Smart plan! One additional tip - when you're documenting everything, also keep records of your job search efforts even while you're working the 1099 contract. If the startup does fold and you need to file for unemployment, having a history of networking and staying connected to the job market can help demonstrate that you remained engaged with traditional employment opportunities, not just freelancing. This can counter any argument that you "abandoned" W2 work permanently. Good luck with the startup - sounds like you're going in with your eyes wide open!

I've been through this exact situation in Texas and wanted to add one more crucial piece of advice: when you negotiate your 1099 contract, try to get language that specifically states you're an "independent contractor" rather than "self-employed" and that the contract can be terminated by either party with notice. This distinction can actually matter to TWC. Also, if possible, see if the startup will agree to provide a written statement about why the contract ended if funding runs out - something like "contract terminated due to business closure/lack of funding" rather than just letting it expire. I know it sounds awkward to negotiate termination language upfront, but having that documentation ready can save you months of appeals later. The other thing I learned the hard way - don't wait to file your claim if the contract does end. File immediately while the circumstances are fresh and you have all your documentation together. The longer you wait, the more questions TWC will have about the gap in your work history. Best of luck with the startup opportunity!

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!

I've been dealing with Texas unemployment for over a year now due to multiple job transitions, and I've learned a few tricks that might help speed things up. First, if you haven't already, try creating an account on the ReliaCard website (goprogram.com) - sometimes you can see if your card has been issued and get an estimated delivery date even before it arrives. Second, I've had luck calling US Bank's ReliaCard line super early (like 6:30 AM) or late in the evening when call volumes are lower. Finally, here's something most people don't know - if you're facing a true financial emergency (like eviction notice, utility shutoff, etc.), you can actually request an emergency payment voucher through TWC that allows you to pick up a check at certain locations. It's not widely advertised and requires documentation, but it exists for severe hardship cases. You'd need to call TWC and specifically ask about "emergency payment options" - most reps don't know about it unless you use those exact words. Hope this helps and your card arrives soon!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who works with unemployment claims. Everyone here has given you really solid advice - unfortunately, the waiting week payment rules are pretty black and white. Since you never received any benefit payments due to the disqualification, you won't be able to collect that waiting week payment. But I wanted to echo what others have said about appealing the original disqualification decision. If you genuinely provided all the required documentation and believe the disqualification was incorrect, it's worth pursuing an appeal - not for the money at this point, but to clear your record. Wrongful disqualifications can impact future claims and even show up in background checks for certain jobs. The appeal process can take time, but if you have copies of what you submitted and can demonstrate you met all requirements, it might be worth it for peace of mind. Plus, if you ever need unemployment benefits in the future, having a clean record will make the process much smoother. Congrats on landing the better-paying job though - that's the real win here! The waiting week sting is temporary, but a good job with better pay is long-term benefit.

I've been reading through all these responses and it's really refreshing to see such a supportive community helping each other understand these complicated TWC rules! As someone who's dealt with similar unemployment documentation nightmares, I just wanted to add that you should definitely keep copies of everything you submitted for that appeal process people are suggesting. I learned the hard way that TWC's document tracking isn't always perfect - I had to resubmit things multiple times during my appeal because they claimed they never received files I definitely uploaded. If you do pursue clearing your record, scan/screenshot everything with timestamps showing when you submitted it. That documentation trail can be crucial if there are any disputes about what was or wasn't provided. Also, just wanted to say that finding better-paying work that quickly after a layoff is honestly incredible in today's job market. That waiting week payment would have been nice, but sounds like you dodged a bullet by not having to navigate the unemployment system for months. Those medical bills are tough, but hopefully the better salary helps you tackle them soon!

I'm really glad you posted this Daniel! I had a similar scare a few weeks back when I was running errands and realized at 5:15pm that I hadn't done my payment request yet. I was literally in the parking lot of Target frantically trying to log into the TWC website on my phone! Got it submitted by 5:25pm and still received my payment on the normal Tuesday schedule. The 6pm cutoff is definitely a hard rule, but as long as you're under it, you're in the clear. Setting those calendar reminders is such a smart idea - I did the same thing after my close call. It's amazing how much stress we can save ourselves with just a simple recurring alarm!

This whole thread has been so helpful! I'm about 4 months into unemployment and I've definitely had my share of Sunday deadline anxiety. What I've learned is that the TWC system is actually pretty reliable with that 6pm cutoff - it's one of the few things that works exactly as advertised! I've submitted anywhere from 9am to 5:30pm and always gotten paid on the same Tuesday schedule. The key thing that helped me was realizing that ALL Sunday submissions before 6pm get processed in the exact same batch, so there's literally no advantage to submitting early vs late in the day. Now I just make sure to get it done sometime Sunday afternoon when I'm relaxed and not rushing. Daniel, glad everything worked out for you and thanks for sharing - these real experiences are way more valuable than just reading the official TWC guidelines!

I just went through this process as a self-employed IT consultant and wanted to share what I learned! The application process is the same system as regular employees, but there are definitely some key things to know upfront. First, when you apply online, there's a section asking about your work status - make sure you select "self-employed" rather than just "unemployed." This prevents confusion later. You'll also list your business name as your "employer" in the work history section. For your specific situation with losing 75% of clients due to their budget cuts, that absolutely qualifies as involuntary income loss. Save all those cancellation emails - even vague ones about "pausing services" help demonstrate the loss was beyond your control. Documentation you'll need: - 2024 tax returns (especially Schedule C) - Any 1099s you received - Bank statements showing business income patterns - Client cancellation emails/contracts - Business license or registration (if you have it) Important heads up: benefits are calculated on your NET Schedule C income after business expenses, not your gross revenue. So if you had significant deductible expenses, your benefit amount might be lower than expected. Start documenting work search activities now, even before you're approved. You'll need 3 per week, and for self-employed folks, networking events, client outreach, and business development activities all count alongside traditional job applications. The whole process took me about 4-5 weeks. Being super organized with documentation upfront really helps avoid delays. You've got this - the system is confusing but definitely navigable with the right prep!

I'm a self-employed accountant who just successfully completed this process last month, so I wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me: **Documentation Organization Tip**: Create a single PDF file with all your key documents in order - tax returns first, then 1099s, bank statements, and client cancellation emails. This makes uploading much easier and ensures nothing gets lost in their system. **Timeline Management**: While others mentioned 4-6 weeks, mine actually processed in just 3 weeks because I called the TWC customer service line exactly 7 days after applying to confirm they received all my documents. Sometimes a simple check-in call can prevent your application from sitting in a queue. **Work Search Strategy**: For the 3 weekly work search activities, I mixed traditional job applications (about 1 per week) with business development activities (networking events, client outreach emails, professional development courses). The key is being very specific in your descriptions - instead of "sent client emails," write "contacted 5 potential clients via email regarding tax preparation services, including XYZ Company and ABC Corporation." **Benefit Calculation Reality Check**: My benefits came out to about 35% of my previous average monthly net income. It's not great, but it definitely helps bridge the gap while rebuilding your client base. The client cancellation situation you described sounds very similar to what I experienced - definitely document those as "economic conditions beyond your control." You're going to get through this!