I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to get through for three days straight and the call drops every single time right when I'm about to talk to someone. It's like they're doing it on purpose. One thing that helped me figure out what might be going on - I called my former employer directly and asked if they had reported anything to TWC recently. Turns out they had submitted some kind of update about my separation that triggered the additional info request. At least now I know what I need to clarify when I finally get through to someone. Have you tried calling super early like 6:55 AM and just sitting on hold until they officially open? Sometimes you can get in the queue before the system gets completely overwhelmed. Also worth trying the 800-939-6631 number instead of the main one - I've had slightly better luck with that line. This whole system is absolutely ridiculous though. How are we supposed to provide information if they won't tell us what they need and then make it impossible to reach anyone? Hope you get through soon!

Hey Freya, I totally feel your frustration - I went through this exact same nightmare about 2 months ago! The dropping calls are the absolute worst part because you waste so much time just to get disconnected right when you think you're finally going to talk to someone. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was going through it: that "additional information needed" message often doesn't show up in your online portal for several days, and sometimes the issue is something completely random like they need you to re-verify your identity or clarify one tiny detail about your work search. Since you have bills due Monday, I'd suggest trying the nuclear option - show up at your local Workforce Solutions office first thing Monday morning WITHOUT an appointment. I know some offices say you need appointments, but if you explain that you have bills due and haven't been able to get through on the phone for a week, they'll usually work with you. Bring all your documentation (ID, social security card, any TWC letters you've received, bank statements showing direct deposit setup). The good news is that once you actually get to talk to someone, these issues usually get resolved in 5-10 minutes. It's just the getting to someone part that's absolutely brutal. Hang in there - your payments will come through once this gets sorted out!

This thread has been incredibly reassuring to read! I'm currently on day 9 of waiting for my ID.me verification to sync with TWC, and seeing everyone's experiences has helped me stay calm instead of panicking. I made the mistake of calling TWC multiple times this week thinking something was wrong, but now I realize I just need to wait a bit longer since I'm still within the normal 3-10 business day window. The tip about checking "My Wallet" in ID.me to confirm TWC authorization was super helpful - just verified mine is there. It's frustrating how their systems don't communicate faster, but at least knowing this delay is standard makes the wait more bearable. Fingers crossed my status updates in the next day or two!

Reading through this entire thread has been so helpful for me! I just completed my ID.me verification yesterday and was already starting to worry when my status didn't update overnight. Seeing that the normal timeframe is 3-10 business days really puts things in perspective. I'm especially grateful for the tip about checking the "My Wallet" section in ID.me - I just confirmed that Texas Workforce Commission is listed there, so I know I completed all the steps correctly. The advice about continuing to request payments even while showing as unapproved is something I definitely wouldn't have thought to do on my own. This waiting period is stressful when you're counting on these benefits, but knowing that so many others have gone through the exact same experience and it worked out makes me feel much more confident. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this community support is invaluable when dealing with TWC's slow systems!

Just wanted to add to this amazing thread! I'm also going through my first unemployment experience after getting laid off in early January. Filed my claim last week and this discussion has been incredibly educational - especially about the waiting week policy that I had no clue about. What really strikes me is how much more helpful this community conversation is compared to the official TWC resources. The practical tips about spreadsheets for tracking work search activities, setting calendar reminders for payment requests, and the mobile app recommendation are all things I never would have thought of on my own. @CosmicCowboy - your quick payment gives me so much hope! I know everyone's situation is different, but it's encouraging to see that not everyone is experiencing those horror story wait times we keep hearing about. For anyone else following this thread, I've started implementing a bunch of the suggestions already: set up the mobile app, created a Google Calendar with all my important TWC dates, and I'm working on that spreadsheet for work search tracking this weekend. The tip about taking screenshots of payment request confirmations is brilliant too. Thanks to everyone who's shared their real experiences here. This is exactly the kind of practical information that makes navigating this system so much less intimidating for first-timers like us!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone new to the unemployment system! I'm currently waiting for my first payment after filing in early January, and seeing CosmicCowboy's success story really gives me hope that things might move faster than expected. The waiting week explanation finally makes sense - I had no idea this was standard practice and was also expecting two weeks' worth for the first payment. It's frustrating that TWC doesn't explain this clearly during the filing process, but at least now I know what to expect. I've been taking notes on all the great advice shared here and plan to implement several suggestions: setting up the mobile app, creating a detailed spreadsheet for work search tracking, and setting calendar reminders for payment request dates. The tip about screenshotting payment confirmations is something I never would have thought of but makes total sense for record-keeping. For work search activities, I've mainly been doing online applications, but the suggestions about virtual networking events, career workshops, and LinkedIn activities really open up more options. It's helpful to know there are different ways to meet the 3 weekly requirements beyond just submitting applications. Thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences - this community provides way more practical guidance than any official resource I've found!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm also relatively new to TWC (started about 6 weeks ago) and can confirm everything everyone's explained here. You definitely request every two weeks but receive two separate weekly payments, usually 2-3 business days apart. One thing I'd add that really helped me manage the uncertainty in the beginning - I created a simple note in my phone with my payment schedule pattern. After a few cycles, I noticed my payments consistently hit on Tuesday and Thursday after Sunday requests, so now I can plan my weekly budget around those specific days. Also, for anyone mentioning the work search requirements - I've found that volunteering activities can sometimes count toward your 3 weekly activities too (depending on the type), so don't overlook those if you're doing any community service while job hunting. Olivia, sounds like you've got everything figured out now and those interviews are awesome! The fact that you're already being proactive about budgeting and understanding the system shows you're handling this situation really well. Hope one of those opportunities works out! 🤞

I've been on TWC unemployment for about 8 months now (unfortunately still searching!) and can absolutely confirm what everyone's explaining here. You'll request payment every two weeks but receive two separate weekly deposits, typically 1-3 business days apart. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that might help with your budgeting concerns - if you have any partial work weeks (like if you get a temporary job or do some freelance work), TWC will still pay you for the partial week but will deduct your earnings. Just make sure to report any income when you do your payment request, even if it's just a few dollars. Being honest about earnings upfront saves major headaches later! Also, since you mentioned rent coming up - I learned to treat my unemployment payments like they're arriving a few days later than they actually do. So if I expect payments on Tuesday/Wednesday, I budget as if they're coming Thursday/Friday. This little buffer has saved me from stress when there are occasional delays due to holidays or banking processing times. Best of luck with those interviews! It sounds like you're being really smart about managing everything during this transition period.

I'm in week 7 of the same nightmare! Filed in mid-March, got my monetary determination letter saying I qualify, but my claim has been "under investigation" this entire time. My former employer is claiming I was terminated for poor performance when I was actually laid off due to downsizing - they even had me train my replacement before letting me go! The most frustrating part is that I've called TWC literally hundreds of times and either get a busy signal or sit on hold for hours before getting disconnected. I've filed all my payment requests religiously every two weeks but my account still shows $0 in payments. My savings are completely drained at this point and I'm behind on everything. What's really maddening is that TWC sent me that determination letter back in March saying I'm eligible, but then nothing happens! How can they say you qualify but then make you wait 2+ months for an actual decision? The system is completely broken. I have emails, my termination letter, and even a witness who saw the whole downsizing process, but apparently none of that matters until they get around to actually looking at my case. For anyone still waiting - definitely keep filing those payment requests no matter what. I've heard if you miss even one week, you lose that money forever even if you eventually get approved. This whole process is designed to wear people down until they give up.

I'm in almost exactly the same situation and it's driving me crazy! Filed my claim about 5 weeks ago, got the monetary determination saying I qualify, but it's been stuck "under investigation" ever since. My employer is also fighting it - claiming I quit when I was actually laid off due to company-wide budget cuts. What really gets me is how they can send you that determination letter saying you're eligible but then leave you hanging for weeks or months without any real updates. I've been doing my payment requests every two weeks like clockwork but my account balance is still $0. The financial stress is unreal when you're counting on this money to survive. I've tried calling TWC dozens of times but it's always busy or I get disconnected after waiting on hold forever. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like this is unfortunately pretty normal right now - which is both reassuring and infuriating at the same time. @Savannah Vin - those emails about budget cuts and your termination letter should definitely work in your favor! At least you have solid documentation. I'm in a similar boat with my layoff paperwork. Hopefully both our cases get resolved soon and we get that backpay. This whole system really needs an overhaul though - people shouldn't have to wait months for benefits they're legally entitled to!