Hey Ethan! I totally understand your panic - I was in the exact same situation when I first started my unemployment claim a couple months ago. That first work search log is so stressful when you're not sure what counts! But here's some great news: you're actually in much better shape than you think! From what you've described, you already have your 3 activities: 1. Your first job application (with email confirmation) 2. Your second job application (with email confirmation) 3. All that time you spent researching companies and figuring out WorkInTexas - this 100% counts as job search preparation! I made the exact same mistake thinking I could only apply through WorkInTexas. The hours I spent learning that system, setting up my profile, and researching employers all counted when I documented them properly. Just document it like: "3/28/25: Spent 2+ hours researching employers in my field and setting up WorkInTexas profile - created account, uploaded resume, learned search features." TWC is pretty understanding with first-time filers who are making genuine efforts. Your whole claim won't be rejected over this - worst case they might ask for clarification, but you have documentation. Just make sure to consistently do 3 clear activities each week going forward. The first week is always the scariest because you're learning the system, but it gets so much easier! You've got this!

Hey Ethan! I can totally understand your panic - I was in almost the exact same situation when I first started collecting unemployment about 6 months ago. That first work search log feels so overwhelming when you're new to the system! But here's the thing that should help calm your nerves: you're actually in much better shape than you realize. From everything you've described, you likely already have your 3 required activities covered: 1. Your first job application (keep that confirmation email!) 2. Your second job application (keep that confirmation email too!) 3. All that time you spent researching companies and learning how to navigate WorkInTexas - this absolutely counts as legitimate job search preparation! I made the exact same mistake thinking WorkInTexas was the only place I was supposed to apply. Turns out all those hours I spent setting up my profile, figuring out how the search functions work, and researching potential employers definitely counted when I documented them properly. For your documentation, just write something like: "3/28/25: Spent 2-3 hours researching potential employers in my field and setting up WorkInTexas profile - created account, uploaded resume, learned search functions and job alert features." Don't stress about your entire claim being rejected - TWC is generally pretty understanding with first-time filers who are clearly making genuine efforts. The worst that might happen is they ask for clarification, but you have documentation. Just make sure to consistently hit 3 clear activities each week going forward. The first week is always the scariest because you're learning all the rules and requirements, but it gets so much easier once you establish a routine. You've totally got this!

Just wanted to add one more strategy that worked for me when I was in a similar panic situation - try calling the TWC Technical Support line at 800-939-6631 option 1, then option 3. I know it sounds weird since it's for website issues, but sometimes their tech support can transfer you to customer service or at least tell you what department is flagging your account. Also, if you have any documentation from your previous employers (like separation notices or pay stubs), have those ready when you call. My urgent letter was about employment verification, and having my paperwork ready made the call go super smooth once I finally got through. One last tip - if all else fails and you're running out of time, show up in person at your local Workforce Solutions office with all your documentation and a written statement explaining your attempts to reach TWC by phone. They can't resolve it directly, but they can document your compliance efforts and sometimes facilitate contact with TWC on your behalf. Better to have that paper trail than miss the deadline completely! Don't let this broken system defeat you - you're doing everything right by being proactive and persistent!

I'm dealing with this EXACT same situation right now! Got a similar "urgent" letter with a tight deadline and have been calling that main number constantly with zero success. The stress is unreal - they make it sound like your entire claim is at risk but give you no details about what's actually wrong. This thread is honestly a lifesaver though. I had no idea there were so many alternative numbers and strategies to try. I'm definitely going to attempt the 7 AM sharp approach tomorrow along with some of these other department numbers people have shared. The idea of calling multiple lines simultaneously with a friend/family member is genius! One thing I'll add - I found that if you call the main TWC line and immediately press 0 when you hear the automated message start, sometimes it bypasses some of the menu options and gets you to a different queue. Doesn't always work but worth trying when you're desperate. Also keeping my fingers crossed that like most people here, my issue will turn out to be something simple that takes 5 minutes to resolve once I finally reach a human. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and backup strategies - gives me hope that there's light at the end of this bureaucratic tunnel!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Filed my claim 6 days ago after getting laid off from my manufacturing job (plant downsizing eliminated my whole department). The anxiety about bills and not knowing when I'll hear back is definitely getting to me too. This thread has been absolutely incredible though - I had no idea about checking the correspondence inbox daily or that I could start requesting payments before getting approved! @Royal_GM_Mark your insider perspective about the 14-18 day timeline for straightforward layoffs is so reassuring. I've immediately started implementing all the advice here: set a daily 8:30am alarm to check correspondence, began my payment requests (felt weird but glad I did it), and I'm creating a tracking spreadsheet tonight. @TillyCombatwarrior with your 7-year work history and clear layoff situation, you should definitely be in that fast-processing category! The financial stress is real (I'm down to about 2.5 weeks of savings) but seeing how many people have successfully gotten through this exact process gives me so much hope. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it makes this whole overwhelming process feel so much more manageable knowing we're not alone in it!

I'm on day 11 of waiting after filing my claim following a layoff from my healthcare administration job (hospital downsizing). This thread has been absolutely incredible - I was completely lost before finding this discussion! @Royal_GM_Mark your insider perspective about the 14-18 day timeline for straightforward layoffs has been such a relief to hear. I had been making all the classic mistakes: only checking correspondence every few days, didn't know I could request payments before approval, and wasn't properly tracking my work search activities. Now I'm checking my inbox every morning at 8am (set a phone alarm like others suggested), started my payment requests even though it felt weird at first, and created a simple tracking spreadsheet last night. @TillyCombatwarrior your situation with 7 years at the same company and a legitimate layoff sounds very straightforward - you should definitely be in that faster processing category! The financial stress is real (I'm down to about 2 weeks of expenses) but seeing how many people with similar situations have successfully gotten through this process gives me so much hope. Thank you everyone for creating such an amazing support network - it makes this overwhelming process feel so much less scary when you know you're not going through it alone!

I'm in the exact same boat as you! This is my first Thanksgiving on unemployment and I was panicking about the timing too. Reading through everyone's responses has been so helpful - sounds like requesting Wednesday before the holiday pretty consistently means waiting until Tuesday or Wednesday the following week for the deposit to actually hit. I just called my landlord this morning after reading all the advice here about being proactive, and you're right that most are understanding if you give them advance notice. Mine said it happens every holiday season and they'd rather know ahead of time than be surprised. One thing I'm going to do that someone mentioned is check the TWC website on Monday to see if it shows "processed" - apparently that updates before the bank deposit actually posts. Also setting up text alerts with my bank so I know the moment it hits instead of constantly refreshing my account. The stress of not knowing exactly when the money will come is the worst part. But at least now we have a realistic timeline to work with instead of just worrying! Hope your deposit comes through by Tuesday/Wednesday as everyone's predicting.

I'm going through this same situation right now and all these responses have been incredibly helpful! Just to add another data point - I requested payment last Wednesday before Veterans Day and it took exactly 6 business days to hit my account (the following Tuesday). One thing that really helped reduce my stress was downloading my bank's mobile app and turning on push notifications for deposits. That way I wasn't constantly logging in to check - I just got a notification the moment it posted at like 5:30am. Also wanted to mention that if you're using a smaller bank or credit union, they sometimes process ACH deposits faster than the big national banks. My credit union posted mine a full day earlier than my friend's deposit at Chase. The waiting is definitely the worst part, but the money always comes through eventually. Good luck to everyone dealing with holiday delays!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Got my eligibility letter two weeks ago but every time I try to file my weekly claim, it says I'm not eligible. It's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing over there. I've tried calling during lunch breaks but can never get through. Going to try that early morning suggestion and maybe check out the physical office route too. This whole process makes you feel like you're going crazy - glad to know it's not just me! Fingers crossed we all get this sorted out soon.

I'm going through this nightmare right now too! Got my eligibility letter 3 weeks ago but the online system keeps telling me I don't qualify. It's beyond frustrating. I've been reading through all these responses and honestly feeling a lot more hopeful - didn't realize there were so many different approaches to try. Definitely going to hit up the local TWC office this week and try that early morning filing trick. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips. Sometimes it just helps to know you're not alone in dealing with this bureaucratic mess!