TWC payment schedule confusion - weekly or biweekly benefits?

Texas pays unemployment benefits every two weeks, not weekly. You request payment every two weeks on your designated filing day (in your case 10/6), and then the payment processes 2-3 business days after that. So no, you won't get a payment on 10/4. You'll need to request on 10/6 first, then probably receive payment around 10/8-10/9 depending on your payment method.

Biweekly!! I thought the same thing when I first started. Got all worried when no money showed up the next week lol

Quick tip: sign up for direct deposit if you haven't already! The paper checks take forever to arrive compared to direct deposit which is usually 2-3 days after you request payment. You can set it up in your TWC account under payment options. Each time you request payment, you'll actually be claiming for the previous two weeks (they call them "payment requests" not "weekly claims" like some other states).

when i got unemployment in texas they always told me to request on sunday and i got paid wednesday. always been every 2 weeks. the first 2 weeks was the waiting period so u dont get paid for that

TWC payment system makes NO SENSE!!! I've been on unemployment for 3 months now and STILL sometimes my payments come late or not at all and then I have to spend DAYS trying to get through to someone on the phone. Last time I called, I was on hold for 4 HOURS only to get disconnected when someone finally picked up!!!

make sure u do ur work searches too!!!! i almost lost my benefits cuz i forgot to log my 3 job applications for the week. twc is super strict about that now.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, your payment schedule will continue to be biweekly. So after your 10/6 request, your next one would be 10/20, then 11/3, and so on. TWC assigns everyone a specific day to request payment (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) based on the last digit of your Social Security Number. You'll always request on that same day every two weeks. And a tip about the work search requirements - while TWC can audit your work search activities at any time, they typically don't verify every single application with employers. But when they do audit, they'll ask for specific details, so keep good records of where you applied, contact information, job titles, and application dates.

i just filed my request online never call in. way easier IMO

Just wanted to add that you can also set up text notifications through your TWC account! They'll send you reminders about your payment request dates and confirmation when your payment has been processed. Really helpful for keeping track of everything, especially when you're new to the system like me. I found it under "Account Settings" then "Notification Preferences" in the online portal.

One more helpful thing to know - if you ever miss your designated request date, you usually have until the end of the next business day to still request payment without any penalty. But don't make it a habit! TWC can flag your account if you consistently request late. Also, if you have any major changes (like starting part-time work or moving), report them immediately through your online account or you could end up with overpayment issues later. Good luck with everything!

Just to add another helpful resource - if you ever need to check your payment history or see when your next request date is, you can view all of that in the "Payment Information" section of your TWC online account. It shows your payment status, amounts, and dates going back several months. Really useful for keeping track of everything, especially when you're budgeting like you mentioned. Also, if you ever have issues with a payment not showing up when expected, that's the first place to check before calling customer service!

Another thing to keep in mind - if you're getting paper checks, make sure to deposit them promptly! TWC checks are only valid for 180 days from the issue date. I learned this the hard way when I found an old check in my mail pile that had expired. Also, if you move during your claim period, update your address immediately in your online account so your checks don't get sent to the wrong place. The postal service doesn't always forward government checks reliably.

What about the back pay when they said it goes back to a specific date

Hey Tate! Welcome to the unemployment world - it's confusing at first but you'll get the hang of it. Everyone here has given you great info about the biweekly schedule. Just wanted to add one more tip: download the TWC mobile app if you have a smartphone. It makes requesting payments super convenient and you can check your payment status on the go. Also, don't stress too much about the timing - once you get into the rhythm of requesting every two weeks, it becomes second nature. The budgeting gets easier too once you know exactly when to expect your payments. You're doing great by asking questions and staying on top of everything!

One more thing that might help with your budgeting - TWC payments are typically for the same amount each time (your weekly benefit amount x 2), so once you get your first couple payments you'll know exactly what to expect every two weeks. The only time the amount might vary is if you do any part-time work during a claim week and report earnings, or if you have taxes withheld. Speaking of taxes, make sure to consider whether you want federal and/or state taxes taken out of your benefits - you can set this up in your account under tax withholding options. It's better to have them take it out now rather than owe a big chunk at tax time!

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through the same confusion when I first started! The biweekly schedule threw me off too - I kept expecting money every week like some other states do. One thing that really helped me was setting up calendar reminders for my request dates. I put them in my phone with alerts a day before so I never miss the window. Also, once you get a few payments under your belt, the whole process becomes much more predictable and less stressful. The TWC system has its quirks but it works pretty reliably once you understand the timing. Hang in there - the first month is always the hardest while you're figuring everything out!

Just to add one more helpful tip - if you're ever unsure about your payment status or have questions about a specific payment, you can also call the TWC Tele-Serv line at 800-558-8321 to get automated information about your claim without having to wait for a customer service representative. It's available 24/7 and can tell you things like your last payment date, next request date, and current claim balance. Super useful for quick checks when the website might be down or if you just want to verify information without logging in. I use it all the time just to double-check my payment status!

One thing I wish someone had told me when I first started - keep a simple folder (physical or digital) with all your unemployment paperwork! This includes your initial claim confirmation, any correspondence from TWC, bank statements showing your payments, and records of your work search activities. I had to appeal a decision about 6 months into my claim and having everything organized saved me so much time and stress. Also, screenshot or print your payment confirmations after each biweekly request - sometimes the online system glitches and it's good to have proof you submitted on time. Trust me, a little organization upfront will save you major headaches later if any issues come up!

Great question! I had the same confusion when I started. TWC definitely pays biweekly (every two weeks), not weekly. You'll request payment on your assigned day (10/6 for you), then typically receive it 2-3 business days later. After that, your next request date will be exactly two weeks later. One tip that helped me - set up direct deposit ASAP if you haven't already, as paper checks can take much longer to arrive. Also, make sure you're logging your work search activities consistently since TWC requires 3 job contacts per week. The system takes some getting used to, but once you understand the biweekly rhythm, it becomes much easier to budget around. Good luck with your claim!

Hey there! I'm also pretty new to the TWC system and this thread has been a goldmine of information. Just wanted to add that I found it helpful to bookmark the TWC login page (ui.texasworkforce.org) on my phone's home screen so I can easily access it on my payment request days. Also, if you're like me and tend to be forgetful, consider setting up multiple reminders - maybe one a few days before your request date to prepare your work search info, and another on the actual day. The biweekly schedule definitely takes some adjustment, especially coming from jobs that paid weekly, but you'll get into the groove quickly!