Quick update to my earlier advice - when you file for unemployment, make sure to report that you've earned wages that weren't paid. There's a specific question about this in the application. This is important because TWC calculates your benefit amount based on your earnings, and you want those unpaid wages included. For your wage claim, you'll need to provide: - Your employment dates - Your regular pay rate - Hours worked that weren't paid - Names of managers/supervisors - Any written promises of payment And yes, file the unemployment claim ASAP because it can take 2-3 weeks for the first payment even after approval.

I went through something similar with a roofing company in Houston. They kept giving me the runaround for 3 weeks about my final check. What finally worked was sending them a certified letter stating I would file a wage claim with TWC if payment wasn't received within 5 business days. Got my check 2 days later! But honestly, don't even waste time with that - just file both claims now like everyone said. The construction industry pulls this stuff all the time thinking workers won't know their rights. Also, when you file for unemployment, make sure to keep detailed records of your job search activities from day one. TWC can audit those records anytime.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year. My employer claimed I "abandoned my job" when they actually laid me off. Here's what helped me win my appeal: 1. I wrote out a detailed timeline with exact dates and who was present when I was terminated 2. Got a statement from my coworker who witnessed the meeting where I was let go 3. Brought my employee handbook showing their termination procedures (which they didn't follow if I had really "quit") 4. Had my final paycheck stub that showed they processed it as a termination, not a resignation The hearing lasted about 45 minutes. The judge asked very direct questions like "Did you tell your employer you were quitting?" and "What exact words did your manager use when letting you go?" My employer's story fell apart when they couldn't provide any evidence I had quit voluntarily. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and lying employers get caught in these hearings more often than you'd think. Document everything you can remember and stay calm during the hearing. You've got this!

The appeal process through TWC is completely free - you don't pay anything to file an appeal or participate in the hearing. That's one of the great things about the system. Just make sure you file within that 14-day deadline from when you received your determination letter. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice from @Jade Lopez - if you have any text messages or emails from around the time you were let go, screenshot them now. Even something like a text to a friend saying "can't believe I got fired today" with a timestamp can help establish that you were terminated, not that you quit. Also check if your workplace has security cameras - sometimes you can request footage of you being escorted out or leaving after the termination meeting, though this varies by employer. The key is building a timeline that shows you were an employee in good standing who was terminated by the company, not someone who abandoned their job. Your perfect attendance record will definitely help with that narrative.

One more thing - if you can't find the card and need to request a replacement, be prepared to wait another 7-10 business days. If you're in a financial pinch, definitely switch to direct deposit like someone suggested above. Your existing funds will transfer to the new payment method.

Glad you found it! This is such a common issue - I work at a local community center and we get people asking about this all the time. The plain white envelope from U.S. Bank really does look like a credit card solicitation. We actually started telling people to expect it in our unemployment workshops because so many folks were accidentally throwing them away. Setting up direct deposit is definitely the way to go for future payments - much more reliable than waiting for mail!

I DID take one of their training programs last month for basic accounting and it was actually pretty good! The instructor was knowledgeable and they provided certifications that look decent on a resume. So while you're definitely not required to go, they're not all bad if you actually want to learn something new. Just depends on your situation I guess.

I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my manufacturing job 3 weeks ago and already had two of these "training opportunity" calls. The first specialist was pretty aggressive about enrolling me in some welding certification program, even though I've been welding for 8 years and have multiple certs already. What bothered me most was how they made it sound like I was missing out on some amazing opportunity that might not be available later. Classic sales pressure tactics! I politely declined and explained my experience level, but she kept pushing for like 10 minutes. Good to see everyone confirming these are totally optional. I'm sticking to my job search strategy and keeping detailed records like others suggested. Thanks for posting this question - clearly a lot of us are dealing with the same thing!

Anyone else notice how they always deposit the money on weird days? Like never when you expect it lol. Sometimes its tuesday sometimes thursday... driving me nuts trying to budget!

Just wanted to add - once you start receiving payments, they usually come 2-3 business days after you request them (as long as you request on your assigned day). The exact day can vary like others mentioned, but it's typically within that timeframe. Also, your first payment might take a little longer since it's your first time in the system. Don't panic if it doesn't show up immediately! And definitely set up direct deposit if you haven't already - it's faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail.