This reminds me of what happened back during the pandemic when I first applied. It took EIGHT WEEKS to get my first payment! I almost lost my apartment. The system is so broken. At least now things only take a few extra days to sort out instead of months...

Same thing happened to me about a month ago - requested Sunday, usually get paid Tuesday morning, but didn't see anything until Wednesday evening. I was panicking because I had bills due! Turned out TWC was just running behind that week. Since your status shows "processed" you should be good - that's the key thing to look for. If it still said "pending" or something else I'd be more worried. Glad to see from the updates that yours came through!

Regarding your timing question - the fact that your benefits exhausted one week after the storm is actually a neutral factor. What matters more is that you can demonstrate the disaster created a NEW barrier to employment that didn't exist before. The strongest evidence in your case is: 1. The cancelled interview at the factory (get documentation) 2. Any other job prospects affected by the storm 3. Physical barriers to job searching (damage to your home/transportation) Focus your application on how your path to reemployment was specifically disrupted by the disaster. This frames your case as a disaster-caused continued unemployment rather than just a regular benefits exhaustion. Be prepared that you might need to appeal if denied initially, as these cases often require human review to fully understand the timeline and circumstances.

Hey Millie! I went through something similar after the freeze in 2021. The timing of your benefits exhausting right after the storm might actually work in your favor - it shows you had active UI when the disaster hit, which can help establish the connection. One thing that really helped my case was being super specific about HOW the disaster affected my job search beyond just the one cancelled interview. I documented things like: - Transportation issues getting to interviews due to road damage - Other businesses that were closed/not hiring because of storm damage - Any networking events or job fairs that got cancelled Also, when you apply for DUA, make sure you mention that your apartment was damaged too - that shows the disaster personally affected you, not just your job prospects. Even minor damage counts. The 30-day deadline is key, so don't wait! And definitely keep all those emails about the cancelled interview - that's gold for your case. Good luck!

One more important thing to add: when calculating your benefit amount, TWC will look at your base period which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Since you're applying in January 2025, your base period would be October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. That should include most of your previous full-time job, which is good news for your potential benefit amount. Also, prepare for your first payment to take 2-3 weeks after you apply, so try to set aside enough for at least one month of essential expenses if possible.

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're worried about the work search requirements during the slow January hiring season, remember that you can count things like attending virtual job fairs, updating your LinkedIn profile, networking events (even virtual ones), and contacting staffing agencies. The TWC website has a full list of acceptable work search activities. Also, many retailers start hiring for Valentine's Day and spring merchandise in late January/early February, so don't get discouraged if it seems quiet right after the holidays. You've got this! Your work history sounds solid and seasonal layoffs are super common this time of year.

One more important thing - while your appeal is pending, make sure you continue to request payment for each two-week period. Even though you'll get a message saying you're currently ineligible, you need to keep submitting those payment requests. If your appeal is successful, you'll only get paid for the periods you properly requested payment for. A lot of people stop doing their payment requests while waiting for an appeal decision, and then they lose out on those weeks of benefits even if they win their appeal.

I went through something similar last year and want to emphasize what others have said about the appeal process - it's absolutely worth fighting this! One thing I learned is that DUA eligibility often comes down to very specific wording in your documentation. When I appealed, I made sure my employer's letter included the phrase "direct result of the disaster" rather than just saying the job was delayed. The TWC seems to look for that exact language. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from your employer about the delay due to hurricane damage, include those too. Sometimes informal communication can actually strengthen your case because it shows the timeline of how the disaster affected your employment. Don't let them discourage you - many people win these appeals with the right documentation!

u need 2 appeal right away!!! this happnd 2 me and i almost didnt appeal cuz i was so upset but my friend made me do it. took forever (like 2.5 months) but i won bcuz the company didnt even show up 2 the hearing lol. sometimes they dont bother if they know theyre lying

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. My employer claimed I was terminated for attendance issues when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The key thing that saved me was having official documentation from the company. Since you have that paperwork stating "position eliminated" and mentioning restructuring, you're in a much stronger position than I was. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Appeal IMMEDIATELY - don't wait even a few days 2. Make copies of all your layoff documentation and submit it with your appeal 3. Write down everything you remember about the layoff - who told you, when, what exactly they said 4. Get contact info for those coworkers who were also laid off - their testimony could be crucial The good news is you don't have to pay anything back while your appeal is pending. I was terrified they'd start taking money from my new job, but they can't do that until after the hearing decision. My hearing was by phone and took about 45 minutes. The hearing officer asked very specific questions about dates and circumstances. Since you have official company paperwork contradicting their "quit" claim, you should have a strong case. Stay calm during the hearing and stick to the facts - let that documentation do the talking for you. You've got this! The truth is on your side.