I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been such a lifeline! My TWC benefits just expired last week and I was honestly in full panic mode until I found this discussion. I'm a surgical technologist and have been job searching for months with very few callbacks despite having good experience. Reading through everyone's stories has given me so much hope - I had absolutely no idea that part-time work during your benefit year could qualify you for a new claim! I worked about 7 weeks covering maternity leave at an outpatient surgery center during my benefit year, so based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to file a new application today. For other surgical techs out there, don't overlook ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) - they're expanding rapidly and often have faster hiring processes than hospitals. Also check with plastic surgery offices, ophthalmology practices, and pain management clinics. Many are adding procedures and need experienced scrub techs. I'm also going to apply for SNAP benefits while waiting for my new claim to process. This whole situation is so stressful, but knowing there are concrete steps I can take instead of just worrying makes all the difference. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support during such a difficult time has been incredible. We're definitely all going to get through this together!

I'm going through this exact same situation! My benefits just expired on Monday and I've been stressed out of my mind trying to figure out what comes next. I'm a registered nurse and despite having 8 years of experience, the job market feels incredibly competitive right now. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea that working during your benefit year could qualify you for a new claim! I picked up about 12 weeks of PRN shifts at a local hospital during my benefit year, so it sounds like I should definitely file a new application based on everyone's advice here. For fellow nurses, I wanted to add that telehealth companies are really expanding right now. Companies like Talkspace, BetterHelp (for their medical consultations), and various insurance companies are hiring nurses for remote triage and case management roles. The work is different from bedside nursing but it's a good way to stay in healthcare while searching for your ideal position. Also, don't forget about correctional facilities, occupational health clinics, and employee wellness centers - they often need experienced nurses and sometimes have faster hiring processes than traditional hospitals. Filing my new claim today and also applying for SNAP benefits. This thread has shown me there are way more options than I thought when benefits expire. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - knowing we're all navigating this together makes such a difference during this stressful time!

Glad to hear you got a positive response from HR! That formal email approach really works. Just want to add one more thing based on my experience - even though they're offering benefits next month, I'd recommend getting the exact effective date and coverage details in writing before you make your final decision. Sometimes "next month" can turn into "sometime next month" or "pending approval processes." Also, if you do decide to stay, consider this a lesson learned about this employer's communication style. You might want to start building a backup plan (updating your resume, networking, etc.) just in case other promises don't pan out. Trust is hard to rebuild once it's broken, especially when it comes to something as important as health benefits. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Great update! I'm really glad that formal approach worked for you. This is actually a perfect example of why documentation and professional communication can be so effective - sometimes companies genuinely don't realize there's been a breakdown in communication between departments. That said, I'd echo what others have mentioned about getting the specifics in writing. When you do follow up with HR, you might also want to ask about retroactive coverage or reimbursement for any medical expenses you've incurred during this delay, especially since you mentioned having ongoing health issues. Some companies will work with you on that if they acknowledge their error. Whether you stay or go, you've handled this really professionally and now have a solid paper trail. If you do decide to move on to a company that's more reliable with their promises, you'll be in a much stronger position having tried to resolve this first. Keep us posted on how it all works out!

I'm dealing with an almost identical situation and this thread has been such a lifesaver! 2.5 years with my company, consistently good quarterly reviews, then a new VP comes in and within 5 weeks I'm suddenly "underperforming" and placed on a PIP. The whole thing felt like a setup from the beginning. What really struck me from reading everyone's experiences is how the SHORT timeline of your PIP (only 3 weeks!) is actually one of your biggest advantages. Multiple people here have mentioned that TWC hearing officers specifically look for this - it's almost impossible to argue that 3 weeks is enough time for genuine performance improvement, especially after 3 years of solid work history. The advice about gathering ALL your positive documentation is spot on. I went through my old emails and found client testimonials and project praise that I'd completely forgotten about. The contrast between those positive communications and the sudden "performance problems" is really compelling evidence. One thing I'd add - if you have any metrics or data showing you were meeting your targets right up until the PIP started, definitely include those. Numbers are hard to argue with and they really help demonstrate that this was about management preference, not actual performance issues. Your case sounds incredibly strong based on what you've described. The pattern of good performance → new manager → sudden problems → quick termination is exactly what the former hearing officer said they look for as "constructive dismissal." Don't lose hope - you've got this! Keep filing those payment requests and gathering your documentation. This community has shown that these appeals really do work when you have the right evidence!

I'm so sorry you're going through this, but honestly after reading through all these responses, your case sounds incredibly strong! The pattern you're describing - 3 years of clean performance, new manager arrives, sudden PIP out of nowhere, terminated after only 3 weeks - is textbook retaliation that TWC sees all the time. A few key points that really work in your favor: - Your 3-year clean record with ZERO disciplinary actions is huge - The 3-week PIP timeline is actually better for your case than a longer one - it's so short it's obviously not a genuine improvement plan - The correlation between new manager arrival and sudden "problems" is exactly what hearing officers look for I went through something similar last year (2+ years good performance, new supervisor, sudden termination) and won my appeal. What really helped was focusing on the INCONSISTENCY - how can someone go from "meeting expectations" to "needs improvement" overnight without any changes in their actual work? Start gathering every piece of positive documentation now: quarterly reviews, any praise emails, client feedback, project successes. The stark contrast between your historical performance and these sudden "issues" will be very compelling evidence. Don't panic until you actually get a determination letter - some companies threaten to contest but never follow through. And remember to keep filing those payment requests every two weeks no matter what happens! You've got a really solid case here.

I'm also dealing with this exact situation right now and it's incredibly validating to see so many others experiencing the same employer harassment tactics! My former employer missed the initial 14-day deadline, then filed an appeal 3 weeks later, didn't show up to that hearing, and now somehow they've been granted a Commission Appeal too. What really gets me is how TWC agents always emphasize that claimants must meet every deadline perfectly or face immediate consequences, but employers seem to get infinite second chances no matter how many times they fail to comply with basic procedural requirements. It's such an obvious double standard. Reading through everyone's experiences here, especially those who successfully defended their cases even when employers brought lawyers, has given me so much confidence. The timeline documentation strategy seems crucial - I've been building mine out with every missed deadline and it's pretty damning how many opportunities they've been given despite their pattern of non-compliance. To Fernanda and everyone else facing these vindictive appeals: we absolutely cannot let these employers win through pure harassment and intimidation. We collected benefits in good faith based on official TWC determinations, and we have every right to defend those decisions. Don't let them exhaust you into giving up - that's exactly what they're counting on!

I'm also going through this nightmare right now and it's so frustrating to see how the system is rigged in favor of employers! My former boss missed the initial deadline, didn't show up to the first appeal hearing, and now somehow TWC has granted him yet another appeal at the Commission level. It's absolutely maddening. What really bothers me is that TWC always tells us claimants that deadlines are strict and missing them has consequences, but employers seem to get unlimited chances no matter how many times they fail to follow basic procedures. I've been on hold for hours trying to get answers from TWC about why this keeps happening. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both validating and helpful. I'm definitely going to create that timeline document showing all my employer's missed deadlines and procedural failures. It sounds like being prepared with documentation is key to winning these Commission Appeals, even when employers show up with lawyers. To the original poster - you absolutely need to show up Tuesday! Don't let this petty employer win by default after putting you through all this harassment. You were legitimately entitled to those benefits and have already won twice. The vindictive nature of continuing to appeal after benefits are exhausted shows this is purely about trying to force you to repay money you rightfully earned. Stay strong and don't let them wear you down - that's exactly what they're counting on. We need to fight back against these intimidation tactics!

This thread has become such an incredible resource for anyone dealing with TWC delays! Reading through all these experiences, it's clear that out-of-state work history is one of the biggest causes of processing delays that TWC doesn't adequately warn people about upfront. The pattern is so consistent - almost everyone who's waited 4+ weeks has interstate wage verification issues. I love how this community has turned what started as Omar's frustrated question into a comprehensive guide with actionable solutions. The key takeaways seem to be: 1) Call the wage verification line (512-463-2824) at 8 AM sharp, 2) Submit written inquiries through the TWC website for documentation, 3) Use services like Claimyr if you can't get through on your own, and 4) Always keep doing payment requests and document everything. It's amazing to see Omar's success story and how people like Zainab, Diego, and Destiny have shared such detailed advice. For anyone new to this thread - don't lose hope! The delays are frustrating but people ARE getting their claims resolved and receiving all their backpay.

This thread is absolutely incredible - it's like a masterclass in navigating TWC delays! I'm currently on week 2 of waiting for my claim to be processed, and after reading through everyone's experiences, I'm pretty sure I know what the issue is. I also worked out of state (had a contract position in Louisiana for about 3 months last year), which based on all the patterns here is almost certainly causing my delay. What's really striking is how consistent the out-of-state wage verification issue is across so many cases - TWC really should make this information available upfront instead of leaving people in the dark for weeks! I'm definitely going to follow the proven strategy that's emerged from this thread: calling that wage verification line (512-463-2824) right at 8 AM tomorrow, submitting a written inquiry through the TWC website, and keeping Claimyr as a backup option if needed. Omar's success story and all the detailed advice from people like Diego, Zainab, and Destiny gives me so much hope. Thank you to everyone who took the time to not just share their frustrations but actually follow up with what worked - this community-driven troubleshooting is exactly what people need when dealing with such an opaque system!