Thanks for the tip! We'll definitely send it certified mail. On average, how long after they receive the documentation did most of you see the payment get released?

Just went through this exact same situation last month! My advice - don't panic, this is actually pretty routine. When I marked "unable to work" for my surgery days, my payment went into review status within 24 hours. The key things that helped me: - I kept requesting payments every week even while under review (this is CRUCIAL) - I gathered all my hospital discharge papers and doctor notes ahead of time - When the form arrived, I responded within 48 hours The whole process took about 8 business days from when I sent back the documentation. I did lose payment for the 3 days I was actually in the hospital, but got full benefits for the other days in that week when I was available to work. Your husband did the right thing by being honest - lying would have been way worse if they found out later. Hang in there, it will get resolved!

Update on your question about documentation: Even without written documentation, you can still make a strong case. Focus on: 1. The recency of the procedure change 2. How the training was conducted 3. Whether others also misunderstood the new procedure 4. Your overall performance history before this incident During your interview, clearly articulate that you were making a good-faith effort to follow procedures but misunderstood some aspect of the new process. The fact that you made the same specific mistake consistently actually helps your case - it shows a genuine misunderstanding rather than negligence. Regarding the phone interview timeline: Currently TWC is scheduling these about 2-3 weeks after initial claims are filed for separation issues. Continue requesting payment every two weeks even while waiting for the determination.

I went through something very similar with a call center job in Dallas. Got fired for "policy violations" that were really just me not understanding a new system they rolled out. TWC approved my benefits after the phone interview because I was able to show it was an honest mistake, not willful misconduct. The key things that helped me: 1) I emphasized my good work history before the incident, 2) I explained exactly how the new procedure was confusing, and 3) I stayed calm and factual during the interview. Don't let them intimidate you - honest mistakes happen and TWC knows the difference between that and actual misconduct. File your claim ASAP and don't stress too much about the employer fighting it. Most of these cases come down to whether you were trying to do your job correctly or not, and it sounds like you clearly were.

make sure hes doing his work searches!!! my friend got audited and had to pay back $$ because he didnt keep proof of all his job applications

I went through this exact same situation with TWC about 8 months ago when my retail job cut hours to basically nothing. Here's what I learned the hard way: Your first payment will definitely only cover ONE week because of the waiting week policy. Even though you'll certify for two weeks on Dec 10th, you won't get paid for that first week until much later in your claim (after you've collected benefits equal to 3x your weekly amount). One thing I wish someone had told me - the payment processing can sometimes take longer than the estimated date, especially around holidays. Don't panic if the Dec 18th deposit doesn't hit exactly on time. Mine was delayed by 2 days during Thanksgiving week. Also, start keeping a spreadsheet of ALL work search activities now. I used a simple Google Sheet with columns for date, company name, position applied for, and method (online, in person, etc.). TWC can audit you at any time and they want very specific documentation. Better to be over-prepared than scramble later! The uncertainty is really stressful but you're doing the right thing by planning ahead. Hang in there!

I just wanted to add something that might help - if you're concerned about your shortened benefit period, you should also look into other resources while you're job hunting. Texas Workforce Solutions offices offer free career counseling, resume help, and job placement assistance. They also have training programs that might help you transition to a new field if needed. I was in a similar situation a few months ago (got 18 weeks instead of 26) and the local workforce center helped me polish my resume and connect with employers. Even though my benefits were shorter, having that extra support made a big difference in my job search timeline. Also, don't forget that you might qualify for SNAP benefits or other assistance programs while you're unemployed, especially with a shortened benefit period. Every little bit helps when you're stretching your resources. Good luck with your search!

I'm sorry you're going through this - the shortened benefit period can definitely be a shock when you're already stressed about finding work. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like your 12-week period is unfortunately correct based on your work history, but I wanted to mention a couple things that might help: 1. Make sure to keep detailed records of all your work search activities (job applications, networking, interviews, etc.) since you'll need to document at least 3 per week. The TWC can audit these at any time. 2. Consider expanding your search geographically if possible - sometimes looking at surrounding cities or even remote opportunities can open up more options, especially with the tighter timeline. 3. If you haven't already, update your LinkedIn profile and start networking actively. Many jobs aren't even posted publicly, so reaching out to former colleagues or industry contacts could lead to opportunities faster than just applying online. The shortened timeline is stressful, but 12 weeks is still enough time to find something if you stay focused and use all available resources. Wishing you the best with your search!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! The good news is that appeals for work search requirement misunderstandings do have a decent success rate, especially when it's clearly an honest mistake like yours. Since you mentioned you were on unemployment in 2023 with the 2-activity requirement, that actually strengthens your case - it shows you had legitimate reason to be confused about the current requirements. A few additional tips for your appeal: 1) Include the specific dates you completed your 2 work search activities and what they were (online applications, networking calls, etc.) to demonstrate good faith effort, 2) Mention that you've been otherwise compliant with all other TWC requirements, and 3) State clearly that you now understand the 3-activity requirement and will comply going forward. The 14-day appeal deadline is firm, so definitely get that submitted ASAP. And yes, absolutely keep requesting payments with 3+ documented activities each week while your appeal is pending. Hang in there - this kind of bureaucratic mistake happens more often than you'd think, and TWC does recognize that people can genuinely misunderstand changing requirements!

I just went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The stress is absolutely terrible, especially when you're depending on those payments. Here's what worked for me: I appealed immediately (which you've already done - good job!) and made sure to be super thorough in documenting everything going forward. One thing that really helped my case was that I printed out screenshots from the TWC website showing the old requirements from when I was previously unemployed, compared to the current requirements. This visual evidence of how the rules changed really seemed to resonate with the appeals officer. Also, don't let anyone discourage you about the process taking forever - mine was actually resolved in about 3 weeks, and I got all my back payments once it was approved. The key is staying on top of your weekly requests and doing those 3 work searches religiously. You're handling this the right way by being proactive and getting good advice from this community. Keep us updated on how it goes!