TWC waiting week confusion - is it included in my final benefits amount?

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.

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?

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Just want to add that you should definitely keep all your documentation handy when you request that waiting week payment! I had to provide proof of my job search activities for that specific week even though it was from months earlier. TWC asked for my work search log and contact information for the employers I applied to during my waiting week. Luckily I had kept good records, but it would have been a nightmare if I hadn't. So make sure you can still access your records from that first week of your claim!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I'm down to my last payment and was so confused about the waiting week. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like the key points are: 1. Keep doing work searches even after benefits run out 2. Request the waiting week during your regular payment request period after balance hits $0 3. Keep all documentation from that first week handy One thing I'm wondering though - has anyone had issues with the TWC system not showing the waiting week request option after benefits are exhausted? I've heard some people say the option never appeared for them in their online account.

I'm brand new to this community but SO grateful I found this thread! I'm in the exact same situation - down to my last $278 in benefits and was having a total panic attack about the waiting week. This whole conversation has been more helpful than 4 hours on hold with TWC! @Andre Laurent - your breakdown was absolutely perfect and finally made everything click for me. Knowing I'll get TWO more payments instead of just one is going to save my budget next month. I've been keeping job search screenshots from Indeed and LinkedIn, so it's really reassuring to hear that's acceptable documentation. Definitely going to organize everything from my waiting week now while I have time. Quick question though - I've seen a few people mention using Claimyr to get through to TWC faster. Has anyone used that recently? I might need to call them about something else and those 3+ hour hold times are brutal! Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences. This community is honestly a lifesaver when TWC's website is so confusing!