Great to hear! Make sure to keep detailed records of your work search activities going forward. They seem to be doing more random checks lately.

So glad you got through and it worked out! The 7am tip seems to be the golden advice here. I've been dealing with TWC issues on and off for months and that early morning call strategy has saved me so much frustration. For anyone else reading this - also try calling right after lunch around 1pm, that's another time when the call volume tends to be lower. And yes, definitely keep those work search records organized! I learned that the hard way when they audited me last year.

Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening! I had no idea that TWC actually considers the specific circumstances behind attendance issues rather than just automatically denying anyone who got fired for missing work. A few things I want to add based on my own experience dealing with TWC a couple years ago (different situation but similar process): 1. **Keep detailed records of everything** - Not just the documentation you already have, but also keep track of every interaction with TWC. Write down dates, times, and who you spoke with. This becomes super important if you need to reference previous conversations during an appeal. 2. **The online application can be tricky** - Make sure you save your work frequently and maybe even screenshot each page as you complete it. I lost my entire application halfway through once and had to start over. 3. **Don't get discouraged by the employer pushback** - Like others mentioned, employers contest claims routinely. It's basically standard procedure for them, not necessarily a sign that your case is weak. The fact that you followed proper call-in procedures and have legitimate documentation for your absences really does put you in a much stronger position than you might think. File as soon as possible and be prepared for the long game if it goes to appeal. Good luck!

I went through the TWC appeal hearing process last year and can share what it was like! The hearing was conducted over the phone with a TWC hearing officer, me, and a representative from my former employer. The whole thing took about 45 minutes. The hearing officer was professional but not intimidating - they asked direct questions and let both sides present their case. I went first to explain my situation, then my employer gave their side, and then we both had a chance to respond to each other's statements. What helped me the most was being organized with my documentation. I had everything labeled and ready to reference when asked specific questions. The hearing officer asked about dates, what I told my supervisor, and what evidence I had for each absence. The key is to stay calm, stick to facts, and don't get emotional or defensive. I focused on explaining why each absence was unavoidable and how I followed company policy. About two weeks later I got a written decision approving my benefits. From what I experienced, if you have legitimate reasons with documentation and followed proper procedures like you did, the appeal hearing is really your chance to get a fair review. The initial determination process seems much more automated and superficial compared to having an actual person evaluate all the details.

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation - been at my new job for about 5 weeks now after 7 weeks on unemployment. My WBA was $465, so I need to earn $930 gross before I can claim my waiting week. I'm at about $850 right now, so almost there! Reading through everyone's experiences, I feel so much more prepared now. I've started tracking my gross earnings in a simple note on my phone like someone suggested, and I've got all my pay stubs organized and ready. The tip about calling right at 8 AM on weekdays is gold - I was trying to call in the afternoons and getting nowhere. One thing I'm curious about that I didn't see mentioned - for those who successfully claimed their waiting week payment, did TWC send any kind of confirmation or notification that the request was processed? Or do you just have to wait and see if the deposit shows up in your account after those 10-12 business days? Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences. This thread should honestly be the first result when you Google "TWC waiting week 2x requirement" because it's clearer than anything on their official site!

This thread has been absolutely amazing! I'm a newcomer to this whole TWC process and was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out the waiting week requirements. I just started my new job last week after being on unemployment for about 5 weeks, and I had no idea about this 2x earnings rule until I stumbled across this conversation. My WBA was $385, so I need to earn $770 gross before I can claim my waiting week. I'm only at about $200 so far since I just started, but reading everyone's detailed experiences has given me such a clear roadmap for what to expect. The tips about tracking gross earnings (not take-home pay!), keeping all pay stubs organized, and calling right at 8 AM are incredibly valuable. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and will come back to update once I go through the process myself. It's honestly shocking how much clearer this conversation is compared to anything on the official TWC website. Thank you all for taking the time to share your real experiences - it's going to save me (and probably lots of other people) so much confusion and stress down the road!

Hey Butch! I just filed for TWC benefits last month after being laid off from my retail job too - seems like so many of us are dealing with the same situation right now. One thing that really helped me that I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you have your most recent pay stub handy when filling out the application. TWC asks for your gross weekly earnings, and it's much easier to calculate if you have that pay stub right in front of you rather than trying to estimate. Also, once you submit your application, you'll get an email confirmation, but don't rely on just that. I'd recommend logging back into your TWC account a day or two later to make sure your application shows up in the system correctly. I had a friend whose application got stuck somewhere and she didn't realize it for a week, which delayed everything. One last tip - if you have any part-time or gig work income while you're receiving benefits, report it honestly on your payment requests. I know it seems counterintuitive to report income when you need the money, but TWC will find out eventually through wage records, and it's much better to be upfront about it. They'll just reduce your benefit amount proportionally rather than cutting you off entirely. The whole process is definitely stressful, but you're getting great advice from everyone here. The retail market is brutal right now, but TWC benefits will help you get through while you find something new. Good luck!

Hey Butch! I went through the TWC process about 3 months ago after my retail management position was eliminated, and I can definitely relate to feeling overwhelmed at first. One thing that really saved me time was creating a checklist before starting the application. Here's what I wish I had organized beforehand: - Last 5 pay stubs (to verify wages and employer info) - Employment verification letter or termination notice if you have one - Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit - A quiet 45-60 minutes when you won't be interrupted The biggest mistake I made was trying to rush through it during my lunch break and had to start over because the session timed out. Also, once you submit, you'll start getting mail from TWC pretty quickly - some will be informational, others will be time-sensitive. I set up a dedicated email folder and physical folder just for TWC correspondence so I wouldn't miss anything important. One more thing - the WorkInTexas.com registration that others mentioned isn't just a formality. They actually have some decent job search tools and employer connections, so it's worth spending a few minutes setting up a proper profile there rather than just doing the bare minimum to satisfy the requirement. You're asking all the right questions, which tells me you'll navigate this just fine. The fact that you were laid off due to downsizing (not fired for performance issues) should make your approval pretty straightforward. Hang in there!

I'm so glad you were able to get through and get some clarity on your situation! Even though the news about your temp earnings not qualifying for a new claim isn't what you hoped for, at least now you can focus your energy on the right next steps. The retraining programs through TWC can be a real game-changer - I've seen several people in this community transition to better-paying careers through those programs. Also, don't get discouraged about the job market. Factory closures are tough, but sometimes they can be an opportunity to pivot to something with more stability. Keep us posted on how the workforce office visit goes - your experience could really help others in similar situations.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been through the benefits exhaustion process twice in Texas. Since you got confirmation that your temp wages won't qualify you for a new regular claim, I'd strongly suggest applying for any available assistance programs BEFORE your final payment comes through. Things like SNAP, local food banks, and utility assistance programs often have waiting periods, so getting applications in early can help bridge the gap. Also, when you visit the workforce office, ask about their "Choices" program if you have any dependents - it's specifically designed to help parents get training while providing some support. The TWC website doesn't make it easy to find all these programs, but the local offices usually have counselors who know about resources that aren't well-publicized. Hang in there - this transition period is really tough but there are more safety nets available than it initially appears.