TWC website glitch: Can't file 2025 claim due to old 2020 claim still showing
I've been trying for 3 days straight to file a new unemployment claim but the TWC website keeps showing my old claim from 2020 and then crashes when I try to start a new application! Every time I click "Apply for Benefits" it loads for like 30 seconds and then kicks me back to the login screen. I've tried different browsers, clearing cache, even my phone - same problem everywhere. Called the main number probably 20+ times but all I get is the busy signal or it hangs up after the automated message. Really getting desperate as I was just laid off last Thursday (construction company downsizing) and rent is due in 2 weeks. Has anyone else had this issue with old claims blocking new ones? Is there some secret backdoor way to file or an actual working phone number?
26 comments

Ev Luca
same thing happend to me in January!! the old system is messed up and doesnt know how to handle expired claims properly. so frustrating!!!
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorDid you ever get it resolved? I'm getting really worried because my savings are basically gone after paying for my kid's braces last month.
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Avery Davis
This is actually a known issue with the TWC system. What's happening is that your previous claim from 2020 is still in their database but in a status that confuses the application system. You have three options: 1. Keep calling the main TWC number (800-939-6631) early in the morning right when they open at 7am - that's your best chance to get through 2. Try using the Tele-Serv automated system (800-558-8321) and select option 2 to speak to a representative about your claim status 3. Visit a local Workforce Solutions office in person - they can help resolve these database issues The main thing is you need to get a TWC representative to manually reset your account status so you can file a new claim. Unfortunately, there's no DIY fix for this particular glitch.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorThank you! I'll try the Tele-Serv number tomorrow morning. Do you know if there's a way to tell if my old claim is actually closed in their system? The website shows it as "exhausted" but maybe that's different from closed?
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Avery Davis
" Exhausted just means you used all available benefits, but the claim record itself stays in the system. A TWC rep needs to change your status flag in their database. And honestly, calling first thing in the morning is still going to be frustrating -'you ll likely get busy signals fordays.
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Collins Angel
TWC is THE WORST with their phone systems! I spent 2 weeks trying to reach someone about my payment request issue before giving up and driving 45 minutes to the workforce center. Total joke that our tax dollars fund this broken system!!!
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Marcelle Drum
i had this exact problem last month!! u need to talk to someone in the benefits department not the regular customer service. when i finally got through they had to do something called a "claim reset" because the old one was blocking the new application. took about 5 minutes once i actually talked to someone lol
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorHow did you finally get through? I've been trying all the numbers with no luck!
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Tate Jensen
After experiencing the same frustration with trying to reach TWC, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes. It basically keeps dialing for you and calls you when it gets through. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked when I needed to fix an ID.me verification issue. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a demo video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Once I finally reached someone, they were able to reset my account status so I could file a new claim. Apparently this is a common problem when you've had a previous claim in the system.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorThanks for the tip! I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Did they explain what causes this issue with old claims?
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Tate Jensen
The agent told me it's because their system was reconfigured after all the pandemic programs ended, and sometimes claims from that period don't get properly archived in their database. The rep has to manually update your status to allow a new application. They can also start your new claim over the phone once they fix the database issue.
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Ev Luca
thats so weird because the lady I talked to said something totally different! she said it was because of my work search documentation from my old claim that was marked as pending or something?? seems like nobody at TWC knows whats really going on LOL
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Adaline Wong
Another option is to try emailing TWC through their contact portal on the website. I had an issue with claiming my payment requests and couldn't get through on the phone either. I sent a detailed email, and surprisingly someone got back to me within 3 days and helped resolve my issue. Make sure you include your claim ID (if you know it), last 4 of SSN, and a clear description of the problem you're having with the old claim blocking your new application.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorI'll try that too! Where exactly is the contact portal? I looked around the website but couldn't find an email option.
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Adaline Wong
Go to twc.texas.gov > Unemployment Benefits > Contact TWC (at bottom of page) > then there's a form where you can submit your question. I think it's technically not email but it goes to their customer service team.
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Gabriel Ruiz
The problem is that their contact form just generates an auto-reply most of the time. I submitted THREE messages about my ID.me verification issues and never heard back from a real person. Going to a Workforce Solutions office in person is honestly the most reliable solution if you can make it to one. They have direct lines to TWC that we don't have access to. Also, make sure when you do file that you accurately report your reason for separation. SO MANY people get tripped up because they select "laid off" when their situation was technically something else like "position eliminated" or "lack of work." TWC is super picky about these distinctions and will delay your claim if they need to investigate.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorThanks for the warning about separation reason. I got a letter saying "position eliminated due to company restructuring" - would that be "laid off" or something else in their system?
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Gabriel Ruiz
That would be "Reduction in Force" or possibly "Position Eliminated" depending on their current dropdown options. Definitely NOT "laid off" which TWC often interprets as temporary. Your situation sounds like a permanent separation through no fault of your own, which is what you want to communicate. Make sure you have that termination letter handy when you file!
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Marcelle Drum
update?? were u able to file yet??
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Lukas Fitzgerald
AuthorYES! Finally got through yesterday using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Was connected to a TWC agent in about 30 mins. She said my old claim was still marked as "active" in their system even though benefits were exhausted, and that was preventing me from filing online. She did some kind of reset and then helped me file a new claim right over the phone. Such a relief! Now just waiting for the determination letter. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Morgan Washington
Glad to hear you got it sorted out! For anyone else dealing with this same issue, another tip is to try filing your claim very early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) or late at night when there's less traffic on the TWC servers. Sometimes the system glitch is worse during peak hours when everyone's trying to access it. Also, if you do get through to file online eventually, make sure to print or screenshot EVERYTHING - confirmation numbers, application pages, etc. The TWC system has been known to "lose" applications during these database hiccups.
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QuantumQuasar
That's really helpful advice about the early morning filing! I've been dealing with something similar where the website times out constantly. Did you ever figure out if there's a way to tell beforehand if your old claim is going to cause issues, or do you just have to try filing and see what happens? I'm worried about starting the process and then getting stuck halfway through like what happened to the original poster.
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NebulaNinja
From what I've seen in this thread and my own experience, there's no real way to check beforehand if your old claim will cause problems. The TWC system doesn't give you a clear status indicator that would warn you about potential conflicts. Your best bet is to try filing online first during off-peak hours like Morgan suggested, and if you run into the same issue where it kicks you back to login or shows your old claim, then you know you'll need to call for that manual reset. At least now we know it's a fixable problem once you get through to someone who knows what they're doing!
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Eli Wang
From what I've seen, if you can log into the TWC portal and see your old claim listed as "exhausted" or anything other than "closed," that's usually a red flag that it might interfere with a new application. The safest bet is probably to call ahead and have them check your account status before you waste time trying to file online. I learned this the hard way after spending hours on a partially completed application that got wiped when the system crashed!
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Ahooker-Equator
From what I've seen, there's no real way to check beforehand if your old claim will cause issues - you basically have to try filing and see what happens. The TWC system doesn't give you any warning messages about conflicting claims. If you're worried about getting stuck halfway through, I'd suggest having the Claimyr service ready to go before you even attempt filing online. That way if you hit the same glitch, you can immediately start the process of getting through to a rep instead of wasting days trying to call manually like most of us did. Also keep all your employment documents handy since the rep can file your claim over the phone once they fix the database issue.
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Aurora St.Pierre
From what I've seen in this thread and my own experience, you can't really tell beforehand if your old claim will cause problems. The system doesn't give you any warning - it just crashes or loops you back to login like what happened to Lukas. If you had any unemployment claim during 2020-2021 (especially pandemic-related), there's a decent chance you'll run into this database issue. My suggestion would be to try filing online first during off-peak hours like Morgan mentioned, but if you get stuck or see any weird behavior with old claim info showing up, don't waste days trying different browsers. Just go straight to calling or using one of those callback services to get it fixed by a rep. The longer you wait, the more stressful it gets when bills are due!
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