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Make sure you do your work search activities too!!! They will deny you if you aren't doing the required number each week (it's 3 for most counties in Texas). Document EVERYTHING. The system is designed to trip people up!
I just wanted to update everyone - I filed my new claim yesterday and made sure to clearly explain the layoff situation. The online system says my claim is under review, so now I'm just waiting. I also reached out to my former manager who agreed to provide a letter confirming the department-wide layoff. Thanks everyone for the advice - I'll update when I hear something!
Make sure you request a copy of your employer's response to TWC before your hearing! You have a right to see what they claimed about you. This way you can prepare to address their specific allegations. Call TWC and ask for this information - it might take some persistence to get through. Btw what kind of cleaning job was it? My wife works in that industry and unfortunately this kind of thing happens a lot with certain companies.
After your appeal is filed, TWC will mail you a notice with the date and time of your hearing, which will likely be conducted by phone due to the high volume of cases they handle. Make sure your phone number is current in the TWC system! On the day of the hearing: 1. Be in a quiet place with good reception 2. Have all your notes and evidence ready 3. Don't interrupt others (the hearing officer will give you time to respond) 4. Answer questions directly and truthfully 5. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification And remember to keep requesting payment every two weeks while waiting for your appeal. If you win, you'll receive benefits for all eligible weeks you requested payment.
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
While Texas is indeed a one-party consent state for recordings, TWC appeal hearings are already recorded by the hearing officer. You can request a copy of the official recording if needed for further appeals. Making your own recording is unnecessary and might actually create issues if the qualities differ and create confusion in later proceedings.
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.
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.
Thank you! I was planning to take the call from home, but I have a barking dog. Maybe I should go sit in my car instead to make sure it's quiet.
Mateo Hernandez
To address the original poster's follow-up question: If your workplace suffered additional damage from Beryl that extends your unemployment period, you should contact TWC to update your existing DUA claim. While you don't need to file a completely new claim, you may need to provide documentation showing the extended impact. This could include a letter from your employer stating the additional closure time due specifically to Beryl damage, photos of new damage, or repair estimates showing the extended timeline. The key is documenting that your unemployment duration has been extended specifically because of the subsequent hurricane damage.
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NebulaNova
•This is super helpful, thank you! I'll get a letter from my boss explaining the situation with the extended closure. Really appreciate the clear advice.
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Andre Dupont
guys remember to keep requesting payment every 2 weeks even while dealing with this confusion!! i almost forgot my payment request with all this beryl stuff happening
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Mateo Hernandez
•This is excellent advice. Regardless of disaster circumstances, you must continue to request payment every two weeks to maintain your benefits. Missing a payment request can create significant complications with your claim.
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