Update: Got my determination letter today (5 days after hearing) and my benefits were APPROVED!!! The hearing officer specifically noted that the employer failed to provide evidence to support their claim of misconduct. So relieved and grateful for all the advice here. For anyone with an upcoming hearing - PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE! Having all my documentation ready made such a difference.

Awesome news on the approval! 🎉 Your story gives me hope - I have my hearing next Tuesday and my former employer has been completely silent through this whole process. They haven't submitted any counter-evidence or even responded to TWC's requests for information. I'm hoping that means they won't put up much of a fight during the actual hearing either. Did you get your back payments deposited right away or did it take a few more days after getting the determination letter?

UPDATE: I just finished my appeal hearing and I think it went well! The hearing officer was actually really nice and let me fully explain the transportation situation. She seemed to understand that there was a miscommunication in my initial interview. She asked for details about my job search activities and seemed impressed that I'm applying to 5+ jobs weekly and have had interviews. I stayed calm (mostly!) and had all my documentation ready like you all suggested. She said I should receive a written decision within 7-10 days. Fingers crossed!!! Thank you everyone for your advice and support - it really helped me prepare and feel less anxious!

Congratulations on getting through the hearing! It really does sound like it went well based on your description. The fact that the hearing officer took the time to let you fully explain the situation and seemed engaged with your job search documentation is definitely encouraging. I went through a similar appeal about 6 months ago (also for an availability misunderstanding) and had a very similar experience - the hearing officer was patient, asked detailed questions, and seemed to "get it" that there had been miscommunication during the initial interview. I won my appeal and received all my back payments about 2 weeks after getting the decision letter. The waiting period is nerve-wracking, but try to stay positive. You were well-prepared, had solid documentation, and clearly explained your situation. That's really all you can do. Definitely keep doing your payment requests like others mentioned - when the decision comes through in your favor, you'll want those weeks processed quickly! Wishing you the best outcome! 🤞

@OP - did you ever get through? I'm curious if any of these suggestions worked for you.

Glad to hear you finally got through! That 7am timing trick seems to be the real deal. For anyone else still struggling with this, I'd also suggest having all your documents ready before calling - claim number, SSN, ID info, etc. That way when you do get through after waiting forever, you can handle everything in one call instead of having to go through this nightmare again.

Anybody else think its ridiculous we gotta jump through all these hoops just to get what we're entitled to? The system is rigged against us, I swear.

Edison, I feel your pain - I went through this same nightmare a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: First, don't panic. Most denials can be fixed if you know what you're doing. Check your online TWC account for any determination letters - they're usually posted there first. The most common reasons are insufficient work history, being fired "for cause," or not being available for work. Once you know the specific reason, you can build your appeal case. I ended up winning my appeal because I had documentation proving my termination was wrongful. The key is acting fast - you only have 14 days from the date of the determination to file an appeal. Don't let that deadline pass! Also, start documenting your job search activities immediately if you haven't already. Good luck, and don't give up!

hey when is ur appeal hearing? mine took FOREVER to get scheduled, like 7 weeks after i filed the appeal request

I'm so sorry you're going through this - sexual harassment cases with TWC can be incredibly frustrating but you absolutely have grounds for appeal. I went through something similar two years ago and here's what I learned: The key is reframing the narrative. Your caseworker documented it wrong - this isn't about "not liking work conditions," it's about a hostile work environment that made continued employment impossible. A few things that helped my case: - I organized all evidence chronologically with dates/times - I specifically highlighted each time I reported the harassment and the company's inadequate response - I brought a witness who testified about what they observed - I emphasized that I tried to resolve it internally before quitting The appeal hearing officer was night and day different from the initial caseworker. They actually listened and understood the legal distinction. Won my case and got 4 months of backpay. Keep your chin up - the system failed you initially but the appeal process can work if you're prepared. You've got solid evidence and the law is on your side. Document everything from here forward too, including your interactions with TWC during this appeal process.