also don't 4get to do your work searches!! my friend got approved but then got her benefits cancelled bc she forgot to do the 3 searches every week. you gotta do them even while waiting for approval

Hey Diego! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. "Potentially eligible" is actually a good sign - it means you meet the basic requirements and TWC is just doing their standard investigation before making the final decision. Since you were fired for performance issues without any written warnings, you're likely in good shape. TWC distinguishes between "misconduct" (like stealing, fighting, or willfully violating policies) and just not meeting performance standards. Struggling with unrealistic sales targets that kept increasing is definitely not misconduct. A few tips based on my experience: - Keep requesting your weekly payments even while waiting for final approval - Start your work search activities immediately (3 per week minimum) and log them in the TWC system - Check your correspondence inbox daily for any questionnaires about your job separation - If your employer contests the claim, you might get a phone interview from TWC - just be honest about what happened The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from filing to getting my first payment. The ID.me verification was the longest part - took about 6 days. Hang in there, it sounds like you have a solid case!

When I was on unemploymnt last yr they would always pay me on Tuesdays after i did my request on Sunday. sometimes it took til Wednesday if there was a holiday. Hope that helps!

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your employer contested your claim - that can delay or reduce payments. In my case, my former employer initially contested saying I was fired for misconduct (which wasn't true), and it held up my benefits for almost a month while TWC investigated. Eventually they ruled in my favor, but it was stressful not knowing when I'd get paid. If there's any dispute, you'll see it in your correspondence section on the TWC website. Fingers crossed yours goes smoothly!

I worked in payroll for years and can confirm what everyone's saying - you're supposed to report based on when you WORKED those hours, not when they pay you. Your employer will be reporting your wages to TWC quarterly, and those reports show when the work was performed, not when it was paid out. If your reports don't match theirs, that's when problems happen.

I went through this exact situation when I started my retail job last fall! The 2-week pay hold had me so confused too. Like everyone else is saying, you definitely report wages for the week you actually worked, not when you get paid. What helped me was keeping a simple log of my hours each day so I could calculate my gross wages accurately. Since you're at a warehouse, they probably have you clock in/out, so ask your supervisor or HR for a copy of your timesheet at the end of each week. That way you'll have the exact hours to multiply by your hourly rate. Also heads up - once you start working full-time hours, you'll probably stop being eligible for benefits anyway since you'll likely earn over the weekly benefit amount limit. But it's still super important to report everything correctly to avoid any issues down the road!

One more critical tip - if you filed in September and went back to work in December but just discovered this in January, make sure TWC understands this timeline clearly. They have strict time limits for reporting fraud (usually 30 days from discovery, not from when it happened). Emphasize that you just discovered the issue in January when you tried to resolve the missing card issue. If anyone at TWC tries to say you're outside the reporting window, ask to speak to a supervisor and cite Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 20, which allows extensions for good cause (not receiving proper notification would qualify). Your persistence will pay off eventually, but unfortunately these cases do take time to resolve.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is actually becoming a huge problem with TWC lately. I went through something similar last year where someone changed my banking info after I'd already received a few payments. A few things that really helped me get through the process faster: 1. When you call that fraud hotline number someone mentioned (512-463-2832), ask them to email you a case reference number immediately. Having that number makes follow-up calls way easier. 2. Don't just rely on their online portal - the fraud department often doesn't update it regularly. Call every 2 weeks for status updates and document who you spoke with. 3. If you have any old screenshots or emails from when you originally applied showing you selected the debit card option, gather those now. They helped prove my case. 4. Consider reaching out to your state representative's office if this drags on past 8-10 weeks. They have a constituent services team that can sometimes light a fire under TWC to move faster. The whole thing took about 9 weeks for me, but I did get every penny back plus they issued it on a new debit card. Stay persistent - the squeaky wheel gets the grease with TWC unfortunately!

Have you tried looking into Disaster Unemployment Assistance? Sometimes they have special programs if your area was affected by something like floods or other disasters. Just another option to consider if it applies to your situation.

Update: I finally got through to TWC today! The agent confirmed what everyone here said - there aren't any automatic extensions right now. But she was actually really helpful and went through some options with me: 1. She explained how to apply for SNAP benefits to help with groceries while job searching 2. Connected me with Workforce Solutions for their healthcare specialization program 3. Suggested I look into the Self-Employment Assistance program since I have some skills that could work freelance I have an appointment with a career counselor next week, and they're going to help me explore training options that might come with a stipend. Still worried about paying rent next month, but at least I have some direction now. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!