I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare! Been approved for 2 weeks now but showing $0 paid with no ReliaCard received. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there was a specific payment services number (800-558-8321) instead of the main TWC line I've been calling endlessly. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear this is a massive system-wide issue with the TWC/US Bank ReliaCard integration. The fact that so many people have identical symptoms (approved claim, "paid" status showing $0, no card) suggests this isn't individual account problems but a major technical failure they're not being transparent about. I'm definitely going to try the Tuesday/Wednesday 10:30am calling strategy using @Oliver Alexander's magic phrase about checking "payment method processing status" specifically. Also sending an email to [email protected] tonight. @Mateo Rodriguez's tip about asking them to "refresh my payment method selection in the system" is brilliant too - that sounds like exactly what's happening with these stuck payment states. The stress of having approved benefits trapped in digital limbo while real bills pile up is crushing, but seeing people actually get resolved after persistence gives me hope. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions - this community support means everything when the official system completely fails us!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm a newcomer to unemployment benefits (never thought I'd be here either) and just got approved yesterday, but after reading through everyone's experiences I'm already dreading running into this same $0 payment issue. It sounds like this ReliaCard system glitch is so widespread that it's almost guaranteed to happen. I'm definitely bookmarking all the strategies you all have shared - the payment services number (800-558-8321), the Tuesday/Wednesday 10:30am timing, the specific phrases about "payment method processing status," and that email address [email protected]. It's honestly shocking that TWC isn't being transparent about this system-wide issue and we have to rely on community detective work to figure out how to access our own approved benefits. @Oliver Alexander and @Mateo Rodriguez - thanks for sharing those specific phrases that actually work with the reps. Those seem like the key to getting past the standard "everything looks fine" responses. And @Chloe Martin's documentation tips are brilliant - I'm going to start tracking everything from day one just in case. The financial stress you all are describing while waiting for approved benefits is exactly what terrifies me about this process. But seeing that people do eventually get their issues resolved with enough persistence gives me hope. This community support is invaluable when the official system is so broken. Thanks everyone for sharing your hard-won knowledge!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation right now! Just got laid off from my tech job and have been trying to reach TWC for the past four days with absolutely no luck. My longest wait was 3 hours and 45 minutes yesterday before I finally gave up when I had to leave for a doctor's appointment. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea about the 7:00 AM Wednesday morning strategy that everyone's recommending. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become tactical experts just to file for unemployment, but I'm definitely setting multiple alarms tonight to try that approach tomorrow. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I found that the TWC website has a "system status" page that shows if their phone lines or online portal are experiencing issues. It's at twc.texas.gov/news/system-status. Might save some people from wasting hours trying to call when they're having technical problems. Also, make sure you're calling the right number for your specific situation. I was calling the general inquiry line for two days before realizing I should have been using the new claims line instead. Thanks to everyone sharing their strategies and experiences here - it really helps to know we're all struggling with the same broken system together!

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating experience! Unfortunately, those 3+ hour wait times are completely normal right now - I went through the exact same thing when I filed my claim two months ago. What finally worked for me was calling at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday morning. I know it sounds brutal to set an alarm that early, but I got through in about 30 minutes instead of waiting all day. For your employer address question, definitely use the physical location where you actually worked, not their new relocated address - I had the same confusion and that's what the agent confirmed when I finally got through. Before torturing yourself with more phone calls though, try the online portal at ui.texasworkforce.org one more time with that address clarification. The system has actually gotten much better and you might be able to complete everything online without calling at all. If you do need to call, have all your employment documents ready - W-2s, dates of employment, reason for separation, etc. Once you finally reach someone, you'll want to move quickly to get everything resolved in one call. The system is absolutely broken and I know how stressful it is when you desperately need that income, but don't give up! The early morning strategy really does work. You've got this!

I've been getting TWC direct deposits for about a year now and want to share my experience to help with your planning. The midnight submission timing really doesn't make any difference - TWC processes all Wednesday requests in the same overnight batch regardless of when you submit during the day. However, since you're switching from paper checks to direct deposit for the first time, you should definitely prepare for a delay of 3-5 business days instead of the usual 2. My first direct deposit took 4 business days (arrived Tuesday around 11am) due to their verification process for new direct deposit setups. Given your tight car payment deadline, I'd strongly recommend calling your lender TODAY to explain you're waiting on first-time unemployment direct deposit verification - most auto loan companies understand this situation and will work with you if you're proactive about communicating. You can monitor your payment status on the TWC portal Thursday to see when it shows as processed. The good news is after this first deposit, your timing will become incredibly reliable - mine hits every Friday at 9:10am like clockwork now. Better to plan for Tuesday and be pleasantly surprised if it comes earlier!

I've been through this exact situation with TWC direct deposits and wanted to add my perspective. The midnight timing really won't make a difference - TWC processes all Wednesday requests in batches overnight regardless of submission time. Since this is your first direct deposit after switching from paper checks, you should definitely expect a delay of 3-4 business days instead of the usual 2. My first direct deposit took exactly 3 business days and hit my account Monday morning at 8:30am. Given your Friday car payment deadline, I'd absolutely recommend calling your lender today to explain you're waiting on first-time direct deposit verification - they're usually very understanding about unemployment timing delays. Also worth noting that once you get past this initial verification, the timing becomes incredibly consistent. My deposits now hit every Friday at 8:25am like clockwork, which makes budgeting so much easier. Don't stress too much - just plan for Monday/Tuesday and communicate with your lender!

I feel for you - this exact same thing happened to me a few months back and I was absolutely panicking! Here's what worked for me after trying everything else: Try logging in using the "Forgot Password" option even if you know your password. Sometimes this resets whatever is causing the authentication loop. After you reset it, wait about 30 minutes before trying to log in again. Also, if you have a friend or family member with a different internet provider, try using their connection. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes certain ISPs have issues with the TWC servers. One more thing - if you're using any password managers or auto-fill, disable them completely and type everything manually. The TWC system is super finicky about that stuff. Worst case scenario, show up at your local workforce office tomorrow morning with printouts of your error messages and all your documents. They have to help you if you can prove the system is blocking you from submitting on time. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but there are always workarounds. You've got people rooting for you! 🙏

I've been through this exact situation and know how stressful it is! Here are a few additional things that might help: Try logging in during off-peak hours (like 2-4 AM) when server load is lighter. Also, disable any antivirus software temporarily - sometimes they block the document upload feature on government sites. If you're still stuck, you can email your documents to your local workforce development office as a backup. Most offices have an emergency email process for deadline situations - call them first thing in the morning to get the email address. One more trick: try using Internet Explorer or Edge in compatibility mode. I know it sounds ancient, but these old government systems sometimes work better with older browser technology. Document every error message with timestamps and screenshots. If worst comes to worst and you miss the online deadline, having proof of the technical issues can help your case when you appeal or reapply. You've got this - don't let a buggy website defeat you! There are always alternative paths to get your application submitted. 🍀

Just wanted to share my recent experience with these verification calls - I got one last Friday and it was definitely legitimate. The caller had my exact weekly benefit amount and knew details about my previous job that only TWC would have access to. The whole process was actually pretty quick, maybe 12 minutes total. They asked me to confirm my employment dates, verify my current address, and answer a few questions about when I filed my initial claim. No requests for SSN or banking info like others mentioned. One thing that helped me feel more confident it was real - when I asked the rep for her name and employee ID, she gave it to me without hesitation and told me I could call back to verify if needed. My advice is to answer these calls but stay alert for any red flags like requests for sensitive financial info. The legitimate calls seem to focus on confirming information you already provided rather than collecting new data. Hope this helps anyone else who's dealing with this verification process!

I just went through this verification process yesterday and wanted to add my experience to help others who might be worried. I got a call from a 512 number on Monday and initially ignored it thinking it was spam. They left a voicemail saying they needed to verify my identity for my unemployment benefits to continue, but like others mentioned, no callback number was provided. After reading through experiences here, I decided to call the main TWC line at 800-939-6631 to verify it was legitimate before proceeding. The customer service rep confirmed I was selected for their Random Identity Verification Program and scheduled my verification call for the next day. When they called back, the agent knew specific details about my claim including my previous employer's exact business name and my weekly benefit amount. The whole call took about 10 minutes - they just asked me to confirm my employment history, verify my current address, and answer when I first filed my claim. They didn't ask for my SSN, bank info, or any sensitive data. My benefits continued without interruption. For anyone still dealing with this, my advice is to call TWC directly if you're unsure about the legitimacy of these calls, but don't ignore them completely as it could affect your benefits. The verification process itself is actually pretty straightforward once you know it's real!