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Keisha Brown

TWC work registration requirement - can I skip WorkInTexas registration if I had UI before?

So I just filed for unemployment last week after getting laid off from my construction job. I remember the TWC agent mentioning something about having to register on WorkInTexas.com, but I totally forgot until today. It's been like 6 days since I applied! Am I going to lose my benefits? Also, I had unemployment back in 2023 for like 3 months and I'm pretty sure I registered then. Do I still have to do it again or am I already in the system? The TWC website is confusing and I've been on hold for 2 hours trying to ask someone directly. Really don't want to mess up my claim over this registration thing.

You absolutely need to register with WorkInTexas.com as soon as possible! It's a requirement for ALL unemployment claims, even if you've had unemployment before. Not registering can definitely affect your benefits - TWC can withhold payments until you complete this step. Your previous registration won't count if it's been more than a year. I recommend: 1. Register immediately on WorkInTexas.com today 2. Take screenshots as proof you completed it 3. Make note of your registration date If your first payment request is coming up, do WorkInTexas registration BEFORE you submit that request. The system checks for your registration status when processing payments.

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Keisha Brown

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Omg thank you!! Going to register right now. Do you know if they'll deny payments retroactively since I didn't register right away? I'm supposed to request payment tomorrow actually

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Amina Toure

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i had same problem in febuary. ignored the workinTexas thing for like 2 weeks and my payment got delayed. big headache. just do it asap man dont wait!!

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Oliver Weber

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For anyone reading this thread with similar questions, here's the official policy: WorkInTexas registration is a MANDATORY requirement for ALL unemployment claims in Texas, regardless of whether you've filed before. Your previous registration typically expires after 90 days of inactivity, so you'll almost certainly need to register again for a new claim. Here's what happens if you don't register: - TWC can and will hold your benefit payments - You could potentially be disqualified from receiving benefits entirely - Even if you do eventually register, you might not get back pay for weeks you weren't registered The work registration requirement is separate from your weekly work search requirements (which is currently 3 work search activities per week for most claimants). Both must be fulfilled to maintain eligibility.

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FireflyDreams

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THIS!!!! The TWC agents won't always explain this clearly! They just say "register on WorkInTexas" but don't explain WHY or WHAT HAPPENS if you don't. I wish they would put this in bold on their website.

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I waited 2 weeks to register with WorkInTexas back in January and TWC put my payments on hold. Had to call them about 100 times before I could get someone to review my case. I spent DAYS just getting busy signals and disconnections. FINALLY I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a TWC agent in less than 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh After I got through to TWC, they told me I needed to register on WorkInTexas immediately, and that I wouldn't get any payments until I did. Once I registered and called back to let them know, they released my payment within 3 days. Definitely don't delay on this!

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Keisha Brown

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Thanks for sharing this. I'll check out that service if I can't get through soon. Just spent an hour registering on WorkInTexas - that site is TERRIBLE on mobile!

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I think everybody is overreacting a little bit here!!! I forgot to register on WorkInTexas for like a MONTH when I filed last year and my payments were fine. Maybe I just got lucky tho? Anyway the registration only takes like 15 min so just do it

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Oliver Weber

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You definitely got lucky. TWC's enforcement of the work registration requirement varies depending on their current backlog and staffing. During peak claim periods, they sometimes process payments without immediately verifying all requirements. However, they can (and often do) conduct retroactive reviews and issue overpayment notices if they find you weren't in compliance. I wouldn't recommend anyone count on getting "lucky" - the potential consequences of delayed payments or overpayment notices are too significant.

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Emma Anderson

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Quick question related to this - does creating a WorkInTexas profile automatically count as registering for work? Or are there additional steps after creating the profile?

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No, creating a profile is just the first step! To be fully "registered for work" you need to: 1. Complete your entire profile including work history 2. Upload a resume or create one using their system 3. Set your job preferences 4. Make your profile viewable to employers If you don't complete ALL these steps, TWC may not consider you properly registered. The system will show your registration as "incomplete" until all required sections are filled out. Don't just create the account and stop - you need to finish the entire profile setup.

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Amina Toure

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do you still have to regester if your on DUA disaster benfits??

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FireflyDreams

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DUA is different! For Disaster Unemployment Assistance the work registration requirement is sometimes waived depending on the disaster declaration. You should check your determination letter or call TWC to confirm, but generally DUA claims don't have the same WorkInTexas requirements as regular UI.

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Keisha Brown

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UPDATE: I finally got registered on WorkInTexas and made my first payment request today. The TWC rep I spoke with (after 3 hours on hold!) said since I registered before my first payment request, I should be fine. She said they look for the registration when they process the payment request, not when you first apply. Just wanted to update in case anyone else is in a similar situation. Also, that WorkInTexas site is BRUTAL - took forever to fill everything out and it kept timing out.

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Oliver Weber

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That's great news! You did exactly the right thing by registering before your first payment request. And yes, the WorkInTexas site is notoriously difficult to use - it's running on very outdated technology. Remember that in addition to being registered on WorkInTexas, you'll need to complete and document at least 3 work search activities each week before submitting your biweekly payment requests. The TWC is currently requiring 3 work search activities per week for most claimants, though this can vary by county and occupation.

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Yara Khalil

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Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I was in a similar situation last month where I delayed my WorkInTexas registration by about 10 days. What saved me was that I registered BEFORE my first payment request was due. The key thing to understand is that TWC checks your registration status when they process your payment request, not necessarily when you initially file your claim. However, don't use this as an excuse to delay - register as soon as possible because: 1. The WorkInTexas site can be glitchy and take multiple attempts 2. If there are any issues with your registration, you'll need time to fix them 3. TWC's processing times can vary Also, make sure you keep documentation of when you registered (screenshot the confirmation page) in case there are any disputes later. The peace of mind alone is worth doing it immediately rather than stressing about it like I did!

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Natalie Adams

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I'm dealing with something similar right now - just filed my claim 4 days ago and completely forgot about the WorkInTexas registration until I saw this thread! Reading through everyone's experiences here is super helpful. One thing I'm wondering about - if I register today but my first payment request isn't due until next week, should I call TWC to let them know I registered? Or do they automatically check when I submit my payment request? I'm worried about getting caught in that phone queue nightmare that everyone's talking about. Also, for anyone else who's procrastinating on this - just bite the bullet and do it now. After reading all these stories about delayed payments and overpayment notices, it's clearly not worth the risk to wait any longer!

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NebulaNinja

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You don't need to call TWC just to notify them that you registered - they'll automatically check your WorkInTexas registration status when you submit your payment request. The system is connected, so as long as you're registered before you submit that first payment request, you should be good to go. Calling TWC just to tell them you registered would probably be a waste of time (and sanity) given those crazy phone wait times everyone's mentioned. Save your phone calls for actual problems! You're smart to register now rather than waiting. Those 4 days you mentioned are nothing compared to some of the delays people have shared here. Just get it done today and you'll have one less thing to worry about when your payment request comes due.

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Adding to what everyone has shared - I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and want to emphasize a few points that might help others: 1. **The 90-day expiration rule is REAL** - even if you registered for a previous claim, you almost certainly need to register again. Don't assume your old registration is still active. 2. **Mobile vs Desktop matters** - like others mentioned, the WorkInTexas site is awful on mobile. Use a desktop/laptop if possible to avoid the frustration and potential timeout issues. 3. **Document EVERYTHING** - take screenshots of your registration confirmation, note the date/time, and save any confirmation emails. I had a friend whose registration somehow didn't show up in TWC's system and having that documentation helped resolve it quickly. 4. **Complete your full profile** - as Paolo mentioned, just creating an account isn't enough. You need to fill out work history, upload/create a resume, and set job preferences. An incomplete profile = not properly registered. The stress isn't worth it - just get it done ASAP. Better to spend an hour dealing with the clunky website now than weeks dealing with delayed payments later!

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This is such helpful advice, especially the part about documenting everything! I wish I had seen this thread when I first filed. I'm actually going through my second unemployment claim now (laid off again after being back at work for 8 months) and you're absolutely right about the 90-day expiration - my previous WorkInTexas registration was completely inactive when I tried to log in. Had to start from scratch. One thing I'd add for anyone reading this - if you're in construction like the original poster, make sure to list ALL your skills and certifications when setting up your profile. The system matches you with jobs based on what you put in there, and construction workers often have multiple certifications (OSHA, equipment operation, etc.) that can open up more job matches. It's tedious but worth doing right the first time!

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Ethan Clark

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I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim about a week ago and just realized I never registered on WorkInTexas. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both terrifying and reassuring at the same time. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you register on WorkInTexas, does it ask you to link it to your TWC claim somehow, or does the system automatically connect them? I want to make sure I'm not missing any steps that could cause problems later. Also, has anyone had issues with the WorkInTexas site not saving their information? I started filling out my profile yesterday and when I logged back in today, half of what I entered was gone. Super frustrating when you're already stressed about potentially losing benefits over this! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - definitely going to power through and get this completed today on my laptop instead of trying to do it on my phone.

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Zoe Papadakis

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The system automatically connects your WorkInTexas registration to your TWC claim - you don't need to manually link them. They use your SSN to match the accounts, so as long as you're using the same SSN for both, you should be good. As for the site not saving information - YES, this is a super common problem! The WorkInTexas site has terrible session management and will time out frequently. Here's what I learned the hard way: 1. Save your work every few minutes by clicking "Save" or "Continue" 2. Don't leave the page idle for more than 10-15 minutes 3. If you need to take a break, log out completely and log back in rather than just closing the browser 4. Keep a separate document with all your info typed out so you can copy/paste if you have to start over The site is definitely worse on mobile, so you're smart to switch to laptop. It's frustrating but once you get it done, you won't have to deal with it again (until your next claim if that ever happens). Just push through it today and get it over with!

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Raul Neal

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I went through this same panic last year! Filed my claim and then completely spaced on the WorkInTexas registration for almost 2 weeks. Here's what I learned: **Good news:** You're only 6 days out, which is way better than the 2+ weeks some of us have delayed. Since your first payment request probably isn't due yet, you should be totally fine if you register today. **About your 2023 registration:** Unfortunately, it's definitely expired by now. WorkInTexas registrations become inactive after about 90 days of no activity, so even though you were in the system before, you'll need to go through the full registration process again. **Pro tips from my experience:** - Use a computer, not your phone - the mobile site is a nightmare - Set aside a solid hour to complete everything in one sitting - Fill out EVERY section completely, including uploading a resume - Take screenshots of your completion confirmation The TWC website is super confusing about this requirement, but it's absolutely mandatory. Don't stress too much though - as long as you get registered before your first payment request, you should avoid any payment delays. Just get it done today and you'll have peace of mind!

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This is exactly the reassurance I needed to hear! I've been stressing about this all morning but you're right - 6 days isn't nearly as bad as I thought. I'm definitely going to tackle this registration today on my laptop and get it over with. One thing that's been bugging me - do you remember if TWC ever sent you any kind of reminder about the WorkInTexas registration requirement? I swear the agent mentioned it when I filed but I don't see it anywhere in my paperwork or emails. Makes me wonder how many people miss this step just because it's not clearly communicated! Thanks for the detailed breakdown and the reassurance that I'm not doomed. Time to stop procrastinating and just get this done!

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Malik Johnson

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Just went through this exact same situation a few months ago - filed my claim and then completely forgot about WorkInTexas registration for over a week! The anxiety was real, but here's what I learned: **You're actually in good shape at only 6 days out.** Most people don't submit their first payment request until 2-3 weeks after filing, so you have time to get this sorted before it becomes a real problem. **Your 2023 registration is definitely expired.** I had the same false hope, but those registrations go inactive after 90 days of no activity. You'll need to start completely fresh. **Here's exactly what to do:** 1. Register on WorkInTexas TODAY using a desktop computer (seriously, the mobile site will make you want to throw your phone) 2. Complete EVERY section - work history, resume upload/creation, job preferences, make profile searchable 3. Screenshot your completion confirmation and save it somewhere safe 4. Don't panic about calling TWC unless you run into actual technical issues The good news is that TWC checks your registration status when they process your payment request, not when you initially file. As long as you're registered before you submit that first payment request, you should be golden. I know the 2-hour hold times are brutal, but honestly, just getting registered is more productive than sitting on hold right now. You've got this! 💪

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This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm literally in the exact same boat - filed my claim 5 days ago and just now realizing I never registered on WorkInTexas. Reading everyone's experiences here has been both scary and reassuring at the same time. @Malik Johnson thanks for breaking it down so clearly! The timeline you mentioned makes me feel a lot better - I was panicking thinking I was already screwed, but if I have until my first payment request to get this sorted, that takes some pressure off. One quick question for anyone who s'been through this - after you register on WorkInTexas, do you get any kind of confirmation that TWC can see your registration? Or do you just have to trust that the systems are talking to each other? I m'the type of person who likes to double-check everything, especially when benefits are on the line! Going to tackle this registration today on my laptop. Wish me luck dealing with that awful website everyone s'been warning about! 🤞

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