After I used Claimyr to reach TWC, the agent told me something important - even after your benefits exhaust, you should still request payment every two weeks. It keeps your claim active in the system, and if any new programs become available, you'd be automatically considered. Plus it counts toward unemployment statistics which can trigger additional funding.

UPDATE: I finally got through to TWC this morning! Used that Claimyr service and it actually worked. The agent confirmed what most of you said - once my regular benefits run out, there aren't currently any extensions. BUT she did help me apply for their Skills Development training program since I qualify based on my manufacturing background. If approved, I could get benefits extended while I complete a 12-week certification program. Will update again when I hear back about approval. Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!

I know this sounds crazy but I got through yesterday after 3 weeks of trying! Here's what worked for me - call the main number but IMMEDIATELY press 0# when it starts talking. Then when it asks for your SSN, press 0# again. It put me in a different queue and I only waited 25 minutes. No guarantees but worth a try!

UPDATE: I finally got through!!! Used that Claimyr service that someone recommended and got connected to a TWC rep in about 35 minutes. Turns out my former employer contested my claim (they said I quit when I was actually laid off). The rep helped me submit the correct documentation and said my claim should be processed within 5-7 business days. Such a relief - thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!!

You know what? I'm gonna say what everyone else is thinking - TWC is DELIBERATELY making this process difficult! They don't want to pay benefits so they create these ridiculous bureaucratic mazes. The same thing happened to my brother-in-law and they ended up denying his claim for some totally bogus reason after making him wait 6 weeks. He had to appeal and wait ANOTHER 2 months! The whole system is designed to wear you down so you give up.

UPDATE: I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and I FINALLY got through to a TWC representative today! For anyone curious, here's what they told me: 1. My claim was indeed on hold because of the severance payment 2. They're treating my $5,200 severance as 4 weeks of regular pay (just like someone here predicted) 3. The reason I didn't get any letters is because there was a mailing address error in my file The agent fixed my address and said I should receive my determination letters within 7-10 days. They also confirmed that I'll be eligible for benefits after the severance period ends, and that all my payment requests are in the system. Such a relief to finally know what's happening! Thank you all for the advice and support.

After dealing with TWC for the past 6 years on and off, I've found that timing your calls is crucial. Try calling exactly at 7:00 AM when they first open or between 4:30-4:45 PM when call volume tends to drop. Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays altogether as those are their busiest days. Also, when you do get through, politely ask if they can place a 'priority flag' on your account due to financial hardship. Not all agents will do this, but some will, and it can move your claim up in their processing queue. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but persistence usually pays off eventually.

Update us when you get this resolved! Also, make sure you keep requesting payment every two weeks even though nothing is happening yet. I've seen people give up on requesting because nothing was being paid, but then when their claim finally processed, they only got paid from the most recent requests, not the full backpay they deserved.

SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW!!! Been waiting for over a month for "separation confirmation" whatever that means. TWC is a JOKE! They expect us to look for work but can't even process our claims so we can pay our bills. Every time I call they tell me something different too. Yesterday they said it was still processing, today they said there's an issue with my work search. WHICH IS IT???? The whole system is designed to make people give up.

Update: I finally got this resolved! Followed several pieces of advice from this thread. First, I called my former employer's HR department who confirmed they had responded to TWC's inquiry a week ago. Then I used Claimyr to get through to TWC (actually worked, surprisingly) and spoke with a claims examiner who found that my employer's response had been received but was sitting in a processing queue. The examiner manually reviewed it, saw that my employer confirmed the layoff was due to downsizing, and pushed my claim forward. My account updated overnight and now shows payments being processed for all the back weeks! Such a relief. Thanks everyone for your help!

I had similar issues but not with duplicate accounts. What I don't understand is why TWC relies on this terrible verification system that nobody can get help with??? My benefits were delayed 7 weeks because of ID.me problems. Even when I finally did the video verification, it took another 2 weeks for TWC to acknowledge it in their system. The left hand doesn't know what the right is doing.

Update: We're making progress! We tried several of your suggestions. First, we sent an email to ID.me support with "TWC VERIFICATION - DUPLICATE ACCOUNT" in the subject line. Then we also scheduled a video verification call (3 hour wait but worth it). The video agent was able to confirm my husband's identity and said they've noted the duplicate account issue and are merging them. They said it would take 24-48 hours to complete and then the TWC system should update within another 72 hours. I'll post again once we know if the benefits are flowing again. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help! TWC really needs to provide better guidance on these ID.me issues rather than leaving people stuck for months.

In my experience helping others with TWC issues (I'm not an employee but have navigated the system many times), backdating is actually fairly straightforward IF you can reach the right person. The problem is getting through. One thing no one has mentioned - make sure you've been claiming payment requests for ALL weeks since you filed, even while trying to get this backdating issue resolved. If you miss payment requests, you could lose benefits entirely. Also, when you do reach someone, the magic phrase is "good cause for late filing" - use those exact words. Technical difficulties with the website is considered good cause, as is helping a family member with a medical situation. Document everything - dates/times of call attempts, screenshots of errors, etc. Lastly, check your determination letter carefully. Sometimes they approve backdating but only for part of the period requested.

Just to give you a realistic timeline expectation - even after you reach someone and get a backdating request submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks for them to make a determination. Then if approved, another 5-7 business days for the payments to process. Make sure you keep documentation of your layoff date (termination letter, final pay stub) and any evidence of why you couldn't file sooner (screenshots of website errors, medical documentation if applicable). The good news is that if they approve backdating, they'll pay you for all eligible weeks between your layoff and filing dates, assuming you would have qualified during that period (were able and available for work, etc.

One more important thing to know: make sure you're still completing your bi-weekly payment requests on time, even if you're confused about the work search requirements. You can always provide additional information if TWC has questions, but missing a payment request deadline can cause serious problems with your claim. Also, if your work field has limited job openings, you might qualify for a reduced work search requirement. You'd need to discuss this with TWC directly though.

This thread is so helpful! I just wanted to share that when I was on unemployment last year, I went to a free resume workshop at my local Workforce Solutions office, and they counted that as one of my work search activities for the week. They also helped me set up job alerts for positions matching my skills, which saved me tons of time. Might be worth checking if your local office offers similar resources!

One other thing to consider - if you do reach TWC and they confirm you're not eligible for regular unemployment, ask specifically about any pandemic-related programs that might still be available. Some of those had different eligibility requirements than standard unemployment.

UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I used Claimyr to finally reach TWC yesterday, and the agent confirmed I'm not eligible for unemployment while on maternity leave. However, they did direct me to some emergency assistance programs through Texas Workforce Solutions that I'm applying for now. Also filed for TANF and reached out to a local community program for new mothers that might help with some bills. It's not a perfect solution, but at least I have some potential options now. This has been such a stressful time.

One more thing - make sure to clearly explain in your appeal that you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. TWC looks for whether you took reasonable steps to resolve the situation before quitting. If there was no HR department, explain that the owner was your boss so there was no one else to report the issues to. For your appeal format, a clear, chronological letter works best. Start with "I am appealing the determination dated [date] because..." and then lay out your facts. End with a clear statement like "Based on these facts, I had good cause connected with the work to leave my employment and request that the determination be reversed."

took about 5 weeks for me from filing the appeal to getting my first payment after winning. it sucked waiting but the backpay helped. also they didnt tell me this but u need to keep requesting payment every 2 weeks even while appealing!!