I'm dealing with a very similar situation and wanted to share something that's really helped me stay organized with all the TWC requirements while working inconsistent part-time hours. I created what I call my "TWC Weekly Tracker" - it's just a simple table I keep on my phone with columns for: Work Date, Hours, Gross Pay, Work Search Activity, Company/Details, and Date Completed. Every day I work, I immediately log my hours and earnings. Every time I do a work search activity, I log it right away with screenshots saved to a specific folder. This has been a game-changer because when it's time to submit my payment request, everything is already organized by TWC's Sunday-Saturday week format. No more trying to remember what I did three days ago or miscalculating which earnings belong to which week. One thing I learned that might help - if you're looking for that second part-time job, try reaching out to businesses during their slower hours and explain your situation. I found that smaller employers are often more willing to work around existing part-time schedules, especially if you're upfront about your availability from the start. The partial unemployment system really can work as a bridge while you build more stable income. Just stay consistent with documentation and reporting - TWC rewards accuracy and penalizes mistakes, so developing good habits now will save you headaches later. You've got this! 💪

I'm going through something really similar right now and wanted to share a few things that have helped me navigate the TWC system with inconsistent part-time hours! First, the good news - you can absolutely continue receiving partial benefits while working part-time AND searching for another part-time job. TWC doesn't require you to only look for full-time work. The key is understanding their calculation: they subtract 30% of your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), then subtract your gross weekly earnings. Whatever's left is your payment. A few practical tips that have saved me a lot of stress: 1) **Track everything by TWC's week** (Sunday-Saturday). I keep a simple note in my phone where I log my work hours and earnings by the dates I actually worked, not when I got paid. This prevents those confusing reporting errors. 2) **You still need 3 work search activities every week**, even with your current job. But these can be diverse - job applications, updating your WorkInTexas profile, contacting temp agencies, following up on previous applications, etc. 3) **Save proof of everything**. Screenshots of applications, confirmation emails, etc. TWC can audit you randomly and ask for documentation going back weeks. 4) **Try temp agencies** - registering with them counts as work search activities AND they often have part-time opportunities that work around existing schedules. The system definitely has its learning curve, but once you get into a routine with proper documentation and reporting, it really can provide that financial bridge while you build more stable income. Hang in there!

Hey Julia! I just want to echo what everyone else has said - the first payment anxiety is SO real but you're going to be okay! I've been on TWC since October and my ReliaCard deposits have been pretty consistent at 2-3 business days. One thing that really helped me was making a simple spreadsheet tracking my request dates and deposit dates so I could see my personal pattern emerge. Also, since you mentioned being stressed about bill timing, I'd suggest downloading the apps for all your utility/bill companies if you haven't already - a lot of them let you see your exact due dates and some even send reminders when payments are processed. The ReliaCard app notifications are a game changer too! And honestly, the fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions shows you're handling this really responsibly. The waiting is definitely the worst part, but once you get through this first payment cycle, you'll feel so much more confident about the process. Wishing you the best - please update us when your payment hits! 🙏

Julia, I completely understand your stress! I've been getting TWC payments for about 3 months now and that first payment anxiety is absolutely brutal when you're trying to juggle bills. Here's what I wish someone had told me: the timing is usually 2-3 business days like everyone mentioned, but I always plan for 4 just to be safe. My personal pattern has been Tuesday request = Thursday afternoon deposit, but that first one took until Friday. What really saved me was calling my creditors the day BEFORE I requested payment - not after. I explained I was waiting on unemployment benefits and most were super understanding. My electric company even noted it in my account so I wouldn't get any automated late notices. Also, set up those ReliaCard app notifications immediately - getting that instant "deposit received" alert eliminates so much anxiety! The waiting is honestly the hardest part of this whole process, but I promise it gets so much easier once you know your personal timeline. You're being really smart by planning ahead instead of just hoping for the best! 💙

Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with the exact same issue for the past few weeks and was getting so frustrated. I tried filing my claim about 8 times over the last week and kept getting booted out at random points - sometimes during the personal info section, sometimes during work search documentation. After reading through all these amazing troubleshooting tips, I'm going to try a combination approach: early morning filing (around 6am), Edge browser in incognito mode, using my phone's hotspot instead of home WiFi, disabling my antivirus web protection temporarily, and having all my info pre-written in a notepad document. It's honestly shocking that a state unemployment system requires this level of technical wizardry just to function, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing solutions. You've all basically created a better troubleshooting guide than anything TWC provides officially! Has anyone noticed if certain days of the week work better than others? I've been trying mostly on Mondays and Tuesdays but sounds like mid-week might be less congested. Going to give it another shot tomorrow morning with all your suggestions - fingers crossed!

I've been dealing with this exact same issue and I'm so glad I found this thread! The TWC website has been absolutely brutal for me too - I've tried filing my claim probably 20 times over the past two weeks and keep getting kicked out at different points. Sometimes it's right at the login screen, other times I make it halfway through the work search section before getting booted back to a blank page. Reading through all your solutions has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea that things like VPNs, password managers, antivirus software, and even typing speed could interfere with their system. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become IT experts just to file for unemployment benefits we're entitled to! I'm going to try the combination that seems to work best for most people: early morning filing (around 6am), Edge browser in private mode, using my phone's hotspot instead of WiFi, temporarily disabling my antivirus web protection, closing all other tabs and background apps, and having all my info pre-written so I can type it in manually without copy/pasting. Has anyone tried using a public library computer? I'm wondering if their internet connection might be more stable than residential networks. At this point I'm willing to try anything to avoid calling TWC and sitting on hold for hours! Thanks to everyone for sharing their workarounds - this thread should honestly be pinned somewhere because TWC's website is clearly a disaster that affects way too many people.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add something that might be helpful for your preparation. As someone who's dealt with multiple TWC hearings, I've learned that timing documentation is absolutely critical in these procedural challenges. Make sure you have screenshots or printouts of your TWC online account showing exactly when your initial determination was made and when you first started receiving benefits. Sometimes employers will try to claim the timeline was different than what you remember, so having that digital evidence from TWC's own system is invaluable. Also, consider calling TWC before your Thursday hearing to specifically ask them to confirm in writing (via email or mail) the dates when your employer was first contacted about your claim and when they were required to respond. Having an official TWC confirmation of these dates eliminates any ambiguity about whether the 14-day deadline was actually missed. One more tactical tip - if your employer shows up to the hearing with a lawyer (which sometimes happens in these late appeal cases), don't let that intimidate you. The procedural violation is the procedural violation regardless of who's representing them. The 14-day rule applies equally to everyone, and no amount of legal representation can change the basic timeline facts. You've gotten excellent advice throughout this thread. The combination of the clear deadline violation, solid documentation of your layoff, and the obvious pattern of ignoring deadlines until financial consequences hit makes this a very strong case. Best of luck on Thursday!

I've been dealing with TWC issues for several years and wanted to add one more crucial point that could really strengthen your case. Beyond the 14-day rule violation, you should also consider requesting a complete timeline of ALL communications TWC sent to your employer during the initial claim period. Often what happens is that employers receive multiple notices - the initial claim notice, follow-up requests for information, and sometimes even phone call attempts - all of which they ignore. Getting documentation of ALL these ignored contacts shows a pattern of willful non-participation rather than just missing a single deadline. This is particularly important because TWC has specific procedures for "non-responsive employers" that kick in when someone repeatedly ignores their requests. If your employer fell into this category (which it sounds like they did), there may be additional regulations that specifically bar them from filing late appeals. I'd suggest specifically asking the hearing officer to review your employer's "participation history" during the initial claim period. The contrast between your full cooperation and their complete radio silence for 2+ months makes their sudden interest when facing financial consequences look even more opportunistic. You're already in a great position with the 14-day rule violation, but having this additional documentation of their total non-participation could make your case absolutely airtight. Don't let them claim they only missed one deadline - they ignored the entire process until it cost them money!

Hey Giovanni! I completely understand that anxiety you're feeling - I remember staring at my screen in disbelief when I saw my first $0 disbursement too! 😰 Since you filed just last week, you're definitely in the normal processing window. Here's what I'd focus on right now: **Check these specific things in your TWC account:** - "Issues Delaying Payment" section (if it exists) - "Monetary Determination" status - Any correspondence in your inbox that might explain the $0 **Keep doing these things religiously:** - Certify every two weeks (even with $0 - this is super important!) - Log your work search activities - Check your account daily for updates **Timeline reality check:** Most new claims take 2-4 weeks for initial processing. I know it feels like forever when you're waiting, but you're still well within normal timeframes. The good news is that if/when your claim gets approved, you'll get backpay for all those certified weeks (minus the waiting week). So those $0 weeks aren't actually lost money - just delayed money. Try not to stress too much yet - you're doing everything right by staying on top of it and asking questions. The waiting is the hardest part, but most claims do work out eventually. Keep us posted on any updates! 🤞

Hey Giovanni! I totally get that panic when you see $0 - I literally called my friend crying when it happened to me! 😅 Since you just filed last week, you're definitely still in the normal processing timeframe. Here's what helped me stay sane during the waiting period: **Quick wins you can do today:** - Check your "Claim Status" page for any pending determinations - Make sure your direct deposit info is correct (if you set that up) - Screenshot your current claim summary for your records **The waiting week reality:** Even when everything goes smoothly, you won't get paid for your first eligible week anyway - it's called the "waiting week" and it's just how the system works. **What kept me going:** I reminded myself that thousands of people go through this exact same process every week, and the vast majority eventually get their benefits sorted out. The system is slow and clunky, but it does work. The hardest part is the uncertainty and not knowing what's happening behind the scenes. But you're being super proactive by asking questions and staying on top of everything - that's going to serve you well! Keep certifying every two weeks no matter what, and try to be patient with the process (easier said than done, I know!). You've got this! 💪