Where does my mom get her TWC PIN number for first-time online login?

For first-time TWC users, the initial PIN is usually mailed to the address on file after you create your account online. It typically takes 5-7 business days to arrive. However, she doesn't need to wait for the PIN to start her application process. She can call TWC directly at 800-939-6631 and request that they help her set up a temporary PIN over the phone to access her account. Once she has that temporary PIN, she'll be asked to create a permanent one when she logs in for the first time.

this happened to me in january. the pin comes in the mail but takes FOREVER. like almost 2 weeks for me. she should keep trying to call but good luck getting through lol

I had a similar issue and was getting really frustrated with the busy signals. I eventually used Claimyr to get through to TWC on the phone. It's a service that basically waits on hold for you and then calls you when a TWC agent is ready to talk. Saved me hours of redial attempts. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. The TWC agent I spoke with was able to verify my identity and set up a temporary PIN right away.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE U GIVE UP!!!! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get my PIN sorted out in March. Called 47 TIMES in one day and nothing!!!! This is how they keep their unemployment numbers down - make it IMPOSSIBLE to actually file!!!! When you do finally get through the agents are actually helpful but good luck with that!!!

tell her to hit forgot pin on the login page, sometimes that works and they can send a reset link to your email instead of waiting for mail

Another option is to visit a local Workforce Solutions office in person. They can often help with PIN issues on the spot. There are several locations in Houston. I recommend having her bring multiple forms of ID (driver's license, Social Security card, etc.) to verify her identity. The in-person offices are usually less crowded in the middle of the week and early in the morning.

btw make sure she knows that once she gets in she needs to do at least 3 work search activities each week and report them or they'll stop her benefits. they never told me this and i lost a week of payments

UPDATE: My mom was able to visit the Workforce Solutions office in Houston this morning. They verified her identity and helped her set up her account with a PIN right there! She's now submitted her initial claim. Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions!

Congrats to your mom for getting through the process! For anyone else reading this who might be dealing with PIN issues, here's a quick summary of what seems to work best based on this thread: 1) Try the in-person Workforce Solutions office first if possible - seems most reliable, 2) If calling, try early morning or mid-week for better chance of getting through, 3) Consider services like Claimyr if you're stuck on hold, 4) The mailed PIN can take 1-2 weeks so don't wait if you need benefits ASAP. Also great reminder about the work search requirements - that's something they really should make clearer upfront!

Just want to add that if anyone is still having trouble getting through by phone, I've found that calling right at 8 AM when the lines open gives you the best chance. I set multiple alarms and called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday and got through on the second try. Also, make sure to have all your information ready - Social Security number, previous employer info, and the last date you worked. The agents can move pretty quickly once they have you on the line, so being prepared helps a lot. Really glad your mom got sorted out at the office though - that definitely seems like the most stress-free option!

I went through this exact same situation with my dad a few months ago! One thing I learned that might help others - if your mom does end up waiting for the PIN in the mail, make sure she checks that her mailing address is correct in her TWC account. My dad's PIN got delayed because there was a typo in his apartment number that we didn't catch initially. Also, once she gets her benefits sorted out, I'd recommend she sign up for direct deposit right away if possible. The debit card they send can also take a while to arrive, and direct deposit is much more reliable. Really glad to see she got it resolved at the office - that's definitely the way to go if you can make it work!

This thread is so helpful! I'm currently going through this exact same process with TWC and was getting really frustrated with the phone system. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the in-person office visit is definitely the way to go. I had no idea that was even an option - I thought everything had to be done online or over the phone. Does anyone know if you need to make an appointment at the Workforce Solutions offices, or can you just walk in? Also, what are typical wait times like? I'm in Austin and wondering if I should plan to take a half day off work or if it's usually pretty quick once you're there.

For anyone still following this thread, I wanted to add that there's also a TWC mobile app that sometimes works better than the website for PIN-related issues. I had trouble with the desktop site but was able to reset my PIN through the mobile app's "Account Recovery" feature. It's called "Texas Workforce Commission" in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app seems to have fewer server issues than the main website, especially during peak hours. Also, if you do end up calling, I've found that using the Spanish language option (even if you don't speak Spanish) sometimes gets you through faster, and then you can ask to be transferred to an English-speaking agent. It's a bit of a workaround but desperate times call for creative solutions! Really glad your mom got everything sorted out though - the in-person route definitely seems to be the most reliable based on everyone's experiences here.

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who works in IT, I can add that TWC's system often has capacity issues during peak unemployment periods. If you're having trouble accessing the website at all, try accessing it very early in the morning (around 6-7 AM) or late at night (after 10 PM) when server load is lighter. Also, clearing your browser cache and cookies before attempting to log in can sometimes resolve authentication issues. For those still waiting for their PIN in the mail, you can track mail delivery through USPS Informed Delivery if you sign up - it'll at least let you know when TWC mail is coming so you're not checking the mailbox anxiously every day. The system definitely has room for improvement, but at least this community has figured out all the workarounds!

As someone who went through this exact same PIN nightmare last year, I can confirm that the in-person route is absolutely the way to go! I wasted almost two weeks trying to get through on the phone and waiting for mail that never came. Finally drove to my local Workforce Solutions office and had everything resolved in under an hour. Pro tip: if you're going in person, try to arrive about 15 minutes before they open (usually 8 AM) to be first in line. Also, bring a utility bill or bank statement in addition to your ID - sometimes they need extra proof of address. The staff there are actually really helpful once you can get face-to-face with them. It's just their phone and online systems that are completely overwhelmed. Really glad your mom got it sorted out so quickly once she went in person!

This entire thread is a goldmine of information! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. My sister is going through something similar right now in San Antonio, and after reading all these experiences, I'm definitely going to recommend she skip the phone runaround and head straight to the local Workforce Solutions office. It's incredible how much collective wisdom this community has gathered about navigating TWC's system. The combination of practical tips (arriving early, bringing multiple IDs, trying the mobile app) and realistic expectations (long wait times, system overload) is exactly what people need when they're already stressed about unemployment. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you're literally helping people get through one of the most difficult times in their lives!