Just wanted to add that if you're in the healthcare field, you might also want to check with your state licensing board to see if they have any job placement resources or partnerships with employers. Some medical assistant programs also have alumni networks or career services that continue after graduation. Also, don't overlook telehealth companies - they've been expanding rapidly and many are hiring remote medical assistants for patient intake, scheduling, and basic triage work. Companies like Teladoc, Amwell, and MDLive often have openings. The pay might be different than traditional clinical work, but it could be a bridge while you're looking for your ideal position. Good luck with your new claim application! Even getting $170/week will help take some pressure off while you're job hunting.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! My 26 weeks just ended last week and I'm also in healthcare (LPN). The stress is real when you're still actively job searching but the money stops coming in. Based on what everyone's saying here, I'm definitely going to file a new claim since I did some PRN work at a nursing home during my benefit year. Even if it's less money, something is better than nothing while I keep looking. Has anyone had luck with the VA medical centers? I know they're always hiring healthcare workers and the benefits are supposed to be good. Might be worth checking USAJobs.gov if you haven't already. Also, don't forget about urgent care centers - they seem to be popping up everywhere and usually need medical assistants. Thanks for starting this thread - it's helpful to know I'm not alone in this situation!

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what happened in case someone else has this issue. I called right at 7am and got through after about 20 minutes. I specifically asked them to check for identity verification flags as suggested here. Turns out there was a name mismatch - I had used my nickname when creating the account instead of my full legal first name that's on my social security card. They transferred me to the identity verification department who removed the flag and reset my account. I had to wait on hold for about 30 minutes for that transfer, but once they fixed it, I could log in right away! Thank you all for the helpful suggestions! My claim is processing normally now and I can see everything in my account.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar issue right now but mine's slightly different - I can actually log in, but when I try to certify for benefits, the system kicks me out and tells me to call. Been on hold for hours trying to get through. Based on what everyone's saying here, sounds like I should specifically ask about identity verification flags when I finally get someone on the phone. It's frustrating how their system gives these vague "call TWC" messages without explaining what's actually wrong. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions!

Just an FYI, getting a denial is actually normal in these disputed cases. The initial TWC reviewer often just goes with whatever the employer says, but the appeal hearing is where you really get a fair shot. About 30% of people who appeal end up winning. Just make sure you clearly explain that you were told you were being let go due to restructuring and never walked off the job.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year. My employer claimed I "abandoned my job" when they actually laid me off. Here's what helped me win my appeal: 1. I wrote out a detailed timeline with exact dates and who was present when I was terminated 2. Got a statement from my coworker who witnessed the meeting where I was let go 3. Brought my employee handbook showing their termination procedures (which they didn't follow if I had really "quit") 4. Had my final paycheck stub that showed they processed it as a termination, not a resignation The hearing lasted about 45 minutes. The judge asked very direct questions like "Did you tell your employer you were quitting?" and "What exact words did your manager use when letting you go?" My employer's story fell apart when they couldn't provide any evidence I had quit voluntarily. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and lying employers get caught in these hearings more often than you'd think. Document everything you can remember and stay calm during the hearing. You've got this!

I noticed you mentioned getting laid off in December but filing on January 1st. Just to make sure you're maximizing your benefits - if you were eligible for unemployment in December, you may want to check if your claim was backdated properly to include those weeks. If not, you might have lost some potential benefits. You can see your claim effective date on your TWC account or determination letter. If there's an issue with the date, you might need to contact TWC directly to have it corrected.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who also moved from out of state - I came from California and the Texas system definitely takes some getting used to! One thing that really helped me was downloading the TWC mobile app. It makes requesting payments way easier than using the website, especially when the site gets overloaded. You can also check your payment history and benefit balance right from the app. Also, keep all your work search documentation organized because TWC can audit you at any time and ask for proof of your activities. I use a simple notebook to write down company names, dates, and contact methods for each application/contact. Good luck with your claim!

Just a heads up to everyone - my payment finally hit my account this morning. It looks like they're working through the backlog. Hopefully everyone else will receive theirs soon too!

Glad to see everyone's payments are finally coming through! This kind of delay seems to happen pretty regularly with TWC unfortunately. For future reference, I've found that checking their Twitter account (@TXWorkforce) sometimes has more timely updates about system issues than their main website. They don't always post about delays right away, but when they do acknowledge problems, that's usually where you'll see it first. Hope this helps avoid some of the panic next time there's a processing delay!