TWC waiting week confusion - is it included in my final benefits amount?
So I'm almost out of my regular TWC unemployment benefits. Looking at my account, I have $272 remaining in my balance (just enough for 1 more payment). I'm confused about how the waiting week factors in. I never went back to work during this claim, but I know I haven't been paid for my waiting week yet. Does anyone know if that $272 is actually my FINAL payment, or will I get that payment AND THEN be able to request my waiting week payment after? The TWC website isn't clear about this at all and I've been on hold for 3 hours trying to speak with someone. I'm trying to budget for next month and need to know if I'm getting one more payment or potentially two. Any help appreciated!
17 comments
Mateo Rodriguez
The waiting week payment is completely separate from your regular benefit amount. Your $272 remaining balance is just for your last regular payment. After that's exhausted, you'll be able to request payment for your waiting week, which will be an additional payment equal to your weekly benefit amount (assuming you meet all eligibility requirements for that week). So you'll actually get two more payments - your final regular payment of $272, and then the waiting week payment.
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. Do you know if there's anything special I need to do to request the waiting week payment, or will it automatically become available as an option after my benefits are exhausted?
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Aisha Abdullah
I think the waiting week counts as part of your benefits??? When I finished my benefits last year the system automatically added the waiting week to my last payment, at least I think that's what happened. The website is so confusing!! Have you checked if you qualify for an extension?
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Mateo Rodriguez
•That's not correct. The waiting week is paid separately after benefits are exhausted. It doesn't get automatically added to the last payment. You still need to request it during your regular payment request schedule after your benefits balance shows $0. Extensions are not currently available in Texas except in very specific disaster-related cases.
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Ethan Wilson
I just went thru this last month!! Your waiting week is separate. After you request your final payment and your balance goes to $0, you'll have one more payment request period where you can request your waiting week. Make sure you keep doing your work searches even after your regular benefits run out or you won't get the waiting week payment!
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Nia Thompson
•This is super helpful, thank you! I wasn't sure if I needed to keep doing work searches after my regular benefits ran out. I'll definitely make sure I keep up with them to get that waiting week payment.
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NeonNova
When I was on unemployment they NEVER paid my waiting week even though I requested it twice and sent messages through the portal. TWC is such a joke honestly
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Yuki Tanaka
•Same experience!!! i called like 20 times about my waiting week and never got anywhere. i think sometimes they just "forget" to pay it and hope you don't notice.
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Carmen Diaz
For me getting through to TWC was the key to resolving this exact issue. I was in the same situation last month. I kept calling the main number and getting nowhere until I tried Claimyr.com - it got me connected to an actual TWC agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The agent confirmed that yes, I would get my waiting week payment AFTER my regular benefits were exhausted, and she also explained exactly what I needed to do to make sure I received it. Much better than trying to figure it out from their confusing website.
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Nia Thompson
•I'll check this out! I've been trying to get through for days and I'm at my wit's end. Did they explain if there's any timing requirements for requesting the waiting week? Like, do I have to request it immediately after my benefits run out?
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Carmen Diaz
•You request it during your regular scheduled request period right after your benefits balance hits $0. So if you normally request payment every other Monday, you'd request your waiting week on the first Monday after your balance is gone. The agent told me it's important not to miss that request period because you might lose the waiting week payment if you don't request it on time.
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Andre Laurent
To clarify the Texas TWC waiting week process: 1. The waiting week is the first week of your claim that meets eligibility requirements 2. It is NOT paid until after you have received benefits equal to 3 times your weekly benefit amount 3. It is NOT part of your maximum benefit amount (MBA) - it's in addition to that 4. After your balance reaches $0, you'll need to make one more payment request during your regular scheduled time 5. You must continue meeting eligibility requirements (including work search) for that waiting week to be paid 6. The payment will equal one full weekly benefit amount So yes, you'll get your final $272 regular payment, and then you'll be able to request your waiting week payment separately. Just make sure you're still doing your work search activities during that final week.
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Nia Thompson
•This is exactly what I needed! Thank you for laying it out so clearly. One last question - if I happen to find work before my benefits are completely exhausted, would I still be eligible for the waiting week payment after I report that I've returned to work?
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Andre Laurent
•Yes! Even if you find work before exhausting your benefits, you're still entitled to your waiting week payment. You would report your return to work when you make your final payment request, and then you would still be able to request the waiting week payment during your next scheduled payment request period. The system will know you're just requesting the waiting week at that point.
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Yuki Tanaka
i had this same question and kept getting differnt answers from people! the twc website is absolutely useless on this topic lol. glad u asked here bc now i know for my own situation too
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Aisha Abdullah
Wait I just remembered something else - don't forget to apply for SNAP if you're about to run out of unemployment! They're pretty quick with approvals these days and you might qualify for the maximum amount if you have no income. Texas Health and Human Services has an online application.
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Nia Thompson
•That's a great suggestion, thanks! I hadn't even thought about SNAP benefits. I'll definitely look into that.
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