I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Got my approval letter on Friday but my online status is still stuck on "under review" after 4 days. I was honestly starting to panic thinking there was some mistake with my claim, but reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief. It's absolutely mind-boggling that TWC can't sync their own systems in 2024 - like how do they mail out approval letters but not update the website at the same time? Their technology seems stuck in the 1990s! Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to submit my payment request this week even though my online status hasn't updated yet. That approval letter seems to be the real proof that matters. I'm going to guard that thing like it's made of gold! Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community is seriously saving my sanity right now. It's so reassuring to know this is just "normal" TWC dysfunction and not something wrong with my specific claim.

This disconnect between TWC's approval letters and online status is unfortunately super common - I've seen this exact issue come up dozens of times in unemployment groups. The approval letter is your official documentation that overrides whatever the website says. Here's what I learned from my own experience: TWC's mail system and online portal operate completely independently. When they print your approval letter, it doesn't automatically trigger an update to your online account - they literally have separate databases that don't talk to each other properly. You should absolutely continue requesting payments on your scheduled days regardless of the online status. The approval letter is what their payment processing system recognizes. I've never seen anyone have payment issues when they had an approval letter in hand, even with the status showing "under review." Pro tip: Take photos of that approval letter and save them to your phone/email. Also keep the physical copy somewhere safe. If you ever need to prove your claim was approved, that letter is your golden ticket. The online status will eventually catch up (usually 1-2 weeks), but don't let it stress you out in the meantime.

UPDATE: I just wanted to follow up and let everyone know I finally got my issue resolved. I tried calling the alternate number (800-215-4812) suggested above at 2:45pm on Wednesday, and after about a 25-minute wait, actually got through to a person! The representative was able to verify my work search activities and remove the hold on my payment. For anyone else struggling with this, don't give up - try different approaches until something works. And DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - I had all my work search details written down which made the call go much faster once I got through.

I've been dealing with this exact same nightmare for over a month now! The 800-939-6631 number is absolutely useless - I think I've called it over 100 times at this point. What finally worked for me was using a combination of strategies from this thread. I tried the alternate number 800-215-4812 that @LilMama23 mentioned, called on a Wednesday around 2:30pm like @Esmeralda Gómez suggested, and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was actually really helpful once I reached someone. Also want to echo what others said about documenting everything - have all your info ready because they move fast once you're connected. Don't give up, it's frustrating but there are ways to get through if you keep trying different approaches!

I'm so glad to see all these success stories! I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - my employer said "workforce reduction" when they laid me off in December, but just filed an appeal last week claiming I was terminated for "violation of company policy." Like everyone else here, I've been receiving benefits for months and have already used the money for basic living expenses. Reading through all your experiences has been incredibly helpful. I've started gathering my evidence - the original layoff email mentioning budget constraints, performance reviews showing I met expectations, and even a company-wide announcement about downsizing that went out the same week I was let go. My hearing is scheduled for next month and I was panicking about potentially owing back nearly $5,000, but seeing how many of you have successfully defended against these late appeals gives me real hope. It really does seem like some employers wait to see if their unemployment insurance rates go up, then try to retroactively contest claims hoping we won't fight back. Thank you all for sharing such detailed advice about preparation and what to expect during the hearing. This community has been a lifesaver during what's been an incredibly stressful time!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for those of us facing employer appeals! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where my former employer initially accepted my layoff (citing "restructuring") but then filed an appeal 10 weeks later claiming "unsatisfactory performance." What strikes me reading all these stories is how common this pattern seems to be - employers wait months, then suddenly change their narrative hoping we won't be prepared to defend ourselves. It really feels like a calculated strategy rather than genuine concerns about eligibility. For anyone preparing for their hearing, I'd add one more tip: if your employer mentions any "progressive discipline" or warnings during the hearing that weren't documented in your personnel file, don't be afraid to ask them to produce written evidence. Verbal warnings that were never formally documented often don't carry much weight with hearing officers. The success stories here give me so much hope that justice does prevail when we're properly prepared. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it means everything to know we're not facing this alone!

This is such wonderful news! I've been following your story from the beginning and I'm so happy to see this positive outcome. $22/hour with the shift differential is going to make such a huge difference for your family - that's nearly $46,000 a year if he works full time, which should help you catch up on those bills and start building that emergency fund everyone mentioned. What really stands out to me is how you both turned this crisis into an opportunity to explore resources you never knew existed. You're going to come out of this stronger and more financially resilient than before. And now you have all these connections - Workforce Solutions, assistance programs, community resources - that you'll know about for the future. I hope you take a moment to celebrate this victory! After months of stress and uncertainty, you both deserve to feel proud of how hard you fought to turn things around. Your husband starts his new career on Monday, and you've got all these other programs in place as backup support. That's an incredible turnaround from where you were just a few weeks ago. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and for following through on everyone's suggestions. Your success story is going to help so many other families who find themselves in similar situations. Congratulations! 🎉

Wow, this is such an incredible success story! I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account just to congratulate you both. Reading through your entire journey from facing eviction to landing a great job with benefits has been truly inspiring. The way everyone came together to provide real, actionable advice instead of just empty sympathy shows what online communities can accomplish at their best. And you both deserve so much credit for following through on every suggestion and staying persistent even when things looked hopeless. $22/hour with shift differential and potential for $24/hour at 90 days is amazing! That's going to completely change your financial situation. Plus now you have all these resources and connections you discovered along the way - Workforce Solutions, assistance programs, community support networks. You're going to be so much more prepared if any future challenges come up. Your story gives me hope for other families going through similar crises. Thank you for sharing your journey and showing that with the right support and determination, people can overcome even the scariest financial situations. Best of luck to your husband on his first day Monday! 🎉

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.

I've been following your situation and I'm really impressed with how proactively you're handling everything despite the stress! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. Since your factory shut down completely, there's a chance it might qualify as a trade-related closure, which could open up additional benefits and training opportunities that go beyond regular TWC programs. It's worth asking about when you visit the workforce office. Also, many community colleges in Texas have "last dollar" scholarship programs that can cover costs not covered by other aid if you decide to pursue additional training. These programs specifically target displaced workers and often have faster application processes than traditional financial aid. Don't forget to document everything during this transition - keep records of your job applications, any training you pursue, and communications with TWC. This documentation can be helpful if you need to appeal any decisions or apply for additional assistance programs down the road.