I'm going through the exact same stressful situation right now! Filed my claim 8 days ago and have been obsessively checking that status page hoping to see literally anything beyond "claim received." The financial anxiety is so intense when you have bills coming due and absolutely no idea if help is actually coming. This thread has been an absolute lifesaver though - I had NO clue about requesting payment before getting approved! That seems completely backwards but after reading everyone's experiences here, I definitely don't want to miss out on benefit weeks while they're processing everything. My SSN ends in 7 so Monday is my filing day. Also just started documenting my work search activities after learning from all of you that it's required from day one. I was totally planning to wait for approval first - thank goodness I found this community before making that expensive mistake! One thing I discovered that might help others: if you click on "Unemployment Benefits" then scroll down to "Important Dates," it shows your benefit year dates and when your next certification is due, which at least gives you some timeline information even if it doesn't show approval status. The uncertainty is absolutely killing me when rent is due in 10 days, but seeing so many people here going through the identical waiting game makes me feel way less alone in this bureaucratic nightmare. This community has taught me more about navigating TWC in one thread than their entire official website managed to! Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - you've all been incredibly helpful during this stressful time. Really hoping we all start seeing some positive movement on our claims soon!

I'm going through this exact same frustrating experience right now! Filed my claim about a week ago and I'm completely stuck on that vague "claim received" status with no additional information. The financial stress is overwhelming when you have no idea if help is coming and bills keep piling up. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I had absolutely NO idea about requesting payment before getting approved! That seems so counterintuitive, but after reading everyone's experiences, I definitely don't want to lose out on benefit weeks while waiting. My SSN ends in 2 so Tuesday is my filing day. Just realized I should have started my work search activities immediately instead of waiting for approval. Setting up a tracking spreadsheet today after learning it's required from day one - can't believe TWC doesn't make these critical requirements clearer for first-time filers! One small tip I discovered: under "View Payment Information" there's a section that shows your potential weekly benefit calculation even before approval, which helps with some basic financial planning while stuck in this limbo. The uncertainty is absolutely brutal when you're already dealing with unemployment stress, but it's so reassuring to see I'm not alone in this bureaucratic maze. This community has taught me more about TWC's actual process than their entire website! Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - hoping we all get positive news soon. The waiting game really is the hardest part.

I'm still getting an error message when I try to log in. Anyone else still having problems or is it just me now? Getting so frustrated with this whole process!!!

Just want to add that if you're still having trouble after trying all these suggestions, you can also visit your local TWC office in person to submit your payment request. I know it's not ideal, but when I had similar issues a few months ago, the staff there were able to process everything for me on the spot. Most offices open at 8am and you'll want to bring your ID and any documentation from your claim. It's worth calling ahead to confirm hours since some locations have reduced schedules on certain days.

That's a great question about internal communications! In my experience, you typically won't get those through a standard personnel file request - most companies consider internal management discussions about employees to be separate from the official personnel file. However, you can still ask for them specifically in your written request. Even if they refuse, the fact that you asked (and their refusal) can be mentioned during your TWC hearing as evidence that they may be hiding something. What you WILL likely get are any formal emails that were supposed to be documented in your file - things like HR communications about policy violations, official warnings, or termination paperwork. The key is being very specific in your request language. I'd suggest asking for "all documents, communications, emails, notes, and records relating to my employment, performance, conduct, or separation, whether maintained in my official personnel file or elsewhere." If they have a legitimate paper trail of misconduct that led to termination, they should be able to produce it easily. If they can't or won't, that silence speaks volumes to TWC about the credibility of their claims.

Based on everyone's advice here, I'd also recommend keeping a detailed record of any attempts your former employer makes to contact you directly during this process. Sometimes employers will try to reach out to discuss "resolving" the situation or getting you to change your story before the TWC hearing. Don't engage with them directly - any communication should go through proper channels. If they do contact you, document it immediately (date, time, who called/emailed, what was said). This kind of behavior can actually support your retaliation case. Also, make sure you're consistent in all your statements to TWC, EEOC, and any other agencies - any contradictions will be used against you. The truth is on your side here, so stick to the facts and timeline you've documented. You've got solid advice from this community and a good plan moving forward!

why is no one talking about how messed up that supervisor's comment was??? saying she "doesn't care about your husband" is so unprofessional. honestly id report her to HR before doing anything else. might create a paper trail that helps ur case too

I'm sorry you're going through this - it sounds incredibly stressful dealing with both the unexpected custody situation and such an unsympathetic supervisor. One thing I'd suggest is keeping a detailed timeline of everything that's happened - the custody change, your request for accommodation, your supervisor's exact responses, and how it's affecting your mental health. This could be crucial if you do end up filing for unemployment. Also, since you mentioned you're already dealing with documented mental health conditions and have a disability claim pending, you might want to look into whether your employer is required to provide reasonable accommodations under the ADA. A temporary schedule change for someone with documented mental health conditions could potentially fall under that, especially if the current situation is exacerbating your symptoms. Have you considered reaching out to any local legal aid organizations? Many offer free consultations for employment issues and could help you understand your rights before you make any major decisions about quitting. Hang in there - this is a tough situation but you have more options than it might feel like right now.

Update: I got my doctor's note today! It specifically states I need to be allowed to sit for 5-10 minutes every couple of hours when experiencing dizziness and should have access to water throughout my shift. I'm going to email it to HR tonight. Thanks everyone for your advice - I'll update again when I hear back from them.

I'm so glad you got that doctor's note! That's exactly what you needed. Just wanted to add one more thing - if they try to give you any pushback or delay putting you back on the schedule, document every interaction. Save all emails, take notes on phone calls with dates/times, and if they have any in-person meetings about this, follow up with an email summarizing what was discussed. Also, while you're waiting for their response, it might be worth looking up your local Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) office info just in case. You have to file discrimination complaints with them before you can pursue other legal action, and there are time limits. Hopefully it won't come to that, but better to be prepared. Really hoping your employer does the right thing here and accommodates your very reasonable medical needs. Keep us posted!