Great question. When you file a new claim, everything resets. So yes, you'll need to do the standard 3 work search activities per week unless you get a specific exemption. The temporary layoff status doesn't automatically carry over to a new benefit year/claim. The OP would need to indicate on the new application if they have a definite return-to-work date with a new employer.

I definitely don't have a return date since the company closed permanently. I've been applying to jobs like crazy anyway, so the 3 work search activities won't be a problem. Thanks for clarifying this!

One more important thing: keep requesting payment every two weeks while your appeal is pending! If you win, they'll pay you for all those weeks, but ONLY if you've been submitting your payment requests on time. A lot of people forget to do this during the appeal process and miss out on weeks of benefits.

Almost forgot - make sure you understand exactly how the hearing works. It'll be a phone call with you, the hearing officer (like a judge), and probably your former employer. You'll all be sworn in. The hearing officer asks questions first, then you and the employer each get to tell your side. At the end, you can make a final statement. Be super professional no matter what your ex-employer says. Don't argue or get emotional even if they lie. Just say "That's not accurate" and refer to your evidence. Also, expect the call to last 30-60 minutes, so be somewhere quiet where you won't be interrupted.

By the way, here's another CRITICAL detail no one mentioned: when you report your work, TWC will probably put your next payment on HOLD and they'll send you a questionnaire about your new job. This is STANDARD PROCEDURE but scares everyone! You MUST fill it out within 7 days or they'll disqualify you. It asks about your new job, hours, pay, if it's temp or permanent, etc. Answer HONESTLY and you'll be fine!

my brother got a job at amazon but they only gave him like 10 hours the first week and he still got sum unemployment but way less

everyone giving good advice but nobody mentioning you should RECORD THE HEARING!!! texas is a one-party state which means you can record without telling them. that way if they lie you have proof for next appeal level if needed. saved me when my employer straight up lied

After using Claimyr to finally reach TWC (was getting nothing but busy signals for weeks), the agent told me that staffing agency cases often hinge on the specific wording in their policies. Make absolutely sure you're using their exact terminology from their documents when describing what you did or tried to do. If their policy says "update availability" but you keep saying "I tried to request reassignment," it can create confusion. Use their exact words.

FINAL UPDATE FROM THREAD: For anyone finding this post later with similar issues - the emergency payment request combined with finally getting through to TWC made all the difference. I received a determination letter approving my claim yesterday, and they said back payments for all 8 weeks will be deposited within 3 business days. \n\nBest advice from this thread:\n1. Submit emergency payment request if facing eviction/utilities shutoff\n2. Contact your state representative\n3. Use a service to get through the phone lines if you've been trying unsuccessfully\n4. Check your TWC portal correspondence inbox daily\n5. Continue requesting payments every two weeks even while waiting\n6. Document all work search activities (3 per week in Texas)\n\nGood luck to everyone still waiting!

Excellent summary and great news about your claim! This will be really helpful for others in the same situation. The system is frustrating, but I'm glad you found a path through it.