Just wanted to add that you should also keep copies of all your work search documentation outside of the TWC system! I saved screenshots and PDFs of everything because there were a few times when the WorkInTexas system was down for maintenance and I couldn't access my search history. Also, if you're doing any networking or attending job fairs, make sure to get business cards or contact info from people you talk to - TWC considers networking a valid work search activity but you need proof that it actually happened. The more documentation you have, the better protected you are if they ever audit your claim. Good luck with your determination!

I went through this exact same process a few months ago! My employer deadline was on a Friday and I was checking my TWC portal obsessively all weekend. What I learned is that even if your employer doesn't respond, TWC still needs time to review your entire case - they don't just rubber stamp approvals. In my case, it took about 10 business days after the employer deadline for them to make their determination (I got approved). The key things that helped me: 1) I had been doing my 3 weekly work searches from day one, 2) I kept requesting payments every two weeks even while pending, and 3) I responded immediately to any correspondence in my TWC inbox. Also, don't panic if you don't hear anything for a week or two after today - that's totally normal. The waiting sucks but stay consistent with your requirements and you should be fine if you were legitimately let go. You've got this!

You've gotten excellent advice here! I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago and won my appeal. One additional tip: when you submit your appeal documents, include a simple timeline showing the progression from "restructuring/layoffs" to suddenly claiming "misconduct" for unemployment purposes. This contradiction often becomes obvious to hearing officers when laid out chronologically. Also, if your company has done other layoffs recently, try to find out if they claimed misconduct for those folks too - it shows a pattern of abuse. The fact that you were laid off with multiple colleagues in a group meeting is actually strong evidence that this was economic, not misconduct-related. Keep us posted on how it goes!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful for someone in my exact situation! I was also denied for "misconduct" when I was clearly laid off due to budget cuts. After reading everyone's advice, I'm curious - has anyone had success getting their benefits backdated to the original claim date after winning an appeal? I'm worried about the financial gap between now and when this gets resolved. Also, @CosmicCrusader, make sure to document everything your employer told you about the restructuring in writing while it's still fresh in your memory. Even small details about what was said in that group meeting could be important evidence!

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know my payment did get delayed exactly one day - hit my account Thursday night instead of Wednesday. I was able to move my autopayments thankfully. Thanks for all the help!

Thanks for posting this update! This is really helpful for others who might face the same situation during holiday weeks. It's good to know the delay was predictable - exactly one business day as several people mentioned. I'm saving this thread for reference since I'm sure this will come up again with upcoming holidays like Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

website seems to be working again! just logged in and was able to check my claim status. might wanna try now before it crashes again lol

Glad to hear the website is back up! For anyone still having issues, I'd recommend clearing your browser cache and cookies before trying to log in. Sometimes during outages like this, cached data can cause problems even after the system is restored. Also worth bookmarking the direct login page (ui.texasworkforce.org) instead of going through the main TWC site - it tends to be more stable during high traffic periods.

To answer your follow-up question about documentation: When you apply, you'll need to provide your Alien Registration Number or whatever identification number is on your work authorization document. TWC will verify your work authorization status through the SAVE system (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements). As for work search requirements that someone mentioned - you'll need to keep track of your work search activities in your TWC account online. You'll report these activities when you request payment every two weeks. And regarding the wait time - unfortunately, 3-5 weeks for first payment is pretty standard these days, especially for cases that might need additional verification like non-citizen status. You should apply immediately to start the clock.

Just wanted to follow up on the safety violation angle - if you have any witnesses to the unsafe conditions you reported, try to get their contact info now while you still can. Once you're no longer an employee, it might be harder to reach coworkers who could back up your story if the employer contests your claim. Also, if you took any photos of the unstable shelving or other hazards, those could be valuable evidence. Texas Labor Code Section 411.082 protects workers from retaliation for reporting safety violations, so you potentially have strong grounds here. The timing of your termination right after reporting safety issues is pretty suspicious and TWC will take that into account.