This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately way too common these days! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where my benefits went to some account I've never seen before. A few things that have helped me so far: - When you file that police report, make sure to specifically mention "identity theft" and "fraudulent bank account access" - the TWC fraud department needs those exact terms in the report - Save/screenshot EVERYTHING from your TWC portal before they potentially "fix" anything, because I've heard of cases where people lost their evidence when TWC updated their systems - If you have any friends or family who work in banking, ask them to help you trace those routing/account numbers. Sometimes you can at least figure out which bank the fraudulent account is with The 6-8 week timeline everyone's mentioning seems accurate based on what I'm hearing from the fraud department, but don't let them string you along past that. Start escalating if you hit 10 weeks with no resolution. Stay strong - this whole system is broken but people ARE getting their money back eventually. Document everything and keep pushing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! Unfortunately, I'm dealing with something very similar right now. My benefits also went to some mystery account that I definitely never set up. From what I've learned so far, here are a few things that might help speed up your case: 1. When you call that fraud hotline (512-463-2832), try calling right when they open at 8 AM - you'll have the best chance of getting through quickly. 2. Ask them to flag your case as "high priority" since you never received ANY benefits (unlike cases where people got some payments before the fraud occurred). 3. Keep a detailed timeline of everything - when you applied, when payments started going to the wrong account, when you discovered it, etc. They'll ask for this multiple times. 4. If you haven't already, check if TWC sent any emails to your spam folder about banking changes. Sometimes there's a paper trail that helps prove you didn't make the changes yourself. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but from what I'm seeing in this thread, most people do eventually get their money back. Stay persistent and don't let them brush you off! Sending you good vibes that your case gets resolved quickly.

I'm experiencing this exact issue right now too! Filed Tuesday, system shows payment processed Wednesday, but it's now Monday and still nothing in my account. This thread has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear this is happening to a lot of people lately. I didn't report any part-time work this week either, so it seems like TWC is just having general system delays. Going to wait until Wednesday before calling since everyone's saying 3-5 business days seems to be the new normal. Really hope they get these payment processing issues sorted out soon!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my weekly request on Tuesday, got the usual confirmation that payment was processed on Wednesday, but here we are on Monday and my account is still empty. This is the first time I've experienced a delay like this - usually my payments are incredibly reliable and show up Wednesday morning like clockwork. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and concerning. It's good to know I'm not alone, but troubling that TWC seems to be having widespread payment processing issues lately. I didn't report any part-time earnings this week either, so it sounds like it's just general system delays. I think I'll follow the advice here and wait until Tuesday or Wednesday before calling TWC. The Claimyr service that Katherine mentioned sounds like it might be worth trying if the payment doesn't show up by then, since getting through to TWC directly has been nearly impossible lately. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know this is a known issue and not something wrong with my specific claim!

This is really helpful to know! I'm new to the TWC system and filed my first claim last week. I was supposed to do my payment request this Sunday but now I'm wondering - should I expect delays every time there's a holiday? And is there a way to check ahead of time if TWC will have processing delays for upcoming holidays? I want to plan better so I don't panic like you all did this week!

Just want to add my experience as someone who's been on TWC for over a year - this holiday delay thing is so predictable that I actually plan my budget around it now. Whenever there's a Monday holiday, I know my payment will be 1-2 days late, so I make sure I have a little extra cushion that week. It's annoying but at least it's consistent! Also pro tip: if you're really stressed about it, you can always check the TWC website's news section - they sometimes post notices about processing delays during major holidays, though they don't always do it.

I'm sorry you're going through this - it's really tough being stuck between staying healthy and paying bills. One thing you might want to check is whether your state has any emergency assistance programs through HHSC (Health and Human Services). They sometimes have one-time emergency funds for situations like this. Also, some food banks and community organizations have utility assistance programs that could help stretch your savings while you recover. It's not unemployment, but every little bit helps when you're missing two weeks of pay. Hope you feel better soon!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - just got over COVID myself last week. One thing that helped me was reaching out to 211 (you can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org). They have a database of local resources including emergency financial assistance, utility help, and food programs. Some churches and nonprofits in Texas also have hardship funds specifically for people who miss work due to illness. It's worth making a few calls while you're recovering. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to get documentation from your doctor about your isolation period - some employers are more understanding when they see official medical documentation, and it might help if you need to apply for any local assistance programs. Hang in there!

This thread has been incredibly valuable! I just went through the TWC PIN process myself last month and can confirm that the in-person route is definitely the most reliable. I tried calling for three days straight and never got through, but when I visited the Workforce Solutions office in Austin, they had my PIN issue resolved in about 20 minutes. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if anyone is helping an elderly family member or someone who isn't comfortable going alone, most offices allow you to accompany them as long as the applicant brings proper ID and can verify their own information. The staff was really patient with my father-in-law who needed extra time to understand the process. Also, I noticed they have translation services available if needed, which could be helpful for non-English speakers navigating this system. Really great to see this community supporting each other through these bureaucratic challenges!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - my uncle in Fort Worth just lost his job after 20 years and is completely lost trying to navigate the TWC system. He's from an older generation that isn't comfortable with technology, and the PIN issue has been a major roadblock. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that the in-person office visit is the way to go. I'm planning to take him to the local Workforce Solutions office this week. The tips about arriving early, bringing multiple forms of ID, and having bank information ready for direct deposit are exactly what we needed to know. It's amazing how this community has essentially created a step-by-step survival guide for dealing with TWC's confusing system. Thank you to everyone who shared their struggles and solutions - you're helping real people get through some of the most stressful times in their lives!