I feel for you - this exact same thing happened to me a few months back and I was absolutely panicking! Here's what worked for me after trying everything else: Try logging in using the "Forgot Password" option even if you know your password. Sometimes this resets whatever is causing the authentication loop. After you reset it, wait about 30 minutes before trying to log in again. Also, if you have a friend or family member with a different internet provider, try using their connection. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes certain ISPs have issues with the TWC servers. One more thing - if you're using any password managers or auto-fill, disable them completely and type everything manually. The TWC system is super finicky about that stuff. Worst case scenario, show up at your local workforce office tomorrow morning with printouts of your error messages and all your documents. They have to help you if you can prove the system is blocking you from submitting on time. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but there are always workarounds. You've got people rooting for you! 🙏

I've been through this exact situation and know how stressful it is! Here are a few additional things that might help: Try logging in during off-peak hours (like 2-4 AM) when server load is lighter. Also, disable any antivirus software temporarily - sometimes they block the document upload feature on government sites. If you're still stuck, you can email your documents to your local workforce development office as a backup. Most offices have an emergency email process for deadline situations - call them first thing in the morning to get the email address. One more trick: try using Internet Explorer or Edge in compatibility mode. I know it sounds ancient, but these old government systems sometimes work better with older browser technology. Document every error message with timestamps and screenshots. If worst comes to worst and you miss the online deadline, having proof of the technical issues can help your case when you appeal or reapply. You've got this - don't let a buggy website defeat you! There are always alternative paths to get your application submitted. 🍀

Just wanted to share my recent experience with these verification calls - I got one last Friday and it was definitely legitimate. The caller had my exact weekly benefit amount and knew details about my previous job that only TWC would have access to. The whole process was actually pretty quick, maybe 12 minutes total. They asked me to confirm my employment dates, verify my current address, and answer a few questions about when I filed my initial claim. No requests for SSN or banking info like others mentioned. One thing that helped me feel more confident it was real - when I asked the rep for her name and employee ID, she gave it to me without hesitation and told me I could call back to verify if needed. My advice is to answer these calls but stay alert for any red flags like requests for sensitive financial info. The legitimate calls seem to focus on confirming information you already provided rather than collecting new data. Hope this helps anyone else who's dealing with this verification process!

I just went through this verification process yesterday and wanted to add my experience to help others who might be worried. I got a call from a 512 number on Monday and initially ignored it thinking it was spam. They left a voicemail saying they needed to verify my identity for my unemployment benefits to continue, but like others mentioned, no callback number was provided. After reading through experiences here, I decided to call the main TWC line at 800-939-6631 to verify it was legitimate before proceeding. The customer service rep confirmed I was selected for their Random Identity Verification Program and scheduled my verification call for the next day. When they called back, the agent knew specific details about my claim including my previous employer's exact business name and my weekly benefit amount. The whole call took about 10 minutes - they just asked me to confirm my employment history, verify my current address, and answer when I first filed my claim. They didn't ask for my SSN, bank info, or any sensitive data. My benefits continued without interruption. For anyone still dealing with this, my advice is to call TWC directly if you're unsure about the legitimacy of these calls, but don't ignore them completely as it could affect your benefits. The verification process itself is actually pretty straightforward once you know it's real!

I'm really glad you found this thread and got such comprehensive answers! I went through this exact same situation last year - dealing with TWC overpayment deductions while having to withdraw from my 401K to make ends meet. The stress was absolutely overwhelming, but I can confirm what everyone else has told you: your 401K withdrawal will NOT impact your unemployment benefits at all. What really saved my sanity was understanding that TWC makes a clear distinction between "earned income" (wages from work) and retirement distributions. Your withdrawal falls under retirement distributions, so it doesn't count against your weekly benefit calculations. Your $349 payments will continue exactly as they are. A few things that helped me get through it: - I got that written overpayment balance statement from TWC (game changer for planning!) - Set aside 30% of the withdrawal amount immediately for taxes/penalties - Used part of the withdrawal to create a small buffer fund for the weeks when bills were tightest - Was completely transparent with TWC when I called - they actually appreciated the honesty The combination of reduced benefits plus financial stress is really tough, but you're making smart decisions to get through a temporary crisis. Once your overpayment is cleared, you'll be back to full $465 weekly payments. You're using your own money to survive - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that approach during an emergency like this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly stressful situation - the combination of overpayment deductions and financial uncertainty is really overwhelming, but I have some good news that should help ease your worries! Your 401K withdrawal will absolutely NOT affect your TWC unemployment benefits. I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when I had to withdraw from my retirement account while dealing with overpayment deductions from a 2020 reporting error, so I completely understand your anxiety. Here's what you need to know: - TWC only counts "earned income" from actual work against your benefits - your 401K withdrawal is classified as a retirement distribution, which is completely different - Your current $349 weekly payments will continue exactly as they are - You don't need to report the withdrawal on your biweekly payment request forms - The overpayment deduction timeline won't change at all When I called TWC about my situation, I mentioned the withdrawal upfront and the representative actually thanked me for being transparent. They confirmed it wouldn't impact my benefits and it seemed to build trust in their system. Two things that really helped me: First, get a written statement of your remaining overpayment balance from TWC so you know exactly when those deductions will end. Second, set aside about 30% of your $8,000 withdrawal immediately for taxes and the 10% early withdrawal penalty you'll face next year - don't let that catch you off guard like it almost did to me! You're doing exactly what you need to do to survive a tough financial situation. This is literally what retirement accounts are designed for during genuine emergencies. Focus on the fact that your unemployment benefits are secure and you have a plan to get through this temporary rough patch. You've got this!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was denied for insufficient wages after doing various gig work (Instacart, pet sitting, and some consulting) between my claims. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - when you're gathering your documentation, don't forget about any 1099-NECs you might have received. I got a few from clients who paid me over $600, and those are direct proof of reported income that TWC should easily be able to verify. Also, if you used any business expense tracking apps like MileIQ or Stride during your gig work period, those can help show the legitimate business nature of your activities. I know it might seem like overkill, but every piece of documentation helps paint the picture that this was real work, not just casual side income. The stress of waiting for an appeal is awful, but reading all these success stories is giving me hope. Anita, it sounds like you have a really strong case with your Schedule C filings and the amount you earned. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of us!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I was starting to panic about my own situation but seeing all these success stories is giving me hope. I'm in almost the exact same boat - denied for insufficient wages after doing freelance social media work and pet sitting between claims. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is keeping copies of your business licenses or permits if you had any during your self-employment period. I had a basic business license for my freelance work that might help show the legitimacy of my income. Also, for anyone dealing with payment apps like Venmo - make sure you export the full transaction history as a PDF or CSV file rather than just screenshots. The detailed export shows more information and looks more professional for the hearing. Anita, your case sounds really solid since you properly filed your Schedule C returns. That's going to be your strongest piece of evidence. I'm rooting for you and everyone else going through this stressful process! Has anyone had experience with virtual hearings vs. in-person? I'm wondering if one format tends to be more successful than the other.

I just wanted to add another voice of reassurance here - this happened to me too back in January after collecting benefits since October! I was completely blindsided by the timing and honestly thought something was wrong with my claim. Turns out TWC has really ramped up these identity verification checks as part of their fraud prevention efforts. What I found interesting is that when I called to ask about it, the rep told me they actually verify a certain percentage of active claims each month regardless of how long someone has been collecting. So it really is just random selection, not anything you did. The ID.me process was pretty painless - took about 15 minutes including the video verification call. The agent was friendly and just had me hold up my license and confirm some basic info. My biggest tip: make sure your husband's TWC account information (especially name spelling and address) matches exactly what's on his driver's license before starting the verification. Any mismatches can cause delays. After completing ID.me, it took about 4 business days for my TWC account to show as verified and for payments to resume. All my held payments were released in one batch, so no money was lost - just delayed. Don't let the timing stress you out too much. It really is standard procedure, even though they could definitely communicate that better to claimants!

I just went through this exact same situation about 3 weeks ago! Been collecting since November and got hit with the identity verification request in mid-March - talk about panic mode! But everyone here is absolutely right - it's completely normal and happens way more often than you'd think. What really helped me was calling the TWC customer service line and asking specifically about it. The rep explained that they have automated systems that flag accounts for verification based on various factors throughout the benefit period. It's not necessarily random, but it's also not based on anything suspicious you've done. Could be as simple as a software update triggering new checks or hitting certain time thresholds in their system. One thing I'll add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure your husband saves/screenshots the ID.me confirmation page when he completes it. I didn't do this and when my verification seemed to be taking longer than expected, I had no reference number to give TWC when I called to check on the status. Also, the good news is once you go through this verification process, you're pretty much set for the remainder of your benefit year. I asked about this specifically and they confirmed it's very rare to get asked to verify again once you've completed it successfully. The whole thing took about a week from start to finish for me, but knowing what to expect makes all the difference. Your husband's got this!