Just want to add one more thing - make sure you keep detailed records of when you start working and what you earn each week. I learned this the hard way when TWC asked me to verify my employment dates and earnings months later. Having pay stubs, start date documentation, and a simple calendar noting your work days will save you major headaches if they ever audit your claim. Good luck with the new job!

Make sure you understand the difference between your benefit year end date and when your benefits actually stop. Even if you start working full-time, your benefit year doesn't automatically close - you'd still need to request your waiting week payment later if you become eligible. Also, once you start the new job, you can still file payment requests if your hours get cut or if the job doesn't work out, as long as you're within your benefit year. Just keep your claim active by continuing to request payments (even if you report full-time work) until you're certain the job is stable.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when I applied as a contract employee, TWC actually has a specific section in their online application for "contract workers." They ask directly whether your employer withheld taxes and paid into unemployment insurance. Having that letter from your employer confirming they paid UI taxes is gold - it basically answers their main concern upfront. I'd also suggest keeping copies of a few recent paystubs that show the tax withholdings, just to have backup documentation. The whole process was way less complicated than I expected once I had the right paperwork together. Good luck with your application!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're in web development like me, make sure to check if any of your previous contract work from other companies also counts toward your base period wages. I found out TWC looks at ALL employers who paid UI taxes on your behalf during that 4-quarter period, not just your most recent one. So if you worked for multiple companies as a contract employee over the past year, those wages can add up and potentially increase your weekly benefit amount. I had completely forgotten about a 3-month contract I did early last year until I saw it show up in my wage record - it actually bumped my WBA up by about $80/week! Definitely worth double-checking your full employment history when you apply.

Just want to add that you should also check if your contract employer paid into the unemployment insurance system. Some contractors work as 1099 independent contractors, which means they wouldn't be eligible for regular unemployment benefits. However, if you were classified as a W-2 employee (even on contract), then you should be covered. You can verify this by checking if unemployment taxes were deducted from your paychecks. If you were misclassified as a 1099 when you should have been W-2, that's a separate issue you might need to address with TWC. Also, keep copies of everything you submit - emails, letters, forms. TWC's system can be glitchy and documents sometimes get lost in their system.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I was in a very similar situation! My 8-month contract ended in December due to company restructuring, and I was approved for benefits within 3 weeks. A few key things that helped me: 1) I made sure my employer's separation letter specifically mentioned "elimination of position due to budget constraints" rather than just "end of contract," 2) I applied online the Sunday after my last work day, and 3) I kept detailed records of all my work search activities from day one. The hardest part was actually getting through to TWC when I had questions - definitely recommend calling early in the morning or late in the day for better chances. Also, don't stress too much about the application process itself - it's pretty straightforward once you have all your employment history and earnings information ready. You've got this!

Another tip regarding your first payment - if you've selected direct deposit, make sure your banking information is entered correctly. If there's any error, it will default to a TWC debit card which can take an additional 7-10 days to arrive by mail. Double-check your direct deposit details in your TWC account to avoid delays with that first lump sum payment.

Just wanted to add from my recent experience - when you do get that first big payment, don't forget that taxes aren't automatically withheld unless you specifically request it during your application. I learned this the hard way when I got a big tax bill the following year. You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld from each payment, or handle it yourself, but definitely plan for it either way. The last thing you want is to spend that whole first payment and then owe the IRS later!