TWC payment method confusion - Will first benefit payment come on TWC card or paper check?

Congrats on getting approved! The first payment usually depends on what payment method you selected during your initial application. If you chose the ReliaCard debit card option, they'll mail you a new card first (which can take 7-10 business days to arrive) and then load your benefits onto it. If you selected direct deposit, they would deposit directly to your bank account. Paper checks are less common now but still an option if you selected that. You can verify your payment method by logging into your TWC account online and checking your payment options in your profile settings. Also, keep in mind that even after approval, your first payment might take a little time to process - especially if you just got approved yesterday.

mine showed up like 2 weeks after i got approved lol the card comes separate from ur actual payment notification so dont panic yet

The TWC payment system is so frustrating! When I got approved back in February, it took them nearly 12 days to send my ReliaCard, but then another 3 days for the actual payment to post to the card. The most annoying part is there's no real tracking system for the card delivery. One thing you should know - when the card does arrive, you'll need to activate it immediately by calling the number on the sticker. And set up a PIN you'll remember because if you forget it and get locked out, that's a whole other headache dealing with U.S. Bank customer service.

You can actually change your payment method from ReliaCard to direct deposit even now. Log into your TWC account, go to Payment Option, and update your preference. However, for your first payment, if they've already processed it for the ReliaCard, that's where it will go. If your payment status shows "processed" but you haven't received the card yet, you might want to call TWC to check if there's an issue. The problem is getting through to an actual person at TWC...

I had same problem last month!! I waited forEVER and nobody answerd at TWC. I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a TWC rep in like 20 minutes instead of calling for days. It was at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh that shows how it works. They basically call TWC for you and when they get someone, they connect you. Was worth it because I found out my card was sent to wrong address!

One more thing to keep in mind - your first payment might include back pay from your effective date to your approval date. So while waiting for the card is frustrating, that first payment might be larger than you expect. After you get this first payment sorted out, I strongly recommend switching to direct deposit for future payments. It's much faster (usually 2-3 business days after requesting payment) and more reliable than waiting for the ReliaCard system.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!! Called TWC literally 46 times (I counted) before I got through last week. Turns out they had sent my ReliaCard to my old address even though I updated my address in the system. The rep had to cancel that card and issue a new one. Now I'm waiting AGAIN for another 7-10 days. The whole system is broken and they don't care that people have bills to pay! Make sure you verify your address when you finally get through to someone.

UPDATE: I managed to get through to TWC this morning (took forever). The representative confirmed my ReliaCard was mailed out 2 days ago and should arrive within 5-7 business days. She also verified they have my correct address. For anyone else in this situation, I recommend calling as early as possible (I called right when they opened at 8am) and being super persistent. Now just waiting anxiously for that card to show up!

So glad you were able to get through and get confirmation! That's such a relief. For future reference, I've found that calling TWC right at 8am sharp gives you the best chance - their phone lines seem to get completely jammed by 8:30am. Once your card arrives, definitely activate it immediately and set up online access. The ReliaCard website lets you check your balance and transaction history, plus you can set up text alerts for when deposits hit your account. It's actually pretty convenient once you get it all set up. Hope your card arrives quickly and you can get caught up on those bills! The stress of waiting for that first payment is real.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I got approved for unemployment about a month ago and was in the exact same boat with the ReliaCard confusion. What really helped me was checking my TWC account online every day to monitor the payment status. Once it showed "payment processed," I knew the card would arrive within a few days. The card itself came in a plain white envelope from U.S. Bank, so don't throw away any mail that looks like junk! When it arrived, activation was pretty straightforward - just call the number and follow the prompts. One tip that saved me a lot of stress: you can actually check your ReliaCard balance online at reliacard.com even before the physical card arrives in the mail. Just use your SSN and the temporary card number they give you during activation. This let me confirm my benefits were loaded while I was still waiting for the card to show up. Hang in there - the waiting is awful but once you get through this first payment, the process gets much smoother!

Been following this thread and wanted to share what worked for me when I was in a similar situation last year. If you're really struggling with bills while waiting for the card, you might want to contact your creditors/landlord to explain the situation - many are understanding about unemployment payment delays, especially if you can show proof of approval. Also, once you do get your ReliaCard, be aware that there are some fees associated with it (ATM withdrawals, etc.) so read the fee schedule carefully. You can avoid most fees by using in-network ATMs or getting cash back at grocery stores. The whole TWC system definitely needs improvement, but you're almost through the worst part. That first payment confirmation means everything is moving in the right direction!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same stress a few months ago! The waiting for that first ReliaCard is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you've got bills breathing down your neck. One thing I learned that might help - if your payment status shows "processed" and you're getting desperate about timing, some local food banks and community assistance programs can provide emergency help with utilities or rent while you're waiting for unemployment payments to arrive. I had to swallow my pride and ask for help, but it got me through that gap period. Also, when your card does arrive, I'd suggest immediately transferring most of the funds to your bank account if possible (there's usually a transfer option in the ReliaCard app) to avoid any potential card issues down the road. The ReliaCard system works, but having the money in your regular account just feels more secure. You're so close to getting this resolved - that confirmation from TWC that the card was mailed is huge! Hopefully it shows up in the next couple days and you can put this stress behind you.