Just wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - if you're struggling financially while waiting for your appeal, look into local food banks and utility assistance programs. Many counties in Texas have emergency assistance specifically for people dealing with unemployment claim delays. Also, consider reaching out to your state representative's office. They often have caseworkers who can help escalate TWC issues when people are facing genuine hardship. I've heard of cases where this helped speed up the appeals process, especially when someone can demonstrate they're at risk of eviction or losing utilities. The documentation everyone has mentioned is spot-on - your Schedule C filings are going to be your strongest evidence. Since you properly reported everything, you're in a much better position than people who tried to claim unreported cash income. One thing I haven't seen mentioned - if you have any regular clients who can write brief letters confirming the work you did and approximate dates, that can really strengthen your case. It shows the hearing officer that this was legitimate, ongoing business activity rather than just occasional odd jobs. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself. The system is frustrating but your situation sounds very winnable!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was denied for insufficient wages after doing various gig work (Instacart, pet sitting, and some consulting) between my claims. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - when you're gathering your documentation, don't forget about any 1099-NECs you might have received. I got a few from clients who paid me over $600, and those are direct proof of reported income that TWC should easily be able to verify. Also, if you used any business expense tracking apps like MileIQ or Stride during your gig work period, those can help show the legitimate business nature of your activities. I know it might seem like overkill, but every piece of documentation helps paint the picture that this was real work, not just casual side income. The stress of waiting for an appeal is awful, but reading all these success stories is giving me hope. Anita, it sounds like you have a really strong case with your Schedule C filings and the amount you earned. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of us!

I'm seeing a lot of good advice here, but I wanted to add one more perspective as someone who's dealt with TWC appeals. Even though your disqualification likely means you can't get the waiting week paid, you might want to consider whether it's worth appealing that original disqualification decision - not for the waiting week, but for your record. If you truly did submit all the required documentation and the disqualification was incorrect, having that overturned could be important for any future unemployment claims. Sometimes employers report things incorrectly or TWC makes processing errors. An appeal won't help you now since you're employed, but it could protect you down the road if you ever need to file again. That said, if you're happy with your new job and don't want to deal with the hassle, totally understandable to let it go. Just wanted to mention it as an option since you mentioned being confident you submitted everything they asked for.

Just wanted to chime in with some encouragement after reading through this whole thread. I know it's disappointing to lose out on that waiting week payment, especially when you feel like you did everything right and got caught up in documentation issues that weren't your fault. But honestly, reading your story, it sounds like things worked out for the best! You found a better-paying job quickly, which means you're probably coming out ahead financially compared to what you would have made on unemployment benefits. That's actually pretty rare - most people struggle to find work that pays better than their previous job, let alone during a job search that only lasted a couple weeks. I'd definitely second Zara's suggestion about considering an appeal for your record though. Even if it won't get you the waiting week payment, having a clean record with TWC could be valuable if you ever need to file again in the future. Employers sometimes provide incorrect information or there are processing errors, and it's worth protecting yourself. Hope those medical bills work out okay with your new income. Sometimes these bureaucratic frustrations end up being blessings in disguise!

Based on everything you've shared, I think you have a good case. Make sure to provide TWC with these details about your tardiness reasons when they contact you. The fact that your final tardy was to take your child to school when your spouse couldn't is particularly relevant - TWC often recognizes family obligations as reasonable causes. If you do receive a denial, don't panic. The appeal process is straightforward: 1. Submit your appeal online or by mail within the 14-day deadline 2. Prepare a simple statement explaining why you believe the decision was incorrect 3. Gather any documentation supporting your explanation 4. Participate in the telephone hearing when scheduled Approximately 30-40% of initial denials are reversed on appeal, especially in cases like yours where the "misconduct" is debatable.

Congrats on getting approved! Your case gives me hope for others dealing with similar situations. It's really encouraging to see that TWC does take the time to evaluate each case individually rather than just automatically denying anyone who was terminated. Your experience shows how important it is to document everything and be prepared to explain the circumstances. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - don't give up if you get an initial denial. The appeal process exists for a reason and cases like this prove it can work. Thanks for sharing your outcome with the community!

Screenshots of your job applications from Indeed and LinkedIn should definitely help your case! I'd also recommend gathering any email confirmations you received from employers acknowledging your applications, if you have them. When I went through a similar situation, the TWC agent seemed more interested in showing a pattern of consistent job searching rather than super official documentation. One tip: organize everything by date so you can clearly show you were actively looking during those two weeks. If you applied through company websites directly, try to grab screenshots of your application history from their career portals too. The more you can demonstrate that you were genuinely unemployed and available for work during that gap, the better your chances. Also, when you call, be polite but persistent - explain that you were diligently job searching and didn't realize you should file immediately while looking. Some agents are more flexible than others. Good luck!

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Lost my job on a Friday, spent two weeks networking and applying thinking I'd bounce back quickly, then finally filed when reality hit. When I called TWC about backdating, the first agent basically said no way. But I called back a few days later and got someone different who actually walked me through the appeal process. She explained that while "hoping to find work quickly" isn't typically good cause, if you can show you were genuinely available for work and actively searching, they sometimes make exceptions. I ended up submitting a written request with all my job applications, networking emails, and even LinkedIn messages I'd sent during those two weeks. It took about 3 weeks to get a response, but they actually approved one week of backdating (remember you still lose the waiting week no matter what). So definitely don't give up! Document everything you did job-search wise during that gap period and formally request the backdating in writing after you talk to someone. Even if you only recover one week, that's still several hundred dollars. Worth the effort in my opinion!

Hey Diego! I just went through this exact same situation last year - employer claimed I quit when I was actually laid off due to "budget cuts" (which turned out to be BS). A few things that really helped me: 1) Print out ANY emails or texts mentioning the restructuring/layoffs - even informal ones from coworkers can help 2) Check if your company filed a WARN notice (for mass layoffs) - you can search this online and it's solid proof 3) Bring your final paycheck stub - if they processed you as "laid off" vs "quit" it might show on there 4) Write down the exact words your manager used when they let you go - the hearing officer will ask for specifics The hearing officer asked me directly: "If you wanted to keep working there, would you have stayed?" My answer was obviously YES, which helped prove I didn't quit voluntarily. Also - don't panic if your employer brings multiple people. I had HR, my old supervisor, AND some manager I'd never met on the call. Just stick to your facts and let them contradict each other (which they probably will). You got this! The truth usually comes out in these hearings. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I've been through 3 TWC appeal hearings over the years (won 2, lost 1). Here's something nobody mentioned yet - if you get disconnected during the hearing for ANY reason, call back IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait for them to call you back. I lost my second hearing because my phone died and I waited 10 minutes thinking they'd call me back. They didn't. Also, if your former employer doesn't show up to the hearing (which happens sometimes), you'll basically win by default. But don't count on that - always be prepared as if they'll be there. One thing that really helped me was practicing out loud beforehand. I literally stood in front of a mirror and practiced explaining what happened in 2-3 sentences. When you're nervous it's easy to ramble, but the hearing officer appreciates concise answers. Good luck tomorrow! The fact that you have emails about restructuring puts you in a much better position than most people. You've got this!