Just want to share my experience - I worked W2 for 5 yrs, took a 1099 gig, it ended after 8 months when company restructured. Applied for unemployment and got DENIED!!! They said I "voluntarily left the workforce" by becoming self-employed!!! Had to appeal and provide sooooo much documentation. Finally got approved but took 6 weeks with no income. Just be prepared for that!!

Thank you all SO much for the advice! I think I'm going to take the startup position but with some serious precautions: 1. I'll make sure the contract clearly outlines early termination conditions 2. I'll build up emergency savings to cover at least 3 months in case there's a TWC fight 3. I'll look into that Self-Employment Assistance Program 4. I'll keep detailed documentation of all communications about the job It sounds like I might qualify based on my W2 base period, but that I should expect challenges and possibly appeals if I need to file. This has been incredibly helpful - exactly the real-world insight I was looking for!

anyone know if networking events count as work search activities? i went to 2 last month but wasnt sure if i could count them

Update: I checked my payment request history and I DID mark that I completed my work search activities for that period. I was confused because I couldn't find where to enter the actual details. Based on what you all are saying, it sounds like I might be okay since I certified I did them (which I did), even though I didn't record the details at the time. I'm going to start keeping better records now in case I get audited. Thank you all for the help and clarification!

Im having the same problem but with my payment request. Been trying to tell them I started part time work but cant get through to report my earnings. Will my benefits stop if I cant reach them??

Update for anyone following this thread: I just checked the TWC website and they've posted a notice about higher than normal call volumes. They're recommending people use the online portal whenever possible and are apparently hiring additional staff to handle the increased volume. So hopefully the situation improves soon.

wut was ur reason for separation? that matters more than anything for the hearing

To answer your question from earlier - yes, I won my appeal! My employer tried to say I quit but I had proof I was laid off. The appeal hearing was actually pretty straightforward - about 30 minutes on the phone with a hearing officer who asked both sides questions. Just be honest and stick to the facts. And yes, you'll continue getting benefits until a decision is made, which usually comes about a week after the hearing.

To answer your follow-up questions: 1. Yes, you need to do 3 work search activities EVERY week starting immediately, even before your first payment request. 2. You don't need to upload proof with each request, but you need to keep records in case you're audited. TWC randomly checks people's work search activities. 3. WorkInTexas.com is separate from your TWC account. It's Texas's job matching system - you need to register there as part of your unemployment requirements. 4. And yes, job fairs definitely count as work search activities! Just make sure to get some kind of proof you attended (take a photo, get a flyer, etc).

Glad you're getting on track! One more thing - when you do your first payment request, have your bank account information ready for direct deposit setup if you haven't done that already. It's much faster than waiting for a debit card or paper check.

That helps your case then. Warehouse jobs have high injury rates and TWC knows this. They'll be more likely to suspect retaliation. My buddy won his appeal in a similar situation. Just make sure you mention it was a warehouse job during your appeal.

The key thing that helped me win my appeal was proving the real reason was different than what the employer claimed. If they told you \

Just to provide some clarity here: TWC does have a policy regarding system outages that affect filing deadlines. If their system is officially down and prevents you from submitting your payment request on your assigned day, they should extend the deadline without penalty. However, you need to: 1. Document your attempts to file (screenshots of errors, times you tried to access the system) 2. Continue trying to submit throughout the day if possible 3. Try the Tele-Serv system as a backup (800-558-8321) 4. If all else fails, contact TWC as soon as their system is back up If you've missed your filing day due to a system outage, call TWC directly and explain the situation. Request that they document in your file that you attempted to file on your assigned day but were unable to due to the system outage. In most cases, they'll allow you to submit late without penalty if the outage is verified. The most important thing is to be persistent and document everything. This happens a few times a year, unfortunately, but TWC generally makes accommodations for these situations.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know the website is working again! I was able to submit my payment request just now (11:45pm). If today was your filing day too, try again tonight! The system seems much faster than usual too.

im about to start a new job next week after unemployment and now im worried the same thing will happen with my final payment! does anyone know if theres a way to get proof when you submit a payment request? like maybe print the screen or something?

Quick update on appeal timing: As of 2025, TWC appeal hearings for payment request issues are currently being scheduled about 4-6 weeks out from filing. This is actually faster than it was last year when the backlog was much worse. So if you do decide to appeal, you might not have to wait as long as some people experienced in the past.

if u want a hack try calling the spanish number and then press 9 for english sometimes u can get thru faster that way

One important thing to note is that if your determination takes longer than 21 days from your initial application date, you might qualify for a special payment option called Payment Under Timeliness (PUT). This is basically TWC acknowledging they're taking too long to process claims. If approved, you'll receive benefits while they continue reviewing your case. You'll need to specifically ask about this when you reach a representative, as they don't always offer this information proactively.

Just to add a different perspective - I had the exact opposite happen. I paid an overpayment and then requested benefits the same day, and they properly recognized my payment. This was about 2 months ago. So maybe they've fixed some of these system issues? I think it might depend on timing and which TWC office processes your claim.

Based on everyone's experiences here, I suggest taking these steps: 1. Call TWC first thing tomorrow at 800-939-6631 2. If you can't get through, try again during off-peak hours (usually right after lunch) 3. Have your confirmation number ready 4. Ask the representative to: - Verify they see your overpayment payment in the system - Flag your account to prevent a second deduction - Document the call in your case notes - Provide you with a reference number for the call If they do end up taking the payment twice, you'll need to go through their refund process, which typically takes 1-2 weeks. The good news is that they do eventually correct these issues, but it can be frustrating waiting for the resolution.