I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Got laid off from my engineering role 3 weeks ago with 10 weeks of severance pay. My TWC claim has been stuck in "pending" status with that same "severance pay investigation" message. It's so frustrating that they don't just tell you upfront how the calculation works or give you a timeline. I've been religiously doing my work searches and submitting payment requests every two weeks like everyone here recommends, but the uncertainty is killing me. Really glad to see your update that you finally got through - gives me hope that I'll eventually get some answers too. The fact that they mailed you a determination letter that you never received is典型 TWC though. I'm going to try calling right at 7 AM like you did. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Just wanted to add some perspective as someone who went through this process twice (unfortunately got laid off again during the pandemic). The severance allocation period is definitely one of the most confusing aspects of Texas unemployment, but there are a few things that might help others in this situation: 1. **Document everything** - Keep copies of your severance agreement, any HR communications, and screenshots of your TWC account status. I had to reference these multiple times. 2. **Set up mail forwarding** - TWC still relies heavily on physical mail for important notices. If you've moved recently or might move during your claim period, make sure your address is updated everywhere. 3. **Consider temporary/contract work** - During your severance allocation period, you can still do temporary or contract work and report that income. It won't affect your future UI benefits once the allocation period ends. 4. **Use this time strategically** - Since you're required to do work searches anyway, treat this period as an opportunity to really focus on your job hunt without the pressure of needing to accept the first offer that comes along. The system is definitely frustrating and poorly designed, but hang in there - once your allocation period ends, the benefits do kick in automatically if you've been keeping up with all the requirements.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation - filed my Commission appeal in September and it's been stuck on "active" status ever since. The 9-month backlog they mentioned is absolutely insane and completely unacceptable for any government agency. What's really helped me during this endless wait: 1. Set up automatic reminders for the biweekly payment requests - even though it feels pointless, those weeks could be worth thousands if the appeal is eventually approved 2. Started documenting everything in a simple spreadsheet - dates of calls, screenshots of portal status, any communication with TWC 3. Applied for local food assistance and utility help programs - many don't require you to be officially unemployed, just demonstrate financial hardship The most infuriating part is how TWC reps act like a 9-month delay is totally normal when families are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries. This isn't just slow bureaucracy - it's causing real financial devastation while they hold onto money we earned and paid into the system. Your daughter should definitely look into contacting her state representative's office. I haven't tried it yet but I'm planning to - at this point we need to make noise about how broken this system has become. This level of systemic failure should be getting emergency attention and resources, not just a casual "that's how long it takes now" response. Stay strong and keep fighting - you're definitely not alone in this nightmare!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening and frustrating to read - it's clear that TWC's Commission appeal process has completely collapsed, yet they continue operating like 9-month backlogs are acceptable. Reading everyone's experiences, I'm struck by how this isn't just bureaucratic slowness but actual harm being done to families who paid into this system in good faith. A few observations from all the shared experiences: 1. The consistent theme of TWC reps casually mentioning massive backlogs like it's no big deal shows how disconnected they are from the real-world impact 2. The advice about continuing biweekly payment requests even when it feels pointless seems crucial - missing those weeks could cost thousands in back pay 3. The documentation strategies (spreadsheets, screenshots, communication logs) appear essential given reports of cases getting "lost" 4. Multiple people mentioning state representative contact suggests this might actually be an effective escalation path What really stands out is how many practical resources people have shared - from 211 assistance to local food banks to emergency rental programs. It's heartening to see this community supporting each other through such a broken system. The suggestion about media contact is particularly compelling. A story about thousands of Texans waiting 9+ months for unemployment appeals while struggling to survive seems exactly like something local news would investigate. Maybe public pressure is what it takes to force TWC to treat this as the crisis it actually is. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice. This thread should be required reading for anyone dealing with Commission appeals right now.

I want to add something important about timing - since your contract ends in early June, you should file your claim the week your contract actually ends, not before. TWC benefits are based on when you're actually unemployed, so filing too early could delay or complicate your claim. Also, even though you're not renewing your contract, the key is how you explain the reason - focus on the fact that you cannot safely continue working at that location due to documented domestic violence, rather than framing it as simply not renewing. The domestic violence exception overrides the voluntary separation issue, but you need to be very clear about this being a safety-driven decision from the start. Best of luck to you and your daughter - you're making the right choice prioritizing your safety.

I'm a former TWC claims processor and want to add some specific details about the domestic violence exception process. When you file online, there's a dropdown menu under "reason for separation" - look for "Family Violence" or "Personal Safety" as your selection. If you don't see those exact options, choose "Other" and immediately explain in the comments section. After you submit your initial claim, TWC will likely send you a "Request for Information" form specifically about family violence situations - this is normal and expected. They'll ask for detailed information about the incident, timeline, and supporting documentation. Respond to this quickly and thoroughly. One thing people often miss: if your employer contests your claim (which schools sometimes do automatically), don't panic. The domestic violence protection supersedes employer objections, but you may need to participate in a phone hearing. During any hearing, stick to the facts about safety concerns and have your documentation ready to reference. Finally, apply for jobs consistently but document any safety concerns about specific positions. For example, if a job posting is too close to your previous workplace or your ex-husband's known locations, note this in your work search log as a legitimate safety-based reason for not applying. TWC understands that domestic violence survivors may have geographic restrictions for safety reasons.

Great news! So happy for you. The stress of these appeals is just awful, isn't it? Enjoy the relief!

Congratulations Amara! 🎉 That's such great news! I'm currently waiting for my appeal decision too (had my hearing last Friday) and your update gives me hope. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking - I've been checking my TWC account multiple times a day. It's reassuring to hear that yours came through right around the typical timeframe everyone mentioned. Thanks for coming back to update us with the good news!

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with RESEA for the first time and had no idea what it even was until reading this. For anyone else who might be confused - RESEA is basically a mandatory check-in where they verify you're actually looking for work. Missing it can definitely mess up your benefits but it sounds like TWC will work with you if you have legitimate reasons and proper documentation. The key takeaways I'm getting are: 1) Always try to contact them BEFORE missing the appointment, 2) Document everything (weather alerts, call attempts, emails), 3) Try multiple contact methods (the letter number, workforce center direct line, Tele-Serv, email), and 4) Don't just no-show because that makes everything worse. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is way more useful than anything on the TWC website!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My RESEA appointment is scheduled for Friday but we have a winter storm warning with ice expected. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm going to start documenting everything today - taking screenshots of the weather alerts and keeping a log of all my contact attempts. It's frustrating that TWC makes this process so difficult, but it sounds like they will work with you if you follow the right steps and have proper documentation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Ethan Anderson for the detailed update on what actually worked! This is way more useful information than anything I could find on the official TWC website.