Will my TWC claim be approved if I apply 2 weeks before my job contract ends?
I'm on a temporary contract position that's ending in exactly 2 weeks. My employer already told me they won't be extending it due to budget cuts. I know I'll need unemployment benefits right after, but I'm not sure about the timing. Can I apply for TWC benefits now, knowing my job will definitely end soon? Or do I have to wait until my last day of work? I've never applied for unemployment in Texas before and don't want to mess up my claim. Also, will the fact that my contract is ending (rather than being laid off from a permanent position) affect my eligibility? I've been at this job for 9 months if that matters.
23 comments
Join the conversation
Natasha Petrova
You need to wait until you're actually unemployed to file your claim. If you file while still employed, your claim will likely be denied. The day after your last day of work is when you should file. Contract ending is considered a qualifying job separation as long as you didn't choose to end it early. Make sure you have documentation showing the contract end date and that it wasn't renewed.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Thanks! I was worried about a gap between my last paycheck and benefits starting. Does TWC typically backdate claims or is there usually a waiting period after filing?
0 coins
Javier Morales
There's a waiting week for Texas unemployment. After you file, the first week is unpaid - it's called the "waiting week" and you'll get paid for it only after you've received benefits for 3 weeks. Make sure you request payment every two weeks even during that waiting period. Also, start doing your work search activities immediately (minimum 3 per week) and document them carefully.
0 coins
Emma Davis
•my husband didnt get his waiting week paid til he was on his 5th month so dont count on that extra $ right away lol
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
this happened to me last year with my IT contract. ended up being no problem at all for approval because contract ending is considered a layoff basically. make sure you have EXACT dates of employment though, twc checks everything!!
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•That's reassuring to hear. Were you able to get benefits right away or was there a review period? I'm trying to budget for how long I might need to stretch my savings.
0 coins
Malik Robinson
DON'T FILE EARLY!!! I made that mistake and it messed up EVERYTHING. TWC flagged my account for fraud investigation because I was still technically employed when I filed. Took me ELEVEN WEEKS to get it sorted out and get my first payment!!! By then I'd already found another job but was so behind on bills! The system is DESIGNED to find reasons to deny you.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Oh no, that sounds terrible! I definitely won't file until after my last day then. Did they make you repay anything or was it just a delay in getting approved?
0 coins
Malik Robinson
•Just a delay but it was BRUTAL. Had to explain in multiple phone calls and upload tons of documentation proving I wasn't trying to commit fraud. The worst part was not being able to get through to anyone at TWC to explain my situation. Phone lines always busy.
0 coins
Isabella Silva
When I needed to reach TWC about my claim status after my contract ended, I was going crazy with busy signals for days. Then someone told me about Claimyr.com which got me through to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes after trying for DAYS on my own. They have a demo video if you want to see how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Definitely wait until your contract officially ends before filing though. Contract ending is considered a qualifying job loss, but you have to be actually unemployed when you apply.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Thanks for the tip! I'll bookmark that service in case I run into trouble reaching TWC. Hoping the process goes smoothly but it's good to have backup options.
0 coins
Emma Davis
•does that really work?? ive heard of it but wasnt sure if it was legit
0 coins
Isabella Silva
•Yes, it got me through when I was desperate after trying for days. Was so relieved to finally speak to someone who could help with my ID.me verification issue.
0 coins
Ravi Choudhury
hey just so u know my brother works contract jobs all the time and he always gets unemploymet between them. the key is answring the separation question carefully. make sure u select "LAYOFF DUE TO LACK OF WORK" not "CONTRACT ENDED" when it asks why u separated. trust me this makes a big difference!
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
•This is actually incorrect advice. You should ALWAYS answer truthfully that your contract ended. Selecting "layoff" when it was actually a contract end could be considered misrepresentation and might result in an overpayment determination later. Contract ending IS a qualifying separation reason as long as it wasn't ended early by the employee.
0 coins
Javier Morales
One more important tip: Once you file, you'll need to request payment every two weeks even if your claim is still pending. If you miss a payment request period, you might lose benefits for that period. Set calendar reminders for your payment request days. Also, make sure you're ready to list all your work search activities - Texas requires at least 3 per week, and they do occasionally audit these.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Good point about the payment requests - I'll definitely set reminders. For the work search activities, does applying to jobs online count? Or do they need to be in-person applications?
0 coins
Javier Morales
•Online applications definitely count as work search activities. Other qualifying activities include submitting resumes, registering with WorkInTexas.com, attending job fairs, and creating profiles on job websites. Just be sure to document the date, employer name, position, and method of contact for each one.
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
when i finished my contract last yr it took about 10 days from filing to getting determination letter saying i was approved. first payment came like 3 days after that. not too bad actually!
0 coins
Malik Robinson
•You got INSANELY lucky. Most determination letters are taking 4-6 weeks right now according to what the TWC rep told me last month. System is totally backlogged.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
Since you mentioned your contract is ending due to budget cuts, make sure you get something in writing from your employer stating this. It could be an email or formal letter. This documentation will be helpful if TWC contacts your employer to verify the reason for separation. Sometimes employers dispute unemployment claims, even for contract endings, to avoid increases in their unemployment insurance rates. Having written proof that the separation wasn't your fault will strengthen your claim.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•That's excellent advice - I'll definitely get documentation from my manager. Should I also ask for a formal letter stating my contract dates and that I worked until the end of the term?
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
•Yes, absolutely. Get documentation that shows: 1) Your original contract terms including end date, 2) Confirmation that the contract is ending due to budget/business reasons (not performance), and 3) Verification that you worked through the agreed contract period. This creates a clear paper trail showing you had a qualifying job separation.
0 coins