I'm going through the exact same thing right now! 😩 Submitted my payment request this morning and the system is acting like it never happened. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea about the backend system vs public portal issue. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow. Quick question for those who've gotten through - when they find your request in their backend system, do they automatically process it or do you have to ask them to do something specific? I want to make sure I know exactly what to ask for when I finally get a human on the phone. Also planning to start taking screenshots of EVERYTHING from now on. Can't believe we have to protect ourselves like this from a government system that's supposed to help us, but here we are 🤷‍♀️ Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is like a masterclass in dealing with TWC's broken system!

This is such a frustrating but unfortunately common issue with TWC's system! 😤 I went through something very similar a few months ago and it was incredibly stressful. Here's what I learned from my experience: • Don't panic - in most cases, your submission actually went through but there's a sync issue between their public website and internal database • Call 800-939-6631 at exactly 8:00 AM - I literally set 3 alarms and started dialing at 7:59. Got through in about 25 minutes • Have everything ready: your SSN, the exact date/time you submitted, any confirmation emails (check spam folder too) • Ask them to check their "backend processing system" - use those exact words. The public portal and internal systems don't always sync • If they find it (which they probably will), ask them to "manually process the request" and send you email confirmation • Get the rep's name and a case reference number The rep I spoke with said this happens pretty frequently due to system synchronization issues, especially during peak submission times. Super annoying but usually not a lost request - just a display problem. Whatever you do, DON'T resubmit until you've had them check their internal system first. Duplicate submissions can create even bigger headaches. Hang in there - once you get a human who knows what they're doing, this usually gets resolved pretty quickly! 🤞

Ava, you're doing everything absolutely right! As someone who went through the exact same anxiety when I applied for TWC benefits after my restaurant job ended unexpectedly, I can tell you that your methodical approach and all this great community advice puts you in the best possible position. I just wanted to add one thing that really helped me during the waiting period - consider setting up a simple daily routine that includes both job searching and self-care. When I was waiting for my TWC decision, I made a schedule: mornings for job applications, afternoons for skills development (free online courses count as work search activities!), and evenings for something that helped me decompress. Having structure really helped manage the stress and made me feel productive even while waiting. Also, since you mentioned rent being due soon, don't forget that many utility companies and landlords have hardship programs right now. It's worth making a quick call to explain your situation - you might be surprised how understanding they can be, especially since you're being proactive about finding solutions. Your positive attitude and thorough preparation really shine through in all your responses. That same energy and organization is going to serve you well in both getting approved for benefits and finding your next job. Keep us posted - we're all pulling for you! 🌟

Ava, I'm so impressed by how thoroughly you've approached this whole situation! Reading through this entire thread has been really encouraging - you've gotten some fantastic advice and it's clear you're taking all the right steps. I went through something very similar about 18 months ago when the boutique I worked at suddenly closed due to lease issues. I was terrified about qualifying since I'd only been there about 7 months, but I ended up getting approved within 3 weeks. Your situation sounds even stronger than mine was - that $2800/month from your retail job is solid, and the seasonal work from November-December could definitely help push you over the threshold. One thing that really helped me during the waiting period was joining some local job search Facebook groups and networking events. Not only did it count toward my work search activities, but I actually found my current job through a connection I made at a career meetup. The Texas Workforce Commission website has a calendar of free job search workshops and networking events that might be worth checking out. Also, since you mentioned you're new to Texas, don't overlook temp agencies! They often have immediate openings and can be a great bridge while you're looking for something permanent. Plus, temp work can sometimes lead to direct hire opportunities. You've got such a great attitude and you're being so proactive - those qualities are going to serve you well both with TWC and in your job search. Fingers crossed for a quick approval! Keep us updated when you hear back! 🤞

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation too! My "under review" message disappeared yesterday and I've been nervously checking my account every hour since then. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like the disappearance of that message is generally a good sign that they've completed their review process. I'm trying to follow the advice about checking at set times instead of constantly refreshing, but it's so hard when you're stressed about finances! I've been keeping up with my payment requests and work search requirements just in case. For those who got approved after their message disappeared, did you notice any other changes in your account before getting the official letter? Like changes to your benefit year information or payment status? Hoping we all get positive news soon!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My "under review" message disappeared three days ago and I've been checking my account obsessively since then. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - it's reassuring to know that the message disappearing is usually a good sign that they've finished reviewing your claim. I've been continuing to request my weekly payments and doing my work search activities just like everyone recommended. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you have bills coming due, but it sounds like most people get their determination letter within 2-5 business days after the message disappears. I'm trying to limit myself to checking twice a day instead of constantly refreshing, but it's so hard! Hoping we all get positive news soon. This community has been such a lifesaver for getting real information about how the TWC system actually works.

This is exactly the kind of information I needed! I'm about to file my first unemployment claim with TWC and had no idea how holidays would affect payment timing. It's so reassuring to see that the delay was predictable and only one day. I've been worried about navigating all these timing issues, especially since I've never dealt with unemployment benefits before. The fact that everyone's predictions were spot-on gives me confidence that this community really knows the TWC system well. I'm definitely saving this thread for reference when I get to the payment request stage. Thanks for sharing your experience and for everyone who provided such detailed explanations!

This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm currently in week 3 of waiting for my TWC claim to be approved and seeing how smoothly the payment process worked for you once approved gives me hope. The holiday timing question is something I hadn't even thought about yet, but now I know to check the federal holiday calendar when planning my payment requests. It's really encouraging to see how accurate everyone's predictions were about the one-day delay. I'm definitely bookmarking this for when (hopefully!) I get to start making payment requests. Thanks for taking the time to update with your actual results - that kind of follow-through is what makes this community so valuable for people navigating TWC for the first time!

I'm going through this EXACT same situation right now! My part-time job at a small family restaurant - the owner has been ignoring TWC's verification emails for 9 days now because he thought they were spam. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. I had no idea TWC would still make a determination even if employers don't respond within the 14-day window, and that back payments come through once it's resolved. I'm definitely going to try the approach that so many people have mentioned about printing out the actual verification form and showing it to him in person, along with creating that one-page summary document that explains this is just routine verification of wages I've already been reporting to TWC. It's so frustrating how common this issue seems to be with small business owners thinking these are phishing attempts or some kind of investigation! But it's encouraging to see that once employers understand what's actually being asked of them, they usually respond pretty quickly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for my anxiety about this whole situation!

I'm currently in almost the exact same situation! My part-time employer at a local pizza place has been ignoring TWC's verification emails for about 12 days now. My manager keeps saying the emails "look suspicious" and that he'll deal with it "when he has time." Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful - I had no idea that TWC would make a determination even without employer response, or that back payments would come through once resolved. I'm definitely going to try the strategies mentioned here: printing out the actual verification form, creating a simple one-page summary explaining it's routine verification (not an audit), and timing the conversation during a slow period when he's not stressed. The approach of emphasizing that TWC already has all my wage info from my bi-weekly reports and just needs confirmation seems really smart too. It's crazy how many small restaurant owners think these are phishing attempts! Thanks everyone for sharing your stories - knowing this is so common and that it gets resolved eventually is really keeping my anxiety in check. I'll keep filing my payment requests and document everything just in case.