My sister had her RESA thing last month and she said they never sent her the link until she called and complained. The whole system is so disorganized! But when she finally got the link it was just a boring Zoom meeting about resumes and stuff. She kept her camera off and just listened while playing games on her phone lol

UPDATE: I finally got through to my local Workforce Solutions office this morning. My RESA event IS virtual! They apologized for the confusion and sent me the Teams link. Thanks everyone for your help and advice - I'll be attending in about an hour. For anyone else facing this issue, definitely call your local office directly rather than waiting for an email that might never come!

If you're having trouble reaching TWC to ask questions about your payment status or any other issues, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was getting nothing but busy signals for days and then found this service that gets you through to a TWC agent usually within an hour. Saved me so much frustration! They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh and their website is claimyr.com. Worth it when you really need to talk to someone at TWC!

Make sure you've set up direct deposit correctly in your TWC account. I had a friend who was waiting for payments that never came because she had entered one digit wrong in her account number. Payment status showed "processed" but the money was in limbo. If your payment doesn't show up when expected, double-check your banking info and then call TWC immediately.

my cousin works at twc (not the claims dept tho) and she says 48 hrs usually means theyre just following standard procedure. dont stress!!

Let us know what happens with your determination! Based on what you've shared, I'd be surprised if you had any issues. The fact that: 1. You were only there 4 days 2. They provided minimal training 3. You didn't even have system access until day 3 4. No warnings were given 5. The employer is saying it was "out of their control" rather than blaming you All of these point to this being classified as a layoff rather than a firing for cause. The distinction is critical for UI eligibility.

UPDATE: Just got my determination letter and they DENIED my claim! It says I "voluntarily left employment without good cause attributable to the employer" which is a complete lie! I'm filing the appeal today. Has anyone here gone through the actual hearing process? I'm terrified of speaking to a judge, even on the phone.

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.

the whole system is designed to make it hard to get benefits just saying

UPDATE: My account just got unlocked! It took exactly 3 business days from when I did the ID.me verification. I received an email saying my account access had been restored. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

I handle DUA claims professionally, and there's a lot of confusion about how this program works. Here are the key facts: 1. DUA minimum payments are automatically issued when TWC can't immediately verify your income. This is BY DESIGN to get money flowing quickly after a disaster. 2. You have 21 calendar days (not business days) from your initial application date to submit income verification for recalculation. 3. For the income documents, TWC specifically needs proof from the most recently completed tax year before the disaster - not the base period used for regular UI. 4. Common mistakes: submitting incomplete tax returns, only sending partial pay documentation, or sending current year information instead of prior year. 5. Submit everything through the TWC portal using the DUA document upload section specifically - not the regular UI document upload. You can also contact your state representative's office if you continue having trouble reaching TWC. They often have dedicated channels to help constituents with unemployment issues.

Yes, for combined W-2 and 1099 income, you should submit the complete tax return including all schedules along with any W-2 forms. TWC will consider the total income when recalculating the DUA amount. Make sure the return is signed (even if e-filed) and includes all pages of Schedule C for any self-employment. If possible, also include a signed statement breaking down how much came from each source of income. This isn't strictly required, but it helps the claims examiner process things faster since they don't have to spend time figuring out which portions came from which source.

My cousin works at TWC (not in unemployment tho) and he says they're super understaffed right now. He said even the employees can't get through on the phones sometimes lol. The 8am thing does work better but like even then it's hard.

UPDATE: I finally got through!! I used that Claimyr service that someone mentioned above. Got a callback with a TWC agent in about 1.5 hours. Found out the issue was that my previous employer contested my reason for separation (claimed I quit when I was actually laid off). The agent helped me submit the right documentation and said my payments should process within 3-5 business days. Honestly worth it after wasting days trying to call myself. Wish the regular phone system wasn't such a disaster though!

One resource many people overlook is the Texas Workforce Commission's training programs. Even after your UI benefits exhaust, you may still qualify for their training assistance programs like WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). These programs can provide funding for training in high-demand fields, sometimes including living stipends while you train. I'd recommend visiting your local Workforce Solutions office ASAP and asking about the WIOA program and other training opportunities. They can do an assessment to see what you qualify for. Some fields like healthcare, IT, and commercial driving are always looking for workers and have accelerated training programs.

Has anyone here dealt with the Community Action Agencies in Texas? I saw them mentioned online but don't know if they're legit or what they actually provide. Getting so many dead ends trying to find help!

I had the EXACT same problem in 2024! My first job paid nothing and then I got a great job for 6 months and then lost it. TWC did the same thing to me - kept me on the old claim with the tiny benefit amount. Honestly there's not much you can do except wait until your benefit year ends. The system is SO frustrating. In the meantime, look into food banks and rental assistance in your area. Also call 211 - they connected me with some emergency resources while I was waiting. I know this sucks but hang in there! Once you can file the new claim it will be based on the better wages.

One additional thing to check - log into your TWC account and look at your claim and payment status. Check the "Maximum Benefit Amount" and how much you've already received. It's possible you didn't use much of your benefits during your first unemployment period, so the "exhausted" message after just two payments seems unusual unless your Maximum Benefit Amount was very low to begin with. If the numbers don't add up, there could be an error worth investigating. Sometimes TWC systems show "exhausted" when there's actually another issue with your claim that needs addressing.

One more important tip: speak clearly and professionally during your hearing. Since it's likely by phone, make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception. Have all your documents organized and in front of you. Don't interrupt the hearing officer or any TWC representatives, even if you disagree with what they're saying - wait your turn to respond. Also, at the end of the hearing, they'll typically ask if you have any final statements. This is your opportunity to briefly summarize your key points about being available for work. Something like: "I have always been available for full-time work, had temporary transportation arranged while my car was being repaired, and have been actively seeking employment as demonstrated by my work search records."

UPDATE: I just finished my appeal hearing and I think it went well! The hearing officer was actually really nice and let me fully explain the transportation situation. She seemed to understand that there was a miscommunication in my initial interview. She asked for details about my job search activities and seemed impressed that I'm applying to 5+ jobs weekly and have had interviews. I stayed calm (mostly!) and had all my documentation ready like you all suggested. She said I should receive a written decision within 7-10 days. Fingers crossed!!! Thank you everyone for your advice and support - it really helped me prepare and feel less anxious!