I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my claim about 8 days ago after being laid off due to company downsizing, and seeing "pending" status every time I check has been driving me crazy. I was so worried that those first couple weeks would just be lost money. This entire thread has been absolutely incredible - I had no idea how the TWC backpay system actually worked and was imagining all kinds of worst-case scenarios. Reading so many success stories from people who got their full backpay as lump sums once approved has given me so much peace of mind. Since my layoff was also due to legitimate business reasons (downsizing), it sounds like I'm in the same boat as most of you with straightforward approvals once the employer response period ends. I've already set up calendar reminders for my payment request dates after seeing everyone emphasize how critical it is to never miss one. The financial stress while waiting is definitely real, but knowing that so many people have been through this exact timeline and gotten their money makes the wait more bearable. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this has been way more helpful than anything I could find on the official TWC resources!

I'm currently in almost the exact same situation! Filed my claim about 6 days ago after my position was eliminated due to budget cuts, and it's been stuck on "pending" status this whole time. I've been doing my payment requests through Tele-Serv like clockwork but was getting really anxious about whether those weeks would just vanish. This thread has been such a game-changer for my anxiety levels - I had absolutely no idea how the TWC backpay system actually worked and was imagining all sorts of nightmare scenarios. Reading so many detailed accounts from people who got their full backpay as lump sums once approved has been incredibly reassuring. Since my separation was also due to legitimate budget cuts with no misconduct involved, it sounds like I'm in the same category as most of you with straightforward approvals expected once the employer response period ends. I've already implemented the calendar reminder strategy after seeing how many people stressed the importance of never missing a payment request date. The financial pressure while waiting is definitely intense, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of unexpected job loss. But knowing that so many people have navigated this exact timeline successfully makes the uncertainty much more manageable. This community knowledge-sharing has been infinitely more helpful than anything I could find in the official TWC documentation - thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences!

This whole thread is incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea this was such a widespread issue with TWC's system! I've been fortunate not to deal with this personally yet, but reading everyone's experiences has me worried it could happen to any of us at any time. What really stands out to me is how consistent the pattern is: benefits suddenly cut off, zero correspondence or notification, and then it turns out to be some verification requirement that their system failed to send properly. It's absolutely unacceptable that people are having their lifeline cut off due to what's clearly a major technical failure on TWC's end. For anyone currently dealing with this - based on all the success stories shared here, it really seems like persistence with calling is key. The "pending verification requirements" phrase that keeps coming up seems to be the magic words that get agents to actually dig into what's wrong with your account. And definitely keep filing those weekly requests even while showing ineligible! Bruno, thanks for starting this thread and following up with your resolution. It's given so many people hope and a clear path forward. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes dealing with these government agency nightmares bearable!

This thread has been incredibly valuable to read through! As someone who's been receiving unemployment for about 2 months now without any issues, I had no idea this kind of system failure was happening to so many people. The consistency of everyone's experiences - sudden ineligibility with zero notification - really proves this is a major technical problem on TWC's end, not user error. What strikes me most is how this seems to be hitting people right when they need their benefits most (like right before rent is due). That can't be coincidental. It's honestly terrifying to think this could happen to any of us at any time without warning. For those still dealing with this issue, the advice shared here seems solid: call right at 7am, use the "pending verification requirements" phrase, try the Spanish line transfer trick if needed, and definitely keep filing your weekly requests even while showing ineligible. The success stories give me hope that while TWC's system is clearly broken, the actual agents can fix these issues once you reach them. Bruno, thank you for sharing your resolution details - knowing it was an ID verification issue with updated license info will probably help others identify similar problems. This kind of community knowledge-sharing is exactly what we need when dealing with these agency failures!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been approved for 3 weeks but stuck in the $0 payment black hole with no ReliaCard in sight. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no clue about the dedicated payment services line (800-558-8321) or that specific email for card issues. I've been wasting weeks calling the general TWC number like everyone else. What really stands out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how this seems to be a massive system-wide glitch affecting thousands of people, not individual account problems. The fact that so many of us have the exact same symptoms (approved claim, "paid" status showing $0, no ReliaCard received) suggests there's a serious integration issue between TWC and US Bank's systems that they're either not acknowledging or not prioritizing to fix. I'm definitely going to try the Tuesday/Wednesday 10:30am calling strategy with that payment services number, and I'll use @Oliver Alexander's magic phrase about checking "payment method processing status" specifically. Also sending an email to TWC.BPC_Debit_Card@twc.texas.gov tonight with all my details. The stress of having approved benefits trapped in digital limbo while real bills pile up is absolutely crushing. But seeing people actually get their issues resolved after weeks of persistence gives me hope. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - this community support means everything when the official system completely fails us!

I've been following this thread closely as someone who went through a similar ReliaCard nightmare earlier this year, and I wanted to add a few tips that might help people who are still stuck: 1. **Document EVERYTHING** - Take screenshots of your portal showing $0 payments with "paid" status, save confirmation numbers from any calls where you actually reach someone, and keep records of all correspondence. This becomes crucial if you need to escalate or file a complaint later. 2. **Try the "three-call rule"** - If you get through to someone who says "everything looks fine" but your issue isn't actually resolved, politely end the call and try again. Different reps have different system access levels and troubleshooting abilities. I had to call three times before finding someone who could actually see the ReliaCard processing error in my account. 3. **Ask about expedited processing** - Once they identify the issue, ask if they can mark your case for expedited processing. Some reps can flag your account to prioritize your ReliaCard issuance, especially if you've been waiting longer than the standard timeframe. 4. **Alternative contact method** - If you're really stuck, try reaching out to your state representative's office. Many have constituent services staff who can help escalate TWC issues. It sounds dramatic, but when you're facing eviction because of a system glitch, it's worth trying every avenue. The fact that so many people are experiencing this exact same issue is unacceptable, but at least we have each other to share solutions. Hang in there everyone - persistence really does pay off with these system issues!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now and it's absolutely maddening! I've been unemployed for about 3 weeks and have been trying to get through to TWC for the past 5 days with zero success. My longest wait was 4.5 hours yesterday before I finally gave up when my phone battery died. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea about the 7:00 AM strategy or that Wednesday mornings are supposedly the best time to call. I'm definitely setting multiple alarms tonight to try the early morning approach tomorrow. It's honestly insane that we have to become strategic experts just to file for unemployment benefits, but I'm grateful for this community sharing all these hard-learned tips. The online portal keeps giving me errors when I try to upload my separation documents, so I really do need to speak with someone. Has anyone had luck with the mobile app being more reliable than the desktop site for document uploads?

I'm in a very similar boat and this thread has been such a relief to find! I've been trying to reach TWC for the past week after being laid off from my retail job. My longest wait was 3.5 hours on Monday before I had to hang up for a work interview (ironically). The early morning strategy everyone's mentioning sounds promising - I'm definitely going to try calling at 7:00 AM tomorrow. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: I discovered that if you have a simple question, sometimes the automated Tele-Serv line (800-558-8321) can actually provide basic claim status information without needing to speak to a live agent. It's not helpful for complex issues, but it might save some people from those brutal hold times if they just need basic info. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - it really helps to know we're not alone in this madness!

I'm at week 5 waiting for my claim approval and this thread has been a lifesaver! I got laid off from my job at a local credit union, but I also worked part-time at a grocery store for a few months before that. Reading everyone's experiences with wage verification delays, I'm pretty sure that's what's holding up my claim too. The most frustrating part is how TWC makes it sound like 2-4 weeks is normal, but clearly when you have multiple employers it's a totally different timeline. I wish they would just be upfront about these potential delays instead of leaving us guessing what's wrong. I'm planning to try the 7am calling strategy tomorrow morning and ask specifically about wage verification holds. Based on everyone's advice here, I'll also reach out to my old grocery store manager to make sure they respond if TWC contacts them. This community has honestly taught me more about how TWC actually works than their entire website. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this broken system!

I'm at week 6 of waiting for my claim approval and finding this thread has been incredibly validating! I was laid off from my position at a healthcare clinic, but I also worked part-time at a local gym for several months before getting that job. After reading everyone's experiences here, I'm now certain my delay is wage verification related. It's honestly infuriating that TWC doesn't warn you upfront that having multiple employers can add 4-6 weeks to your processing time. Their "2-4 weeks" estimate is completely misleading for anyone with a normal modern work history. I'm definitely joining the 7am calling brigade tomorrow morning. Based on all the advice here, I'll ask specifically about wage verification status and whether both my previous employers have responded. I'm also going to contact my old gym manager today to give them a heads up about potentially receiving a TWC request - small businesses seem to be the worst at responding promptly to these official requests. This thread has been more educational about TWC's actual processes than their entire website and help system combined. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and strategies - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this frustrating tunnel!