Just wanted to add that the hearing officer calling out your employer's lies is actually HUGE! I've been to three different TWC hearings over the years (unfortunately had some bad luck with employers) and the officers are usually very neutral and professional. For them to actively challenge your employer's statements means they clearly spotted inconsistencies or outright falsehoods. Combined with your text message evidence and witness testimony, this sounds like a really strong case. I know the waiting is torture, but try to stay positive - everything you've described points to a favorable outcome. And definitely get those payment requests caught up ASAP like others mentioned!

I had a very similar situation last year where I submitted notice but then withdrew it due to a family emergency, and my employer still terminated me but claimed I quit to avoid paying unemployment. The whole process was incredibly stressful, but I ended up winning my appeal. A few things that really helped my case: 1) I had email documentation of my notice withdrawal, 2) I kept detailed records of all communications with my employer, and 3) I had a coworker who was willing to provide a written statement. The fact that you have text messages proving termination AND witnesses is really strong evidence. From what you've described about the hearing officer's reaction, it sounds like your case went very well. I know the waiting period is awful - I barely slept for the 9 days it took to get my decision - but try to stay optimistic. The evidence is clearly on your side, and TWC takes employer dishonesty very seriously. Make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims during this waiting period!

I went through something similar two years ago - the key is acting fast but also being thorough with your documentation. Since you mentioned you worked in hospitality and there were company-wide layoffs, make sure to gather any emails, texts, or documents that reference the "restructuring" and "economic conditions" your employer mentioned. Even internal company announcements about financial difficulties could help your case. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline of events - when you were laid off, when you filed for benefits, when you received approval, etc. This shows you were acting in good faith throughout the process. Also document every step you take now (screenshots of your appeal submission, phone call logs if you contact TWC, etc.). The appeals hearing will likely be by phone, so when you do get your new hearing scheduled, make sure you have a quiet space and all your documents organized. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights and the fact that you weren't notified is a serious procedural violation. Stay strong!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now but with a smaller amount. One thing I learned from my research is that you can also request an "overpayment waiver" if you can prove that repaying the money would cause financial hardship and that you received the benefits in good faith (which you clearly did since the original determination was in your favor). The waiver form is available in your TWC account under the overpayment section. Even if your appeal is successful, it might be worth filing the waiver as a backup plan. You'll need to provide financial documentation showing your income, expenses, and assets to demonstrate hardship. Also, don't panic about the $13,500 amount - I've read that TWC often includes penalties and interest in their initial overpayment calculations, so the actual base amount you received might be lower. Make sure to ask for a breakdown of how they calculated that figure during your appeal process.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - got my appeal hearing notice after 14 months of waiting. I was honestly ready to just ignore it since I found work last year, but reading about everyone getting thousands in back pay has convinced me to go through with it. The advice about requesting your appeal file ahead of time and testing the phone connection is really valuable. It's frustrating that TWC creates these massive delays and then expects us to still be prepared with all our documentation, but at least it sounds like the hearings themselves are pretty straightforward. Thanks for posting this - it's given me the motivation to dig up all my old paperwork and actually follow through with my hearing!

This whole thread is really eye-opening! I had no idea so many people were dealing with these massive delays. I filed my appeal in August 2024 and haven't heard anything yet - was starting to think I did something wrong or my paperwork got lost. But seeing that some people are waiting 15+ months makes me feel less crazy. The advice about requesting your appeal file and testing the phone connection beforehand is really smart. I'm definitely going to start gathering all my old documentation now so I'm ready whenever my hearing finally gets scheduled. It's encouraging to see that people are still winning their appeals and getting significant back pay even after these ridiculous delays. Thanks for sharing your experience - this community is so helpful for navigating TWC's broken system!

When I had my appeal hearing, I had my 3 year old screaming in the background and I was so embarrassed! But the hearing officer was actually really nice about it. Just wanted to say they're usually pretty understanding people. I was nervous too but it went way better than expected.

Just wanted to add - make sure you have a quiet space for the call and test your phone connection beforehand! I had my hearing last month and the connection kept cutting out, which made it really stressful. The hearing officer was patient about it, but it definitely made me more nervous. Also, if you get overwhelmed during the hearing, it's totally okay to ask for a moment to collect your thoughts or to ask them to repeat a question. They want to make sure you understand what's being asked. One thing that really helped me was writing out a basic timeline beforehand with key dates - when I started the ID.me process, when the hurricane hit, when I discovered the issue, etc. Having it written down made it easier to stay organized when explaining everything. You've got this! The fact that you have documentation of the hurricane and your attempts to complete verification puts you in a really good position.

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what ended up working. I found the dropdown for "Other state-issued ID" and entered my Oklahoma license. Submitted the claim and got an email confirmation right away. The TWC status page shows my claim is now pending with a message saying it's being processed as an interstate claim. Thank you all for the help!

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation but in reverse - I live in Texas and worked in New Mexico. The TWC system kept rejecting my NM employer information. After reading through all these responses, I realized I need to look more carefully for the interstate options. Question though - has anyone had issues with TWC not recognizing out-of-state employers in their system? My company shows up when I search but then gives an error when I try to select it.