Just to clarify for everyone - there's an important distinction between regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits exhaustion and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). When your regular UI benefits exhaust, you typically don't automatically qualify for DUA unless you're in an area affected by a federally declared disaster AND your continued unemployment is directly related to that disaster. The OP may have qualified because they were in an affected area and could demonstrate their continued unemployment was disaster-related. For most people whose benefits have exhausted, Extended Benefits or other UI extensions would be more appropriate than DUA (when available). If you need to contact TWC about your specific situation, persistence is key. If you're struggling to get through on the phone, consider scheduling an in-person appointment at your local Workforce Solutions office. They can sometimes help facilitate communication with TWC.

This is really helpful to hear! I've been struggling to get through to TWC for weeks after my benefits exhausted in early July. I'm also in one of the flood-affected counties but didn't realize I might still be able to apply for DUA. Did you have to provide any documentation proving your job loss was disaster-related, or was being in an affected county enough? Also, when you say you "completed 6 payment requests" - were those for all the weeks between when your regular benefits ended and when the DUA was approved? I'm trying to figure out how much backpay might be possible if I can get through to someone helpful like you did.

One thing to remember about the waiting week payment - when you do request it after finding work, the system might ask you to verify your employment details like start date, employer name, etc. Make sure you have all that information ready when you file for it. I had to submit my first paystub as verification when I claimed my waiting week.

Just want to add that timing matters here - if you're at the end of your regular benefits and expecting a job offer soon, you might want to file for the waiting week sooner rather than later. The processing can take a few days, and if you start your new job before the payment goes through, you'll need to report that employment change which could complicate things. Better to get it submitted while your status is clear and straightforward. Good luck with the job interview - hope you get that offer!

Quick update on the evidence question - yes, you should provide whatever documentation you have. For my wage claim, I included: 1. A copy of my time card for the final week 2. Text messages with my manager about my last day 3. A calculation of exactly what I was owed (hours × rate) 4. Evidence that I attempted to collect my check (texts asking about it) TWC actually resolved my case pretty quickly (about 6 weeks total). The online submission is definitely faster than mail. The form will ask for very specific information about your employment, so have your start date, end date, job title, manager's name, etc. ready before you begin.

Just wanted to add that if you do decide to file for unemployment benefits alongside your wage claim, make sure to mention the excessive mandatory overtime when you fill out your application. Texas considers "working conditions that are so unreasonable that a person of ordinary prudence would have felt compelled to resign" as good cause for quitting. Working 12 days straight and consistently being scheduled for 50+ hours when you requested fewer hours could definitely fall under this category. Keep all those text messages and schedule copies - they'll be crucial evidence for both your wage claim and any potential unemployment case. Good luck getting your money back!

I finally got through to TWC after trying for 3 weeks straight (busy signals, disconnects, the whole mess). I used Claimyr.com to get connected - took about 15 minutes instead of days of calling. The agent I spoke with confirmed that for DUA claims, they CAN backdate to when the disaster affected your employment, regardless of when you filed, as long as you filed within the disaster-specific deadline (which was extended for the May storms). Definitely worth checking out their service if you're still having trouble getting through. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh so you can see how it works. Good luck with your backdating! Based on what the agent told me, you should be eligible since you filed in July.

I went through something similar with DUA backdating last year. Here's what worked for me: I submitted everything through the TWC correspondence portal in writing rather than calling. Include a clear timeline showing when the disaster hit, when you lost work, and why you didn't file immediately. The key is being very specific about the connection between the disaster and your work loss. Since you have documentation that your client cancelled specifically because of storm damage, that's perfect evidence. Also mention that you're self-employed and weren't aware of DUA eligibility - that's considered valid good cause. One tip: when you submit the request, ask for a written determination with appeal rights. Sometimes they'll deny backdating verbally over the phone but approve it when you force them to put their decision in writing. The written process seems to get better results because supervisors review it more carefully. Good luck! With the extended deadline and your solid documentation, you should have a strong case.

UPDATE: My payment just processed! It's now showing as "paid" on the portal with today's date. Should be in my account tomorrow morning. Looks like it was just delayed by a day. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance!

This is such a relief to read! I'm new to unemployment benefits and when my payment didn't show up on the usual day this week, I immediately started panicking that I had done something wrong. It's reassuring to know that occasional delays like this are normal and that TWC just sometimes runs behind on processing. The quarterly system updates explanation makes a lot of sense too. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is really helpful for newcomers like me who don't know what to expect!