I just went through this exact situation 3 months ago! Got denied for "misconduct" after being late due to my son's daycare having COVID closures. I was terrified about the appeal but decided to represent myself to save money. Here's what worked for me: - Made copies of ALL communication with my employer about the childcare issues (texts, emails, even wrote down verbal conversations with dates/times) - Created a simple one-page summary showing the 3 dates I was late, why each happened, and what I told my supervisor - Found the specific section in my employee handbook about progressive discipline (turns out they skipped steps!) The hearing was actually pretty straightforward - just a conference call with me, my former manager, and the hearing officer. My ex-boss tried to make it sound like I was constantly late, but I had my documentation ready to show it was only those 3 specific incidents tied to childcare emergencies. Won my case and got back pay for all the weeks I was denied! The hearing officer said the key was proving the tardiness was due to circumstances beyond my reasonable control, which childcare emergencies definitely qualify as. You've got this! Having those texts with your supervisor is huge. Just stay organized and factual during the hearing.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my experience from a few months back. I was in almost the exact same situation - denied for "misconduct" after being terminated for tardiness due to my daughter's medical appointments that couldn't be scheduled outside work hours. I decided to represent myself and it was honestly the best decision. The hearing officer was very fair and asked specific questions about whether I had communicated with my employer and if the tardiness was within my control. Having documentation was key - I had appointment confirmations, texts to my supervisor, and even a letter from my daughter's doctor explaining the medical necessity. What really helped was preparing a short statement (like 2-3 sentences) explaining that while I understood I violated attendance policy, it was due to unavoidable family circumstances that I communicated to my employer. I practiced saying it out loud so I wouldn't get flustered during the hearing. The whole process took about 6 weeks from appeal to decision, and I won! Got all my back benefits too. Don't let them intimidate you - Texas law recognizes that good cause exceptions exist for attendance issues when they're truly beyond your reasonable control. Based on what you've shared about having texts with your supervisor about childcare issues, you're in a strong position. Save your money and represent yourself - you've got this!

I just wanted to update on my experience with Cash App since a few people asked. I've been using it for TWC deposits for about 6 months now. The money usually posts slightly earlier than it did with my credit union (sometimes the night before the official payment date). The only downside is that Cash App doesn't have a physical location if you ever have issues, so keep that in mind.

I actually work for a financial services company that processes ACH transfers, and I can confirm what others are saying - changing your direct deposit info this close to a scheduled payment is risky. Here's what happens behind the scenes: when TWC submits your payment to the ACH network, they include your current bank routing/account info. If you change that info after the payment batch has been processed (which often happens 1-2 days before the actual deposit date), the payment can get rejected by your old bank or lost in limbo between systems. The safest approach is always to wait until after your current payment hits, then make the change. Cash App does work well for unemployment deposits, but timing the change properly is way more important than which platform you use!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My card was supposed to be mailed out last Friday and I'm still waiting. It's so frustrating when you have bills piling up and your money is just sitting there inaccessible. I called US Bank yesterday and they confirmed it was sent but couldn't give me a tracking number or expedite it. The worst part is not knowing if it got lost in the mail or is just taking forever. I'm definitely going to set up direct deposit like others suggested, but that doesn't help with the current payment. Has anyone had success with filing a complaint with TWC about these delays? It seems like this is a widespread problem that shouldn't be happening.

I went through this same nightmare about 3 months ago and it's absolutely maddening! What worked for me was calling US Bank ReliaCard multiple times throughout the day - I know it sounds crazy but different reps sometimes have different capabilities or willingness to help. One rep finally admitted they could put a "rush request" on my account even though my card had already been mailed, which somehow helped it arrive 2 days later instead of the full week they originally quoted. Also, if you have any friends or family who could spot you money for immediate bills, you could have them Venmo/Zelle you cash and then pay them back once your card arrives and you can access your funds. I had to swallow my pride and ask my brother for help, but it saved me from late fees on my car payment. The whole system is broken and puts people in impossible situations, but don't give up on calling US Bank - sometimes persistence pays off with getting a more helpful representative!

Based on all the recent experiences shared here, it's pretty clear that TWC is requiring ID.me verification for virtually all new unemployment claims in 2025. I just wanted to add some additional tips that might help others preparing for this: 1. **Set up your ID.me account BEFORE you need it** - Don't wait until you're filing your unemployment claim. Create the account when you're not under stress. 2. **Use the same email** - Make sure your TWC application and ID.me account use the exact same email address to avoid linking issues. 3. **Have these ready**: Driver's license/state ID, Social Security card, smartphone with good camera, and a well-lit area for the facial scan. 4. **Lighting tips**: Sit facing a window during daytime or use multiple light sources. Avoid shadows on your face and remove glasses/hats during the scan. 5. **Be patient with the facial recognition** - It might take a couple tries, but don't get discouraged. Most people get it working within a few attempts. From what everyone's sharing, TWC has definitely moved toward requiring ID.me as standard practice rather than just for flagged cases. Better to be overprepared than deal with weeks of delays when you really need those benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their recent experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful!

Just wanted to share my perspective as someone who works in the benefits field (not for TWC, but familiar with these systems). What everyone's describing aligns with what I've been seeing across multiple state unemployment agencies - there's been a major push toward mandatory identity verification using ID.me since the pandemic fraud issues. The "risk-based" system that @Fatima Al-Farsi mentioned is spot on. While TWC might technically say it's not required for "all" claims, their algorithms are designed to flag the vast majority of applications for ID.me verification. Things like new IP addresses, minor discrepancies in personal info, or even filing outside normal business hours can trigger the requirement. My professional advice: Don't gamble on being in the small percentage who might not need it. The cost of being wrong (weeks of delays) far outweighs the 30 minutes it takes to set up ID.me proactively. Plus, having a verified ID.me account is becoming useful for other government services too - IRS, VA benefits, Social Security, etc. One additional tip from what I've seen: if you have any legal name changes (marriage, divorce, etc.), make sure your ID.me account reflects your current legal name exactly as it appears on your driver's license. Mismatches there can cause verification delays even after you complete the ID.me process.

I'm dealing with this same nightmare right now and honestly, reading everyone's experiences is both helpful and terrifying! Filed my appeal in late July for a $2,100 overpayment (they claim I didn't report part-time work that I absolutely DID report through their online system - I even have screenshots). It's been 4+ months and still no hearing date. What's really gotten to me is how inconsistent the information is when you finally do get through to someone. One agent told me 4-6 months, another said 6-8 months, and a third one acted like she had no idea and just said "it depends." The lack of transparency is maddening when you're trying to plan financially. I'm definitely going to try some of the suggestions here - especially looking into that deferral request and the Claimyr service. At this point I'm willing to pay a small fee if it means actually talking to someone who knows what they're doing instead of getting the same scripted responses. Samuel, I really feel for you on the tax refund worry. I'm in the same boat needing that money for upcoming expenses. It's so unfair that we have to stress about losing money we're entitled to while fighting overpayment claims that are their mistake in the first place. The whole system really does feel designed to make us give up and just pay whatever they demand.

I'm going through this exact same situation and it's absolutely maddening! Filed my appeal in September for a $1,650 overpayment claim that's completely bogus - they're saying I didn't report temporary work income that I definitely reported through their portal. I even have email confirmations from when I submitted the wage information. What's really grinding my gears is that I've called 47 times (yes, I'm counting) and only gotten through to an actual person 3 times. Each time they give me different information about wait times. First agent said 3-4 months, second said 6+ months, and the third couldn't even find my appeal in the system at first! The tax refund situation has me losing sleep. I'm supposed to get about $2,800 back and I need every penny for car repairs and medical bills. The idea that they could just snatch it away while I'm still fighting their mistake is beyond infuriating. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service after seeing so many recommendations here. At this point, paying a small fee to actually talk to someone competent sounds like money well spent. Also going to look into that deferral request form - even if the phone agents don't know about it, maybe someone higher up does. Stay strong everyone! We shouldn't have to suffer financially because of their incompetence and broken system.