Has anyone tried faxing their appeal? I know it sounds old school, but I've heard it might get processed faster.

I'm dealing with the same nightmare right now! One thing that's helped me is calling the Tele-Center at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - like literally have your finger ready to hit call at 7:59:59. I've also heard that if you call around 11:30 AM or 2:30 PM, you might catch them during shift changes when there's less volume. Also, make sure you have your appeal paperwork ready to submit online or by mail as a backup - don't rely solely on getting through by phone. The deadline for appeals is usually pretty strict (I think it's 14 days from when you received the determination letter), so you don't want to miss it while waiting for a callback. Stay strong! This system is absolutely broken but people do eventually get through. 💪

Quick update for anyone reading this thread in the future: As of January 2025, TWC has made some improvements to the Tele-Serv system. It now explicitly states "Your payment request has been successfully processed" at the end of a successful call, rather than just saying to contact TWC. This should help reduce confusion for claimants like the original poster who switch between the website and phone system.

I'm glad you got this sorted out! Reading through everyone's responses, it's clear that the "too early to request payment" message is actually confirmation that your Tele-Serv request worked. I've been using both the website and Tele-Serv interchangeably for months without any issues - they're both connected to the same system, so switching between them doesn't cause problems. One tip for future reference: if you ever want to double-check that your payment request went through, you can call the Tele-Serv number again and just listen to your claim status without submitting a new request. It'll tell you when your last payment request was processed. The website's payment history section is also really helpful for tracking this stuff!

UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC this morning after using that Claimyr service someone recommended! The agent confirmed my interview is scheduled for next Wednesday at 1:30pm. Apparently they sent the notice last week but to my old address even though I updated it online when I filed. The agent updated my address again and said I should receive a determination within 7-10 days after the interview. She also explained that my former employer is claiming I walked off the job after an argument with my supervisor, which is completely false. I was told to leave after I questioned a new policy that violated our employee handbook. I have documentation and witness statements ready for my interview. Thanks everyone for your advice and support! I'll update again after my interview next week.

Congratulations on finally getting through and getting your interview scheduled! That's a huge step forward. Just wanted to add that during your interview, make sure to emphasize that you were willing and able to continue working - that's a key factor TWC looks for in determining if it was truly a termination vs. voluntary quit. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from that day showing you were surprised by being let go, those can be really powerful evidence. The fact that your employer is now changing their story (from "quit" to "walked off after an argument") actually works in your favor because it shows inconsistency on their part. Stay strong - you're almost through this nightmare!

One thing to keep in mind is that the TWC representative has to follow a script and ask certain questions for legal reasons. Their demeanor shouldn't affect the outcome if your case is legitimate. For position elimination cases, the TWC is primarily checking: 1. That you were indeed laid off and didn't quit 2. That there was no misconduct involved 3. That you're available and actively searching for work Since you mentioned you have documentation confirming the elimination of your position, you're in a strong position. The determination is typically made within 7-10 business days after the fact-finding interview. If you haven't received a determination letter by then, you can check your claim status online or try contacting them again.

let us know what happens!! this is so stressful

After reading all the comments, I'd say it's worth filing the Further Appeal if you have those text messages to your supervisor and doctor's notes. Make sure to emphasize: 1. The timeline of your injury 2. Exactly how your supervisor ignored medical restrictions 3. Any witnesses who saw how you were treated 4. Why you felt going to HR wouldn't help (any past examples?) Also, definitely try to speak with a TWC representative about your specific case. Sometimes they can give insights about what the Commission looks for in these cases. The 14-day deadline is strict, so don't wait too long to decide.

Good luck with your Further Appeal! You're making the right choice by fighting this. Make sure to organize your documentation chronologically and focus on the legal standard - that any reasonable person in your situation would have quit due to the work injury and your employer's failure to accommodate your medical restrictions. The text messages showing you tried to communicate with your supervisor about your limitations could be crucial evidence. Even if the Further Appeal doesn't succeed, you're building a stronger record for any future claims or potential legal action. Keep us updated on how it goes!