So about that whole "using Spanish at work" thing - I'm really curious what happened there if you don't mind sharing. Was that seriously the reason they fired you and denied benefits? That sounds like potential discrimination depending on the circumstances, especially if non-Hispanic employees were specifically targeted for using Spanish while Hispanic employees weren't.

UPDATE: I finally got through this morning! Called exactly at 7:00am and still waited 45 minutes, but eventually spoke with someone. For anyone else stuck in the "must call in" loop after a seasonal job: 1. They confirmed my account was flagged for manual review due to previous appeal history 2. I had to verify identity again through ID.me even though I did this last year 3. The agent manually created my new claim 4. She said I should receive my determination letter within 7-10 business days 5. I CAN start requesting payments next week even before determination (this was news to me!) Thanks everyone for your help! That silent hold is still absolutely maddening though.

To answer your follow-up question about timing: Once your son's claim is approved (which typically takes 2-3 weeks if there are no issues), he'll be able to request his first payment. He won't get paid for the first week (the waiting week), but he still needs to request payment for it. After that, he'll request payment every two weeks on his assigned day. The money usually arrives 2-3 business days after a successful payment request via direct deposit, or 5-7 days if he's using the TWC debit card. Regarding work search documentation, a spreadsheet is perfect! He should record: - Date of activity - Employer name/contact information - Type of work search activity (application, interview, networking, WorkInTexas.com activity, etc.) - Position applied for - Method of contact (online, in person, email) - Results/follow-up TWC doesn't audit everyone, but when they do, having organized records makes it much easier.

For your last question about what counts as work search activities - it's more than just job applications. Here's what TWC accepts as valid work search activities: - Submitting job applications/resumes - Attending job interviews - Creating a profile on WorkInTexas.com - Attending job fairs - Participating in job search seminars or workshops - Taking skills assessment tests - Registering with a staffing agency - Networking events related to job search He needs at least 3 of these activities each week. And regarding the wage investigation deadline - he should request it within 14 days of receiving his Statement of Benefits letter. Also, once he starts receiving benefits, he should set a reminder to request payment every two weeks. Missing a payment request can create real headaches!

yeah she got all the back money at once. was like 6k cause it took like 3 months total. but she had to request payment every 2 weeks whole time like someone else already said

Since your separation involves both a medical issue and a natural disaster, make sure to specifically mention both during your appeal hearing. TWC has special provisions for both situations. The natural disaster element (hurricane flooding) adds substantial weight to your case since TWC recognizes this as a legitimate barrier to work. Also worth noting: if you've worked for this employer for over a year, mention that too. Longer employment history works in your favor for these types of appeals.

To answer your follow-up question - you should wait for the scheduled fact-finding interview before submitting your evidence. During that call, the examiner will tell you how to submit your documentation. They typically give you a specific fax number or email address that goes directly to your claim examiner. And yes, absolutely continue requesting payment every two weeks while waiting for a determination. This is essential even if your claim is in pending status. If you're ultimately approved, you'll only receive benefits for weeks you properly requested payment.

During your fact-finding interview: DO: - Stick to factual statements - Reference specific dates and events - Clearly state you never received a second write-up - Explain your harassment reports chronologically - Ask for the employer to provide proof of the second write-up - Stay calm and professional DON'T: - Use emotional language or appear angry - Make general accusations without evidence - Interrupt the examiner or employer - Bring up unrelated workplace issues - Speculate about employer motives without evidence Remember that everything is being recorded, and the examiner is looking for clear, factual information to make their determination. Your documentation will speak for itself if organized properly.

isnt it up to the irs not twc? maybe u should ask them

One more thing - check if you repaid the money in the same calendar year you received it. If you got the benefits and repaid them within 2025, then the 1099-G should show the net amount. If you got the benefits in 2024 but repaid in 2025, things get more complicated and you may need to use the "claim of right" doctrine when filing. Something to ask about when you reach TWC.