when u have ur hearing make sure u mention that the new manager seemed to have it out for u. i had a hearing last year and the TWC person specifically asked if i thought there was another reason behind my firing. they know that companies use performance as an excuse when they just want to get rid of someone! the fact that u had no issues for 3 YEARS until new manager is super suspicious!!

To answer your earlier question - TWC will not pay benefits while your appeal is pending IF they initially deny you. However, if you win the appeal, you'll get retroactive payments for all the weeks you properly requested payment during the appeal process. That's why it's absolutely critical to continue requesting payments every two weeks even when your claim status is disputed or denied. Regarding documentation - yes, submit everything with your initial claim. It may prevent a denial in the first place. Include performance reviews, any commendations, awards, etc. Also important - if your PIP had unrealistic or vague goals, point that out specifically. One more tip: if your employer offers a severance package that requires you to waive your right to unemployment benefits, consult with an employment attorney before signing. In many cases, you can't legally waive unemployment rights in Texas regardless of what you sign.

This is such important information! My cousin had an $11,000 overpayment waived completely using this process. The key was proving he applied in good faith and that TWC made the error in approving him when they shouldn't have. The financial hardship part was pretty straightforward - just basic documentation of income and expenses showing inability to pay.

That gives me some hope! I definitely applied in good faith and provided all documentation honestly. I'll prepare my financial information ahead of time in case I need to request this waiver. Thank you both for this advice!

If you've verified your claim doesn't show any issues and you can't reach TWC by phone, you have a few additional options: 1. Email TWC at ui.ombudsmen@twc.texas.gov with your name, last 4 of SSN, and a brief description of your issue. They typically respond within 3-5 business days. 2. Contact your local Workforce Solutions office. They can't fix payment issues directly, but they sometimes have direct lines to TWC specialists. 3. Check if your payment method accidentally reverted to the ReliaCard. This sometimes happens after quarterly claim updates. 4. If you worked part-time during any claim periods, make sure you reported your earnings correctly. Even small discrepancies can trigger a review. In my experience helping clients with TWC issues, most "processed but not received" payments are resolved within 10 business days once you make contact with a claims specialist.

did u figure it out yet? what was the problem?

btw make sure u keep up with ur work search requirements even while waiting for benefits to start!!! u still gotta do the 3 job contacts each week

One more tip: once you file and report your severance, TWC will send you a determination letter explaining exactly when your benefits will start. Keep an eye on your correspondence inbox on the TWC website. Mine took about 10 days to arrive after I applied. The letter will give you the exact date you can start requesting payments.

To answer your follow-up question about timing: Once your son's claim is approved (which typically takes 2-3 weeks if there are no issues), he'll be able to request his first payment. He won't get paid for the first week (the waiting week), but he still needs to request payment for it. After that, he'll request payment every two weeks on his assigned day. The money usually arrives 2-3 business days after a successful payment request via direct deposit, or 5-7 days if he's using the TWC debit card. Regarding work search documentation, a spreadsheet is perfect! He should record: - Date of activity - Employer name/contact information - Type of work search activity (application, interview, networking, WorkInTexas.com activity, etc.) - Position applied for - Method of contact (online, in person, email) - Results/follow-up TWC doesn't audit everyone, but when they do, having organized records makes it much easier.

For your last question about what counts as work search activities - it's more than just job applications. Here's what TWC accepts as valid work search activities: - Submitting job applications/resumes - Attending job interviews - Creating a profile on WorkInTexas.com - Attending job fairs - Participating in job search seminars or workshops - Taking skills assessment tests - Registering with a staffing agency - Networking events related to job search He needs at least 3 of these activities each week. And regarding the wage investigation deadline - he should request it within 14 days of receiving his Statement of Benefits letter. Also, once he starts receiving benefits, he should set a reminder to request payment every two weeks. Missing a payment request can create real headaches!

Just a quick update for you - I spoke with a TWC rep yesterday about something else and specifically asked about ReliaCard timing. They confirmed that the first deposit is always slower (2-3 business days) because they run additional verification checks. After that, it should be consistently faster. Hope this helps ease your mind!

Quick tip: Once you start receiving regular deposits, set up account alerts in the ReliaCard app. You can get text messages whenever a deposit hits your account. Really helpful for planning bills and knowing exactly when funds are available.

Quick tip: Once you do get your ReliaCard, you can set up the US Bank ReliaCard mobile app to see when deposits hit your card. You can also transfer money from the card to your personal bank account through the app if you prefer not to use the physical card. The transfer usually takes 2-3 business days but it's free.

When I got unemployment in October last year, I was also worried about the ReliaCard timing. Mine actually arrived in exactly 5 business days which was faster than I expected. But my situation was probably different than yours since I'm in Houston not Dallas. One thing I wish I'd known sooner - you can call US Bank directly about the card status even before you receive it. Their customer service was actually way more helpful than TWC. The number should be on the TWC website where they explain the ReliaCard program. Hope this helps! Good luck with your rent situation.

One more thing - the appeal hearing isn't your only chance. If you lose, you can request a re-hearing within 14 days if you have good cause, or appeal to the Commission. Many people give up after the first appeal, but persistence can pay off. Also, don't forget to keep requesting payment while your appeal is pending! Many people forget this step and lose weeks of potential benefits if they eventually win.

I FORGOT to mention!!! Make sure you talk about how your manager was treating you BEFORE the PIP!! It sounds like they were targeting you after you reported them and that's RETALIATION!!! The fact they never had problems with your work for years before this is SUPER IMPORTANT!!!

One more suggestion - check with your employer about using any accrued sick time, vacation time, or PTO toward your leave. Some companies allow you to use these first before going into unpaid FMLA status. That way you at least get some income for part of your leave. Also, some employers have emergency employee assistance funds. Worth asking HR if anything like that exists. The system is definitely broken, but hopefully you can piece together enough resources to take the time you need with your baby.

update: i checked with my neighbor who works for a law firm and she said that if your doctor puts you on bed rest BEFORE your due date, sometimes you can qualify for unemployment during that specific period because then it's a medical issue preventing you from working at ANY job, not just a voluntary leave. but once baby is born and ur on regular maternity leave, ur back to being ineligible. might be worth asking ur doctor about if ur having any complications??

yeah she got all the back money at once. was like 6k cause it took like 3 months total. but she had to request payment every 2 weeks whole time like someone else already said

Since your separation involves both a medical issue and a natural disaster, make sure to specifically mention both during your appeal hearing. TWC has special provisions for both situations. The natural disaster element (hurricane flooding) adds substantial weight to your case since TWC recognizes this as a legitimate barrier to work. Also worth noting: if you've worked for this employer for over a year, mention that too. Longer employment history works in your favor for these types of appeals.