One specific tip: during your fact-finding interview with TWC, use the phrase "I made a good faith effort to meet all job requirements" and mention that you were never informed your job was in jeopardy. These specific phrases are relevant to how TWC evaluates cases. Also, if your determination is initially unfavorable, you have 14 calendar days to appeal. The appeal hearing is conducted by phone with a hearing officer and has a more formal process where both sides present evidence. Many people win at this stage who were initially denied. Make sure you're continuing to request payment every two weeks while waiting for determination, and completing your work search activities (minimum 3 per week). Keep detailed records of all your work searches.

For your work search activities while waiting for determination: 1. Make sure you're doing at least 3 documented work search activities per week 2. Register with WorkInTexas.com if you haven't already (this is required) 3. Keep detailed records of all applications and contacts (company name, position, date, contact method, follow-up) A determination should come within 21 days, but with current backlogs it might take longer. Until then, you won't know if you're approved or denied, but you should continue requesting payments on your assigned day every two weeks. If approved, you'll receive payment for those weeks (minus the waiting week). And remember - even if initially denied, many people win on appeal, especially in situations like yours where there's no documented history of progressive discipline.

u might get lucky and see it in ur correspondance inbox online before the mail comes thats what happened to me last month. def better than waiting for snail mail

FYI when I won my appeal all my back payments hit at once but some people on here said theirs came in batches over a couple days. Just don't panic if you don't see the full amount right away.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, your payment schedule will continue to be biweekly. So after your 10/6 request, your next one would be 10/20, then 11/3, and so on. TWC assigns everyone a specific day to request payment (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) based on the last digit of your Social Security Number. You'll always request on that same day every two weeks. And a tip about the work search requirements - while TWC can audit your work search activities at any time, they typically don't verify every single application with employers. But when they do audit, they'll ask for specific details, so keep good records of where you applied, contact information, job titles, and application dates.

i just filed my request online never call in. way easier IMO

i HATE when employers do this!!!! they ignore everything until they get the chargeback notice showing how much their unemployment tax might go up, THEN suddenly they care and want to fight it!!!! the system is SO RIGGED for big business!!!

One more important thing - when you attend the hearing, make sure you have your documentation organized and ready. Have the original claim date, the date of the determination letter in your favor, and the date you received the appeal notice. Present this timeline clearly to establish how much time passed. Also, be very respectful to the hearing officer even if your employer gets hostile or makes false claims. Stay calm and stick to the facts - your professionalism can make a big difference in these hearings.

Hi there, I work as an employment counselor and help people with TWC issues regularly. There's been a known issue with the payment request system this week that's affecting some (but not all) claims. Here's what I recommend: 1. First, try the Tele-Serv system at 800-558-8321 instead of the website 2. If that doesn't work, you need to speak with a TWC agent directly. The quickest way is to call exactly at 7:00 AM when the lines open or try throughout the day 3. If you receive the error multiple times, take screenshots as documentation 4. Most importantly - keep trying to request payment, even if you get errors. Document each attempt with dates/times. This protects you if your payment is delayed, as you can prove you were attempting to comply with the requirements The good news is that once this is resolved, you'll receive all payments you're eligible for, including any delayed ones.

Update: I tried the early morning approach (5:30am) and was able to successfully submit my payment request! The website was much faster at that time. Thanks everyone for your help!

Did u try the telecenter nunber instead? Sometimes they can help u even tho they say to call the other one. I got locked out last year and had to call like 60 times before gettin thru but the regular TWC number helped me. Also make sure ur not blockin ur caller ID cuz i heard they dont answer private numbers anymore.

Just wanted to update everyone on what finally worked for me. I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and I got through to TWC in about 30 minutes! The agent was super helpful and explained that my account got flagged during the system maintenance because I had logged in during the actual update window (totally my fault, I didn't read the maintenance notice). She removed the late filing status on the spot and processed my payment request. The agent said the payment should post within 2-3 business days. Such a relief! Thank you all for your suggestions - this forum saved my sanity!

Good luck with ur claim! Mine got approved in like 30 min after the phone interview but I know some people who had to wait a few days. Just check ur correspondence inbox on the TWC portal, thats where the determination letter shows up first

Just to follow up - did you get your determination letter yet? If approved, make sure you continue requesting payments on your assigned days. Even after approval, missing a payment request can cause delays and complications with your claim.

Here's the actual TWC policy on students receiving unemployment benefits: 1. You must report that you're starting school on your payment request 2. You'll need to complete a student questionnaire 3. Your benefits continue if you remain available for full-time work 4. Being "available" means your class schedule doesn't prevent you from accepting suitable work 5. For nursing programs specifically, look into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which can provide additional support If you're taking morning classes 3 days a week and available other times, you're likely still eligible. The real question TWC asks isn't "would you quit school for a job" but rather "does your school schedule make you unavailable for work." Also, since nursing is considered a high-demand field in Texas, you might qualify for TWC's Training Benefits program, which would exempt you from work search requirements while you complete your education.

To answer your latest question - yes, if you're approved for Training Benefits, you receive the same weekly benefit amount as regular unemployment. The main difference is you're exempt from work search requirements while you complete your approved training program. The application process for Training Benefits requires: 1. Completing the Training Benefits application form (available on the TWC website) 2. Getting your nursing program details verified by TWC 3. Continuing to request payments while your application is being processed Nursing is definitely considered a high-demand occupation in Texas, which works in your favor for approval. Just make sure to apply for Training Benefits as soon as possible, as it can take 2-3 weeks for processing.

I want to clarify something important: under Texas Workforce Commission rules, if you quit due to sexual harassment, the burden actually shifts to the EMPLOYER to prove they took reasonable steps to prevent or correct the harassment once you reported it. Make sure to emphasize during your appeal that: 1. You reported the harassment through proper channels 2. The employer failed to take appropriate corrective action 3. The situation made continued employment unreasonable This is covered under TWC's Unemployment Insurance benefits precedent cases dealing with workplace harassment. The hearing officer should be familiar with this standard.

hey when is ur appeal hearing? mine took FOREVER to get scheduled, like 7 weeks after i filed the appeal request

Make sure when you start requesting benefits you also do your work search activities each week (minimum 3 per week). Don't make another technical mistake that could hurt your claim if you win the appeal.

ok so Im gonna share what happened to my cousin who had literally THE SAME SITUATION!! he missed like 6 payment requests during his appeal cuz he didnt know better. when he finally won his appeal (took like 2 months btw) he called TWC right away and explained that he didnt request payments cuz he thought he couldn't while denied. they let him backdate THREE of the missed requests but said it was a "one-time courtesy" or whatever. so basically he got half of what he shouldve gotten. better than nothing but still super frustrating. good luck!!