TWC phone system always says 'all representatives are busy' - any way to get through?

Trust me, it's not just you. I tried calling for over a week with the same results. It's like they don't actually have any representatives working there anymore! I swear the whole 'we're experiencing high call volume' thing is just an excuse. My theory is they're understaffed and can't handle the volume. I finally got through by using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they have this system that keeps dialing for you until it gets through, then calls you when there's an actual human on the line. Saved me days of frustration. Check out their demo if you want to see how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh

The TWC phone system is definitely overwhelmed, but there are a few strategies that might help: 1. Try calling on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday (Monday and Friday are typically the busiest days) 2. Call between 10:30-11:30am or 2:30-3:30pm when lunch shifts are changing 3. When you first get through the automated system, choose the Spanish option, then when a representative answers, explain you need English assistance (many are bilingual) 4. Double-check that you're calling the correct number for your specific issue (benefits questions vs. payment issues have different contact numbers) Also, have you tried managing your claim through the online portal? Many issues can be resolved without needing to call. Look for any correspondence in your inbox that might explain the payment delay.

same happening to me since JANUARY!!!! its all a SCAM they dont want to pay us whats owed!!!! i filed my claim 6 weeks ago still nothing and cant get thru on phones either

I've had success calling exactly at 1:30pm. For some reason that time seems to have fewer callers. Also, make sure you're calling the correct number for your area code. TWC has different Tele-Centers handling different regions. If you're in the Houston area, the 281-983-1100 number sometimes has shorter wait times than the main 800 number. When you do get through, immediately ask for a callback number in case you get disconnected. Nothing worse than waiting forever and then losing the call!

I got thru yesterday after trying for like 2 weeks. heres what i did. i kept hitting 0# over and over during the recording until it transfered me. still had to wait like 45 min on hold but at least i got in the que lol

Update: I got my issue resolved today after using Claimyr. The TWC agent told me there was a flag on my account because my last employer contested my claim (which they didn't tell me about!). She removed the hold and said my payment should process in 2-3 business days. Worth every penny not to spend another week trying to get through.

I work with unemployment claims professionally, and the truth is that TWC has been dealing with staffing shortages since the pandemic. They never fully recovered from the overwhelming volume of claims, and their phone systems are outdated. Besides the tips others have shared, I'd recommend also trying these options: 1. Contact your state representative's office. They often have direct channels to TWC and can help escalate your case. 2. Use the chat feature on the TWC website instead of calling. It's often faster to get a response, though it's only available during certain hours. 3. Email ui.ombudsmen@twc.texas.gov with your name, last 4 of SSN, and a brief description of your issue. They typically respond within 3-5 business days. If your payment has been pending for 2 weeks, there's likely a specific issue with your claim that needs resolution - could be work search documentation, an employer protest, or identity verification.

I feel your pain - I went through the exact same thing last month. The system is definitely overwhelmed, but I found a combination approach worked best for me: 1. Try calling at 7:58am (2 minutes before they officially open) and keep redialing until you get through the automated system 2. When you do get through, immediately press 1 for English, then 3 for payment issues, then 0 to speak to a representative 3. If you get the "all reps are busy" message, hang up and immediately redial - sometimes you'll get through on the 5th or 6th try The key is persistence and timing. I also noticed that calling on Wednesday around 11am had better success rates than other days/times. In the meantime, definitely check your TWC account online for any correspondence or requests for additional documentation. Sometimes payments get held up for things like missing work search logs or ID verification issues that you might not realize are pending. Hang in there - it's frustrating but you will eventually get through!

I've been dealing with the same nightmare for almost a month now! What finally worked for me was a combination of several strategies mentioned here. I started calling at exactly 7:55am (even earlier than the 7:58 suggestion) and would redial continuously for about 30 minutes. The key breakthrough came when I tried the Spanish language option trick - pressed 2 for Spanish, got connected to a bilingual rep in about 15 minutes, and they switched to English no problem. Turns out my payment was stuck because of an "employment verification" issue that never showed up in my online account. The employer had 10 days to respond to TWC's inquiry, and it was holding up everything. The rep was able to expedite it and I got my payments within 4 days. My advice: try multiple approaches simultaneously. Call early morning, use the ombudsman email (ui.ombudsmen@twc.texas.gov), AND contact your state rep's office. One of them will eventually break through. Don't give up - I know it feels hopeless but persistence really does pay off with TWC!

I've been in the exact same boat and it's absolutely maddening! After reading through all these suggestions, here's what I'm planning to try based on everyone's experiences: 1. The 7:55am calling strategy that Pedro mentioned - getting ahead of the 8am rush seems genius 2. The Spanish language option (press 2) that multiple people have had success with 3. The 0# rapid pressing technique Connor used to get into the queue 4. Emailing ui.ombudsmen@twc.texas.gov as Keisha suggested What really caught my attention is how many people discovered hidden issues with their claims (employer contests, verification problems) that weren't showing up in the online portal. Makes me wonder if there's something similar blocking my payments that I can't see. I'm also going to try the Wednesday 11am backup plan if the early morning attempts don't work. It's encouraging to see so many people eventually getting through - gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off! Thanks everyone for sharing your actual experiences and not just saying "keep trying." These specific strategies and timing tips are exactly what I needed to hear.

I've been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Based on everyone's experiences here, I just wanted to add a few things that worked for me when I finally got through last week: 1. The timing really does matter - I had success calling at 7:52am (even earlier than the 7:55 suggestion) and hitting redial every 10-15 seconds until I got past the busy signal 2. Once you get into the automated system, write down the exact sequence: 1 for English, then 3 for payment issues, then 0 for representative - don't hesitate or you might get kicked back to the main menu 3. If you get the "all representatives are busy" message, DON'T hang up immediately. Sometimes if you wait 30-45 seconds, it will suddenly connect you to the hold queue The Spanish language trick is legit - I used it as my backup plan and it worked within 20 minutes when the English line failed. Most reps are bilingual and happy to switch languages. Also want to echo what others said about hidden account issues. Mine was stuck because of a "wage verification" problem that never appeared anywhere in my online account. The rep fixed it in 5 minutes once I finally got through. Stay persistent everyone - the system is broken but it's not impossible to crack!

I've been lurking on this thread because I'm dealing with the EXACT same nightmare! I've been trying to reach TWC for over 2 weeks about my pending payment and it's been absolutely impossible. Reading through everyone's strategies here has been incredibly helpful - it's like a survival guide for the TWC phone system! I'm planning to combine several approaches mentioned here: - Starting calls at 7:50am (going even earlier based on the success stories) - Using the Spanish option trick (press 2) as my primary strategy since multiple people have had quick success with bilingual reps - Having the exact sequence ready: 1-3-0 for payment issues - Trying the 0# rapid pressing technique if I get stuck in the automated system What really opened my eyes is how many of you discovered hidden issues (employer contests, verification problems, wage issues) that weren't visible in the online portal at all. That explains SO much about why payments just sit in "pending" status with zero explanation! I'm also going to email ui.ombudsmen@twc.texas.gov and look up my state rep's office as backup options. This thread has given me more actionable strategies than weeks of searching online. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked instead of just generic advice - you're all lifesavers! 🙏 Wish me luck tomorrow morning - I'll report back with results!