I won a very similar severance overpayment appeal about 6 months ago, and reading your story brings back all those same feelings of panic and frustration! The fact that you called TWC beforehand and reported everything properly puts you in a really strong position. Here's what worked for me: I created a simple one-page summary showing the timeline - when I was laid off, when I called TWC, what they told me, when I filed, and how I consistently reported my severance on every payment request. The hearing officer could see at a glance that I acted in good faith throughout the entire process. Also, don't underestimate how powerful it is that you have those payment request confirmations showing you disclosed the severance. That's your smoking gun evidence that you weren't trying to hide anything. The hearing officer in my case said that kind of consistent disclosure pattern was exactly what they look for when determining whether someone was acting fraudulently or just following bad guidance. One last tip - when they ask you questions, keep referring back to the fact that you specifically called to ask how to handle the severance and followed their instructions exactly. Don't let them make it about whether you "should have known" the rules differently. This is about whether you reasonably relied on their guidance, and you clearly did. You've got a very winnable case here!

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that might help your case - if you still have access to your old work email or HR records, try to get a copy of the actual layoff notice or severance documentation that shows the timing and reason for the payment. In my research, I found that TWC sometimes reverses these decisions when they can clearly see the severance was a one-time payment for past service rather than ongoing compensation. Also, if your former employer has a standard severance policy that shows this type of payment is routine for layoffs, that could strengthen your argument that it wasn't wages for the weeks in question. The combination of your disclosure records plus documentation showing it was clearly a past-service payment seems like it would be really compelling evidence. Best of luck with your hearing - it sounds like you have a really strong case based on everything you've shared!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got one of those vague messages about "additional information needed" with no details about what they actually want. The changing deadline thing is absolutely maddening and makes it feel like the system is broken. I'm definitely going to try the 7am calling strategy tomorrow. Has anyone had success with the chat feature on the TWC website, or is calling still the only reliable way to reach a human? Also keeping my fingers crossed that it's just another routine work search verification and not something more serious!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! My deadline has changed three times in the past week and I've been calling non-stop with no luck. Reading through all these responses is giving me some hope though. I'm definitely going to try the 7am strategy tomorrow morning, and I love the tip about taking screenshots of the changing deadlines - I wish I had thought of that earlier! It's so frustrating that their system is this glitchy when people's livelihoods depend on it. At least now I know I'm not going crazy and this is actually a widespread issue. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I just checked my old emails and found that my claim from this February took exactly 33 days from filing to approval. The agent I spoke with when I called using Claimyr explained that first-time claims just take longer because they have to verify everything from scratch. After the initial approval, everything went smoothly with my biweekly payment requests. Hang in there!

I totally understand your stress - I went through something similar earlier this year. Filed in January and didn't get approved until mid-February, so about 6 weeks total. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're worried about bills. One thing that helped me manage the anxiety was setting up payment plans with my utilities and explaining the situation to my landlord. Most companies are understanding about unemployment delays right now since it's so common. The fact that the agent gave you a specific timeframe ("about a week") rather than a vague "keep waiting" response is actually really encouraging. In my experience, they only give those kinds of estimates when they can see your claim moving through the final stages in their system. Keep doing everything you're supposed to do - the payment requests, work search activities, checking your correspondence inbox - and try to hang in there just a little longer. The backpay when it finally comes through will help catch you up on everything.

Just wanted to add that you should also gather any documentation about the warehouse assignment ending - even if it's just an email or text from your supervisor mentioning the contract was up or the project ended. This helps establish that it was truly a layoff and not job abandonment on your part. Also, when you're at the hearing, be very specific about the timeline. Say exactly when you were laid off, when you called the temp agency (include the date and approximate time), who you spoke with, and what they told you. The more specific details you can provide, the more credible your testimony will be. One more tip - if the temp agency claims you were supposed to follow some specific procedure for requesting new assignments, ask them to provide documentation of where this policy was explained to you (employee handbook, orientation materials, etc.). Often they can't produce this because they never actually communicated the requirements clearly to workers.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with a different temp agency. The whole system seems designed to deny legitimate claims. One thing that might help you - if you have your phone bill showing the call to the temp agency, that's usually considered good evidence even without detailed call logs. Also, don't let them intimidate you during the hearing. The temp agency will probably send someone who deals with these appeals regularly, but remember that the hearing officer has seen these cases many times and knows the common tactics agencies use to avoid paying unemployment. Stick to your facts: you were laid off through no fault of your own, you contacted them the next day as any reasonable person would, and they failed to provide you with new work or clear instructions on what else you should have done. The waiting is brutal but hang in there. From what I've seen, workers usually win these cases when they can show they made a good faith effort to contact the agency after being laid off.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year. My employer claimed I "abandoned my job" when they actually laid me off. Here's what helped me win my appeal: 1. I wrote out a detailed timeline with exact dates and who was present when I was terminated 2. Got a statement from my coworker who witnessed the meeting where I was let go 3. Brought my employee handbook showing their termination procedures (which they didn't follow if I had really "quit") 4. Had my final paycheck stub that showed they processed it as a termination, not a resignation The hearing lasted about 45 minutes. The judge asked very direct questions like "Did you tell your employer you were quitting?" and "What exact words did your manager use when letting you go?" My employer's story fell apart when they couldn't provide any evidence I had quit voluntarily. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and lying employers get caught in these hearings more often than you'd think. Document everything you can remember and stay calm during the hearing. You've got this!

The appeal process through TWC is completely free - you don't pay anything to file an appeal or participate in the hearing. That's one of the great things about the system. Just make sure you file within that 14-day deadline from when you received your determination letter. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice from @Jade Lopez - if you have any text messages or emails from around the time you were let go, screenshot them now. Even something like a text to a friend saying "can't believe I got fired today" with a timestamp can help establish that you were terminated, not that you quit. Also check if your workplace has security cameras - sometimes you can request footage of you being escorted out or leaving after the termination meeting, though this varies by employer. The key is building a timeline that shows you were an employee in good standing who was terminated by the company, not someone who abandoned their job. Your perfect attendance record will definitely help with that narrative.