TWC used old wage info for my 2025 claim - benefits exhausted already?!

What you're experiencing is related to how TWC calculates your base period. For a January 2025 claim, they look at wages from October 2023 through September 2024. Your higher tech company wages from October-December 2024 aren't part of this calculation. Regarding the "benefits exhausted" - this likely means you're on the same benefit year as your previous claim. In Texas, a benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first apply. If you filed in January 2024, that year runs until January 2025. Any benefits you used during the first unemployment period count against your total. You need to contact TWC to request a wage investigation. They can review if all wages were properly reported by both employers during your base period. Also ask about filing a new claim once your current benefit year ends.

the same thing happned to me last month!!! twc is COMPLETELY broken system. i worked at a good job for 8 months making way more $$$ than before but they only counted my old job too. when i finally got someone on the phone they said i had to wait till my "benefit year" was over because its all one claim. complete BS if you ask me!!!!

You need to understand the difference between a benefit year and a base period. The benefit year is 52 weeks from your initial claim filing date, and your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount are determined at the beginning of that year. When your benefits show "exhausted," that means you've used all available benefits for that benefit year. Even though you had new employment, if it's within the same benefit year, you're still drawing from the same pool of benefits that was calculated at the beginning. You have two options: 1. Wait until your current benefit year ends, then file a completely new claim that will include your higher wages in the base period calculation. 2. Request a review to see if you qualify for what's called a "subsequent benefit period" if your current claim is exhausted but your benefit year hasn't ended. Call TWC at 800-939-6631 to discuss these options.

After dealing with similar TWC phone issues (took me 3 weeks to reach someone!!!), I finally found Claimyr.com and it was a game-changer. It got me connected to a TWC agent in about 25 minutes instead of days of redialing. They have this demo video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Once I got through, the agent explained that my benefits were calculated based on my base period, not my most recent job. They couldn't change it mid-year, but they did check if I qualified for any extensions or other programs. Worth talking to an actual agent about your specific situation!

ppl in this forum always act like TWC is following some perfect system but the truth is they mess up ALL THE TIME. my cousin had almost the exact same situation and when he FINALLY got thru to them they found out they had miscalculated his benefits and actually owed him backpay!!! don't just accept what your seeing on the website, you gotta talk to a real person and DEMAND they look at everything cuz the system is broken af

I work with unemployment claims every day, and I can explain exactly what's happening: 1. When you file a UI claim, TWC establishes a benefit year (52 weeks from filing) 2. Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) and maximum benefit amount (MBA) are calculated ONCE at the beginning of that benefit year 3. If you go back to work and then become unemployed again during the same benefit year, you continue the existing claim - not start a new one 4. The "benefits exhausted" message means you've used all benefits allocated for your benefit year The fact that you made more money at the tech job doesn't change your current claim. You'll need to wait until your benefit year ends (52 weeks from your January 2024 filing) before filing a completely new claim that would include those higher wages. Unfortunately, this isn't something you can appeal because it's working as designed. However, you should verify that all your wages from the base period (Oct 2023-Sept 2024) were properly included in the calculation.

I had the EXACT same problem in 2024! My first job paid nothing and then I got a great job for 6 months and then lost it. TWC did the same thing to me - kept me on the old claim with the tiny benefit amount. Honestly there's not much you can do except wait until your benefit year ends. The system is SO frustrating. In the meantime, look into food banks and rental assistance in your area. Also call 211 - they connected me with some emergency resources while I was waiting. I know this sucks but hang in there! Once you can file the new claim it will be based on the better wages.

One additional thing to check - log into your TWC account and look at your claim and payment status. Check the "Maximum Benefit Amount" and how much you've already received. It's possible you didn't use much of your benefits during your first unemployment period, so the "exhausted" message after just two payments seems unusual unless your Maximum Benefit Amount was very low to begin with. If the numbers don't add up, there could be an error worth investigating. Sometimes TWC systems show "exhausted" when there's actually another issue with your claim that needs addressing.