When to request TWC waiting week payment with $754 left in benefits - timing question
I'm down to the last bit of my Texas unemployment benefits and trying to figure out the waiting week timing. I currently have $754 showing as my remaining balance (which is exactly what I get every 2 weeks). My next regular payment request date is this Wednesday. Do I request the waiting week payment as my final payment request? Or is the waiting week separate from my regular benefits amount? I'm confused because when I started unemployment, they said the waiting week would be paid after I've received 3x my weekly benefit amount and submitted my waiting week payment request. But now that I'm at the end of my benefits, I'm not sure if I need to do anything special to get that waiting week payment. If anyone has gone through this recently, would really appreciate some guidance! The TWC website isn't super clear on this specific situation.
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Mei-Ling Chen
The waiting week is actually the first week of your benefit year - they just don't pay it until you've received 3 times your weekly benefit amount AND you've either returned to full-time work or exhausted your benefits. Since you're at the end of your benefits, you should request your waiting week payment after your final regular payment request goes through. So in your case, make your normal payment request this Wednesday for the $754, and after that payment processes (usually 2-3 business days), then you can request your waiting week. You'll need to call TWC directly or use the Tele-Serv system to specifically request the waiting week payment - it won't happen automatically.
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DeShawn Washington
•Thank you for explaining! So if I understand correctly, I make my final regular payment request this Wednesday, then wait for it to process, and THEN make a separate request specifically for the waiting week? Will the system prompt me about the waiting week automatically, or do I need to call and specifically ask for it?
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Sofía Rodríguez
I just went thru this last month! Make ur regular payment request like normal. After that processes, u can request the waiting week. BUT the system didn't give me a option for it online, I had to call. Took forever to get thru!!
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Aiden O'Connor
•This is exactly right - they don't make it easy to claim that waiting week! I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to TWC on the phone to request my waiting week payment. The online system doesn't have an option for it once your benefits are exhausted. I finally got through by using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that holds your place in line and calls you when a TWC agent is available. Saved me days of frustration. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh But yes, you'll need to call specifically about the waiting week after your final regular payment processes.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
The system is super confusing with the waiting week! When my benefits exhausted in January, I thought it would automatically process the waiting week. Nope! I had to specifically call and request it. And FYI, the waiting week payment is only for your weekly benefit amount ($377 in your case), not the full two-week amount. Just so you're not expecting the full $754.
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DeShawn Washington
•That's helpful to know it's just the weekly amount! I was budgeting thinking it would be the full $754 again. So I'll get $377 for the waiting week once I request it. Makes sense since it's just one week.
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Jamal Brown
anyone know if the waiting week counts for the work search requirements too? do i still need to list 3 job contacts for that week or is it different???
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Mei-Ling Chen
•Yes, the waiting week is still subject to all the regular requirements, including the work search activities. You'll need to report your 3 work search contacts when you request payment for that week. The waiting week is treated like any other benefit week - the only difference is when it gets paid.
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Fatima Al-Rashid
I think TWC needs to make this clearer on their website. When I exhausted my benefits in 2025, I totally forgot about the waiting week payment and left money on the table for months until a friend reminded me! Call them ASAP after your final payment - don't delay!
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DeShawn Washington
•OMG that's good to know. I definitely don't want to miss out on getting that money. I'll make sure to call right after my final payment processes. Is there a time limit for requesting the waiting week after benefits exhaust?
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Giovanni Rossi
To clarify some confusion I'm seeing in these responses: 1. The waiting week is the first week you were eligible for benefits (at the beginning of your claim) 2. You can only receive payment for this week after you've been paid 3x your weekly benefit amount AND either returned to work full-time OR exhausted your benefits 3. In your case, since you're exhausting benefits, you'll need to make your final regular payment request first 4. After your final payment processes, you must CALL TWC or use Tele-Serv (866-274-1722) to specifically request your waiting week payment 5. The payment will be for ONE week's benefits ($377), not the full two-week amount 6. You have 14 days after benefits exhaustion to request your waiting week payment Hope this helps clear things up!
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DeShawn Washington
•Thank you for breaking this down so clearly! The 14-day deadline is especially important to know. I'll make my regular payment request on Wednesday, then call to request the waiting week as soon as that final payment processes, definitely within the 14-day window. Really appreciate everyone's help explaining this!
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Aiden O'Connor
Just went through this in February when my benefits ran out. Here's my experience - after my final payment request, I tried using the online portal to request the waiting week but there was no option for it. I called the TWC number for FOUR DAYS straight and couldn't get through - constant busy signals or disconnects. Finally used Claimyr.com which got me connected to a TWC agent in about 2 hours. The agent processed my waiting week payment request and I received the money (just one week's worth, so $377 in your case) about 3 days later. Totally worth it rather than spending days trying to get through on my own.
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Jamal Brown
•is claimyr expensive? sounds useful but im really tight on money rn
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Aaliyah Jackson
THE TWC SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PEOPLE MISS OUT ON BENEFITS!!!! They don't tell you clearly about the waiting week payment process because they hope you'll forget about it! Then they keep YOUR MONEY that you're entitled to! I missed out on my waiting week because nobody told me I had to specifically request it after benefits exhaustion. CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY after your final payment!!!!
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Giovanni Rossi
•While I understand your frustration, TWC does actually explain the waiting week payment process in the benefits handbook they provide to all claimants, though it could certainly be clearer. The waiting week information is on page 11 of the current handbook. But you're right that claimants should be proactive about requesting this payment, as it won't happen automatically.
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