TWC regular benefits exhausted - can I switch to DUA after 2025 storm damage?
Hey everyone, I'm in a tricky situation with TWC and hoping someone has been through something similar. I lost my job after the March storms knocked out internet in our area for weeks (I work in remote tech support). My employer let me go because I couldn't perform my duties without connection. I initially applied for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) thinking that was appropriate for my situation. However, TWC processed me for regular unemployment benefits first. Now I'm about to submit my final payment request before my regular benefits are exhausted. I spoke with a TWC agent last week about switching to DUA since my job loss was storm-related, but she seemed confused about the process. After consulting her supervisor, she told me to file my last regular payment request and then call back to have them switch me to DUA. Does this advice sound right? Has anyone successfully switched from regular UI to DUA after exhausting benefits? I'm worried I might fall through the cracks and lose out on assistance I might qualify for. Thanks for any insights!
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Savannah Glover
Yes, this is actually the correct process. I went through something similar after the floods last year. The system is designed to exhaust regular UI benefits first before DUA kicks in - it's not either/or, it's a sequence. After your regular benefits end, call TWC and specifically request to speak with someone in the DUA department (not just any rep). You'll need to provide documentation that your job loss was directly storm-related. Keep any emails from your employer mentioning the internet outage and your termination. Also try to get documentation from your internet provider showing the service disruption dates.
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Kevin Bell
•That's super helpful! Did you have any issues during the transition period between regular UI ending and DUA starting? I'm worried about a gap in payments.
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Felix Grigori
wait i thought DUA was only for self-employed ppl? regular employees just get normal unemployment i think
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Savannah Glover
•That's a common misconception. DUA is available to anyone whose employment was affected by a disaster, including regular W-2 employees who have either exhausted regular UI benefits or don't qualify for them. Self-employed individuals often use DUA because they typically don't qualify for regular UI, but it's not exclusively for them.
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Felicity Bud
I'm in the EXACT same boat right now!! My regular benefits are ending next week and I've been trying to get someone at TWC to help me switch to DUA after the storm damaged my workplace. Been calling for DAYS and can't get through - just endless busy signals or getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. So frustrating!!!! Has anyone found a good way to actually REACH someone who knows what they're talking about???
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Max Reyes
•After wasting two weeks trying to get through to TWC about my DUA claim, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call TWC for you and hold your place in line, then call you when they get a human. Saved me days of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Totally worth it for DUA questions since those require talking to specialized agents.
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Felicity Bud
•OMG thank you!!! Going to try this right now. I'm desperate at this point.
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Mikayla Davison
The TWC ppl told me something completely diffrent when I tried to aply for DUA after the tornado that hit my town last month. They said I had to choose either regular UI OR dua but not both?? Now im confused
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Adrian Connor
•The official TWC policy is that you must exhaust regular UI benefits first if you qualify for them, before receiving DUA. The representative you spoke with was incorrect. This is clearly stated on the TWC website under the Disaster Unemployment section. Always ask for a supervisor if you receive information that doesn't seem right, as not all agents are properly trained on disaster programs which are used less frequently than regular UI.
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Aisha Jackson
make sure you have documentation proving the internet outage was directly caused by the storm!!! i got denied DUA because they said i didnt have enough proof that my situation was storm-related. get letters from your internet company and your employer specifically stating the dates and that it was due to storm damage. also take screenshots of any news articles about internet outages in your area during that time.
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Kevin Bell
•That's a really good point. I've got the termination email mentioning the internet outage, but I should probably get something from the ISP too. Did you appeal your denial or just give up?
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Aisha Jackson
•i appealed and won but it took almost 2 months. the hearing officer was reasonable once i had all the documentation. definitely worth fighting for if you know youre eligible!
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Adrian Connor
TWC Representative here. I want to clarify the correct procedure: 1. If you qualify for regular UI benefits, you must exhaust those first before receiving DUA. 2. DUA is available to those directly affected by the declared disaster who either don't qualify for regular UI or have exhausted their benefits. 3. There's a deadline to apply for DUA - typically 30 days after the disaster declaration. If you've already applied for DUA and were put on regular UI, your DUA application should still be in the system. 4. Once your regular benefits are exhausted, call the DUA hotline at 800-939-6631, not the regular UI number. 5. You'll need to provide documentation showing your unemployment is a direct result of the disaster. Important: There SHOULD NOT be a gap in payments if you're eligible. The transition should be smooth if you call immediately after submitting your final regular UI payment request.
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Kevin Bell
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! That's incredibly helpful. I've already applied for DUA initially, so it sounds like I'm on the right track. I'll call the specific DUA hotline after filing my final payment request.
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Felix Grigori
my cousin went thru this after hurricane and said you gotta be super specific about dates and how the disaster directly caused your job loss. they're real picky about approving DUA claims
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Savannah Glover
•Your cousin is right. The key difference between regular UI and DUA is proving the direct disaster connection. When you're on the phone with TWC, use very specific language like "My job loss was a direct result of the March 2025 storms because..." Documentation is crucial - emails, letters from employers, service outage notifications, anything that creates a clear timeline connecting the disaster to your unemployment.
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Ryder Everingham
I went through a similar situation after Harvey back when I lived in Houston. The big thing they looked for was whether the unemployment was a DIRECT result of the disaster. In my case it was my workplace that got flooded not my home so that qualified. Since your situation involves infrastructure damage (internet) that prevented you from doing your job, that should qualify too. Just be clear and consistent with your explanation.
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Kevin Bell
•That's reassuring to hear. My situation is definitely a direct result - no internet meant I couldn't perform my remote work duties, which led directly to termination. I'll make sure to emphasize that direct connection when I call. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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