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.

Thank you so much! I do have an email from our general manager announcing the closure. I'll scan and upload that tonight. I also found a local news article about the closure online. If I don't hear back by next week, I think I'll try that Claimyr service out of desperation. Really appreciate everyone's help!

I'm dealing with something similar - filed 3 weeks ago and still waiting. From what I've learned lurking in this community, it really does seem like a combination of factors affects timing. Some people get lucky with quick processing, while others hit various snags in the system. What helped me stay somewhat sane during the wait was setting up a daily routine to check for updates rather than obsessing over it multiple times a day. I check my TWC portal once in the morning and once in the evening, and that's it. Also, make sure you're continuing to request payment every two weeks even if your claim isn't approved yet - you'll get all those weeks paid retroactively once it goes through. That was something I almost missed doing because I thought "what's the point if I'm not approved yet." Hang in there! The waiting is brutal but it sounds like you're doing all the right things to follow up on your claim.

I might try that service if I can't get through tomorrow morning. Between figuring out the application and trying to call TWC, this is turning into a full-time job itself!

I went through this exact process as a 1099 contractor after a hailstorm damaged my equipment last year. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Apply for regular UI first (you'll get denied) - this creates the paper trail needed for DUA 2. For Hurricane Beryl, you're still within the 30-day window since the federal declaration on July 19th 3. Focus your DUA application on Beryl since it's the federally declared disaster 4. Keep EVERYTHING documented - photos of damage, lost contracts, invoices showing pre-disaster income The most important thing is having your 2024 tax return ready to prove self-employment income. Also, don't get discouraged by the initial UI denial - that's actually a required step in the process for self-employed folks. One tip that saved me time: when you fill out the work search requirements, applying for both 1099 gigs AND regular W-2 jobs counts. Cast a wide net and document everything. Good luck!