One thing that really helped me when I was in a similar situation was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly earnings vs. the benefit threshold. I put in columns for hours worked, hourly rate, gross earnings, the 25% allowance ($106.25 in your case), and calculated reduction. It made it so much easier to see exactly where I stood each week and plan my hours accordingly. Since you're looking at $18/hr, you could work about 29.5 hours before hitting that $531.25 cutoff where benefits stop completely. Also, make sure you're reporting earnings for the week you actually worked, not when you got paid - that tripped me up initially and caused some confusion with my payment requests.

Just wanted to add something that might help - I found out the hard way that TWC also counts tips, commissions, and any other income (like freelance work) toward your weekly earnings limit. So if your part-time job involves tips or if you do any gig work on the side, make sure to include ALL of that income when calculating whether you'll go over the $531.25 threshold. Also, keep detailed records of everything - pay stubs, tip logs, etc. TWC can audit your earnings at any time, and if they find unreported income, they can make you pay back benefits AND add penalties. I've seen people get hit with huge overpayment bills months later because they forgot to report cash tips or a small side job. The good news is that $18/hr for 22 hours puts you right in the sweet spot where you'll still get partial benefits plus be earning more overall than just unemployment alone. Just stay organized and report everything accurately!

I'm going through something similar right now! Got my determination letter last week saying I owe back $3,800 from 2021. My employer is claiming I was a "no-call no-show" but I have email proof that I notified my supervisor when I couldn't come in due to COVID exposure. One thing I learned from calling TWC (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) - they said having any written communication about your separation is huge. Even if it's just a text saying "hey, we're closing temporarily" that can make or break your case. Also wanted to add - if you're really stressed about the money aspect, I found out TWC has to prove you received benefits you weren't entitled to. The burden of proof is on THEM during the appeal, not on you to prove you deserved it. That made me feel a bit better going into this process. File that appeal ASAP though - the 14-day deadline is no joke!

I went through this exact same situation in 2023 with a COVID overpayment appeal and WON! Here's my step-by-step advice: 1. File your appeal IMMEDIATELY - you have 14 days from the determination letter date 2. When you file, request all documents TWC has on file for your case (there's a checkbox for this) 3. Get a sworn statement from ANY coworker who can verify the restaurant closure - even if they don't work there anymore 4. If you can find any news articles about restaurant closures in your area during COVID, print those too as supporting evidence During my hearing, the employer tried to claim I abandoned my job, but I had screenshots of a group text where our manager told everyone "we're closing indefinitely due to COVID - sorry guys." That single piece of evidence won my case immediately. The hearing officer was actually very understanding about COVID situations. They've heard this story countless times - restaurants closing and then employers later trying to avoid unemployment costs by claiming people quit. Don't stress too much about needing a lawyer for this type of case. I represented myself and it was fine. Just be organized, tell the truth, and have your evidence ready. You've got this!

I'm so relieved to see this positive update! Your experience really highlights how important it is to keep pushing for accurate information from TWC. It's unfortunate that the first representative gave you such alarming and incorrect advice about potentially losing all your benefits. This thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the Training Benefits provision for TWC-approved workforce programs. It makes complete sense that they would have protections in place for people trying to improve their job prospects through official training channels. The CDL field is booming right now, especially in Texas with all the logistics and transportation needs. You're making a smart career move that should lead to much better long-term employment opportunities than the PRN hospital work. I hope the expedited review goes smoothly and you can focus on your training without the stress of wondering about your benefits! Thanks for keeping everyone updated - this information will definitely help other community members who might face similar situations with secondary job separations during approved training programs.

This is such a great example of why persistence pays off when dealing with TWC! The difference between your first and second representatives is night and day - it really shows how important it is to keep trying until you get someone who actually understands the system. I've been working in workforce development for a few years now, and the Training Benefits provision is one of the most underutilized protections available to unemployed workers. The whole point of these TWC-approved training programs is to help people transition to better careers, so it would be completely counterproductive for them to penalize you for quitting a part-time job that conflicts with your training schedule. Your CDL training is going to be such a smart investment! The transportation industry in Texas is absolutely booming right now, and CDL drivers are seeing some of the best wages and benefits they've had in years. Plus, once you have that license, you'll have job security in a way that healthcare PRN work just can't provide. Thanks for sharing this whole experience - I'm sure it'll help a lot of people who find themselves in similar situations. It's a perfect reminder that sometimes you have to advocate for yourself and push back when you get incorrect information from government agencies. Wishing you all the best with your training program!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now and this thread has been a lifesaver! Got terminated last Friday with no warning after 6 months on the job, filed for unemployment over the weekend, and just got my denial letter today for "misconduct." Reading everyone's experiences here gives me so much hope. Like you, I had positive feedback just days before being let go - my manager even complimented my work on a client presentation the Thursday before I was fired on Friday. Makes no sense how they can call that misconduct! I'm filing my appeal tomorrow morning and following all the advice here: keeping the statement factual, requesting my personnel file via certified mail, and documenting everything while it's still fresh. The timeline details everyone shared are super helpful too - sounds like most hearings happen within 2-3 weeks of filing. One thing I'm curious about - did anyone have luck getting witness statements from former coworkers? I have a couple people who would vouch for my work performance but not sure if it's worth reaching out since they still work there. Thanks for starting this discussion - knowing I'm not alone in this and seeing so many successful outcomes makes this whole nightmare feel manageable!

I just wanted to jump in and say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm not currently dealing with an unemployment appeal myself, but I'm bookmarking this for future reference because the level of detailed, practical advice here is amazing. A few things that really stood out to me from everyone's experiences: 1. The consistent theme that employers often can't back up "misconduct" claims with actual documentation - this seems to be their biggest weakness in these cases. 2. The importance of filing the appeal quickly rather than waiting - several people mentioned filing within 2-3 days rather than using the full 14-day window. 3. How valuable that Claimyr service seems to be for actually getting through to TWC when you need to speak with someone urgently. 4. The fact that "misconduct" has a very specific legal definition in Texas that requires willful wrongdoing, not just poor performance. For anyone else reading this thread in the future - it looks like the key factors for winning these appeals are: lack of progressive discipline/warnings from the employer, recent positive feedback that contradicts their claims, and being able to present your case factually and chronologically during the hearing. @Jessica Suarez @Emma Wilson - wishing you both the best with your appeals! Based on everything shared here, you both have really strong cases. Please update us with your results!

I'm currently going through the same waiting process as you! Got approved for TWC benefits two weeks ago and chose the ReliaCard option. My first payment was processed 5 days ago and I've been obsessively checking my mailbox ever since. Based on what I've learned from calling US Bank directly (highly recommend doing this!), Dallas area delivery is typically 6-8 business days from when the payment is processed, not from when you're approved. The customer service rep at 1-800-657-6343 was actually really helpful and could see exactly when my card was mailed. One thing that's helped my anxiety is setting up USPS Informed Delivery - now I can see what mail is coming each day without having to check the mailbox multiple times. Also, I proactively called my landlord to explain the situation and they were totally understanding about a few days delay. The plain white envelope thing is real - my neighbor got hers last month and said she almost threw it away because it looked exactly like a credit card offer. No TWC branding at all, just tiny "US Bank" text. Fingers crossed both our cards arrive soon! The waiting is definitely the worst part but everyone here seems to eventually get theirs. Keep us posted when yours shows up! 🤞

I went through this same stressful situation about 6 months ago here in Irving (Dallas area). My ReliaCard took exactly 7 business days to arrive, which was right in the middle of the timeframe everyone quoted me. A few things that really helped me during the wait: - I called US Bank at 1-800-657-6343 on day 4 and they confirmed my card had been mailed and gave me a rough delivery estimate - The envelope is SO plain - literally just a white envelope with tiny "US Bank" text. I was expecting something official looking with TWC branding - I was able to use the card at an ATM immediately when it arrived, even before completing the phone activation process Since your payment processed yesterday, you're looking at getting it early to mid next week, which should work for your rent timeline. Definitely call your landlord proactively - I wish I had done that instead of stressing until the last minute. Most property managers have dealt with this situation before and are surprisingly understanding. Also, once you get the card, you can transfer funds to your regular bank account through the US Bank app if your landlord doesn't accept debit card payments. The transfer takes 1-2 days but it's free. The waiting is brutal but hang in there - it WILL arrive! Irving and Dallas have pretty reliable mail service so you should be on the faster end of the delivery timeline.