
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CosmicCowboy
•Thank you! I hope your payment comes through soon too!
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Javier Cruz
make sure ur claiming on the right day!! i missed my day once and had to wait a whole extra week
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Malik Jackson
Just to add some clarity to what others have mentioned: 1) Your first payment is typically for one week due to the waiting week provision (first eligible week isn't paid immediately) 2) Future payments will be for two weeks if you request on your assigned date (1/25 in your case) 3) Payment typically arrives 2-3 business days after your request is processed 4) Make sure you're completing at least 3 qualified work search activities each week 5) Keep documentation of all work search activities for at least a year (TWC can audit you) 6) If your payment status ever shows "pending" for more than 5 business days, that's when you should call TWC to check for issues Hope this helps, and congrats on getting your first payment so quickly!
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CosmicCowboy
•This is really helpful - thank you! One more question: if I get a part-time job while on unemployment, do I still request payment on the same schedule? I have an interview for a 20-hour position next week.
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Malik Jackson
•Yes, you'd still request on the same schedule, but be sure to report ALL earnings during the weeks you worked, even if you haven't been paid yet. TWC uses when you worked, not when you got paid. They'll reduce your benefits based on your earnings, but if you're working significantly less than full-time, you'll likely still get partial benefits. Just be 100% honest about your hours and earnings - unreported income is considered fraud and can result in having to pay everything back plus penalties.
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