I'm so confused by all of this. Does anyone know if this is the same for partial unemployment? My hours got cut way back but I'm not completely unemployed. Do I still have to deal with the waiting week and all that stuff?

One other thing to be aware of - even if you CAN'T get backdated to your actual unemployment date, make sure you're claiming every week going forward! A lot of people file their initial application but don't realize they need to request payment every two weeks. You have to keep certifying even while waiting for your claim to be approved, or you'll lose those weeks too. The TWC system is seriously designed to trip people up in my opinion. They make everything so complicated that people miss out on benefits they're entitled to.

Just FYI - when they switched me to paper checks, the first one took almost 2 WEEKS to arrive, not the 7-10 days they promised. Make sure you have some backup plan for bills in case it takes longer than expected. The TWC rep told me checks go out on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so timing of your payment request can affect when the physical check actually gets mailed.

One other thing to keep in mind: when you receive paper checks, you still need to meet all the regular requirements like completing your work search activities (minimum 3 per week) and requesting payment on your assigned day. The payment method change doesn't affect any of your other unemployment obligations. Many people don't realize this and miss payments because they think the system works differently with checks.

ur lucky to get severance! my company gave us nothin when they shut down. just "sorry bye" 🤷‍♀️

Quick update - I called the TWC office and they confirmed I need to wait until May 1st to file, and I should report my severance payment. They also gave me some info about the training programs that might be available through Workforce Solutions. Thank you all for the advice! This has been really helpful. I'm meeting with a career counselor next week to discuss school options that would qualify under their training program.

also dont forget u need to activate the card as soon as u get it! my husband got his card and thought it was working but he never called the activation number so his card got declined at the gas station and it was super embarrassing

Update: I was able to get through to US Bank ReliaCard directly. They confirmed my card was mailed on the 21st and said they can't expedite it once it's already in the mail. BUT they did verify my current address is correct in their system, so hopefully it will arrive in the next few days. I also setup direct deposit on my TWC account for future payments. Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!

My cousin went through something similar and his old manager kept saying different things each time they called TWC. First it was he quit, then it was poor performance, then it was attendance. The hearing officer caught on to the inconsistencies and he won. Just stay calm during the hearing and let them dig their own hole by changing their story.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I submitted my appeal today and uploaded all my evidence. I'm going to reach out to my coworker tonight about being a witness. Feeling a bit more confident now about the process, even though the waiting is going to be tough. I'll update this thread after my hearing to let everyone know how it went!

To answer your question about logging work searches: Keep detailed records of all work search activities, including the date of contact, company name, position, method of contact (online, in-person, phone), name of person contacted if applicable, and result. You can use the TWC's work search log that's available on their website, or create your own spreadsheet with the same information. Applications through WorkInTexas.com count, as do direct applications through company websites. Just make sure you're doing at least 3 per week and can document them if asked. Other qualifying activities include attending job fairs, networking events, or job skills training.

When you request payment, you'll be asked if you completed your required work searches for each week you're requesting payment for. You just answer yes or no - you don't enter the actual details at that time. However, TWC can audit you at any point and ask for documentation of your work searches, so that's why keeping detailed records is so important. If audited and you can't provide proof, you could be disqualified and even have to pay back benefits. I recommend keeping your work search records for at least a year after your claim ends.

Mine took about 4 business days after my appeal hearing, but that was a few months ago. I've heard TWC is processing faster now. One thing to know: if your backweek amount is over $5000, they sometimes split it into multiple payments for security reasons. So don't panic if you only see part of your expected amount at first.

Quick update question - has your payment status changed in the system yet? Sometimes the TWC portal will show a payment date before you actually receive the money, which can help you plan. Also, make sure your direct deposit information is correct in the system - I've seen cases where people won appeals but had outdated banking info.

has anybody ever had their benefits reinstated while waiting for the commission appeal? im in the same boat and running out of money fast

UPDATE: Just got my Commission decision today! It took exactly 6 weeks and 3 days from when I filed my appeal. They actually REVERSED the Appeal Tribunal decision! I'll be getting backpay for all the weeks I've been requesting payment. Just wanted to update everyone in case it helps someone else who's waiting. And thanks for all the advice - knowing that the wait was normal really helped me manage my anxiety about it.

Just to add a bit more TWC-specific info here: Texas uses what's called a "base period" to determine your benefit eligibility. This is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So even if you could qualify for benefits after this 4-day job (which would be difficult), your benefit amount would be calculated on your wages during that base period, not just this recent job. If you worked somewhere else before this temp position, those wages would be what matter most for your benefit calculation. But as others have said, the key issue is probably going to be the "good cause" determination and whether you made reasonable attempts to resolve the situation before quitting.

So what happened?? Did you go back? Did you quit officially? Did the agency find you a new job?? I'm invested in this story now lol

Important technical details about your situation: 1. When you file, you'll need to complete a "Voluntary Quit Statement" explaining why you left. Be specific about incidents, dates, and how they affected your health/ability to perform your job. 2. TWC uses a "reasonable person" standard - would a reasonable person in your situation have quit? 3. You MUST file a claim first, then complete payment requests every two weeks while your case is being decided (even before approval). 4. You must register with WorkInTexas.com and complete at least 3 work search activities each week. 5. If denied initially, you have 14 calendar days from the date on your Determination Letter to appeal. 6. Having a coworker's testimony could help, especially if they witnessed the same conditions. 7. Appeals typically take 4-8 weeks to schedule, and benefits can be paid retroactively if you win. The appeal hearing is your best opportunity to present evidence, so prepare thoroughly.

Yes, you need to document all your work search activities. This includes job applications, attending job fairs, networking events, creating profiles on job sites, etc. WorkInTexas.com is Texas's official job matching system - you must register there and can use it to find and apply for jobs that count toward your work search requirements. Keep detailed records of all activities: company name, position, date, method of application, contact person if available. TWC may randomly audit your work search activities at any time.