I was in the same exact situation about 6 months ago - couldn't log in, payments were stuck, and I was getting zero communication from TWC about what was wrong. After reading through all these responses, I can confirm that the early morning calling strategy really works! I called at 7:58am (2 minutes before they officially opened) and got through in about 45 minutes instead of the usual 2-3 hour wait. Turns out my account had been flagged for "unusual activity" because I had logged in from a coffee shop's WiFi, and they needed me to verify my identity over the phone. The rep was able to unlock my account and release my held payments all in one call. My advice: call early, have all your documents ready (ID, SS card, recent pay stubs), and be patient but persistent. Also, that technical support number someone mentioned (800-558-8321) is legit - I wish I had known about it sooner! Don't lose hope, this can definitely be fixed once you get the right person on the phone.

I went through this exact same nightmare last month and it was so stressful! What finally worked for me was calling the TWC customer service line first thing in the morning (around 8:15am) and staying on hold for about 2 hours - I know it sucks but it was worth it. When I finally got through, the representative told me my account had been automatically flagged because I missed uploading a document by like ONE DAY past the deadline. She was able to unlock everything immediately and process my pending payments right there on the call. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and any recent correspondence from TWC ready when you call. Also try logging in from a different browser or device first - sometimes it's just a weird technical glitch. The whole system is honestly broken but the people on the phone can usually help once you actually reach them. Hang in there and don't give up! 💪

This is such a common issue! I went through the exact same thing a few months ago and it's incredibly frustrating when you're depending on those benefits. The early morning calling strategy definitely works best - I had success around 7:15 AM after trying for days at other times. One thing that helped me was having all my information ready before calling (SSN, claim number, etc.) so I could get through the verification quickly once connected. Also, if you get disconnected, don't give up! Sometimes it takes 3-4 attempts even in the morning. The agents are usually pretty helpful once you actually reach them. Hang in there!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm currently dealing with the same locked account issue and was starting to panic about missing my payment requests. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially Sofia's successful resolution, gives me hope. I've been trying to call for three days now with no luck, but I haven't tried the early morning strategy yet. Going to set my alarm for 6:45 AM tomorrow and try calling right at 7:00. It's really frustrating that the forms take so long when people are depending on these benefits to pay rent and buy groceries. Thanks to everyone who shared their tips - this community is honestly more helpful than TWC's official help resources!

Thanks everyone for the responses! Sounds like I definitely need to file a new claim if I get laid off. Really helpful to know about the base period calculation too - makes me a bit nervous since I was making more in 2021 than I am now, so my benefit might be lower. Anyone know if there's a waiting period between filing and getting your first payment? I should probably start saving more just in case.

Just went through this exact situation last year! Had around $2,800 showing from my 2020 claim and got all hopeful when I was laid off in February 2024. Nope - had to start completely fresh. One thing I learned though is to check what your base period wages will be BEFORE you file. You can actually calculate it yourself using your pay stubs from the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. In my case, I waited an extra month to file because it bumped me into a new quarter that included higher wages, which increased my weekly benefit amount by about $80. Also pro tip - file your claim on Sunday if possible. I read somewhere that their system processes weekend claims first thing Monday morning, so you might get processed slightly faster than if you file mid-week when they're swamped.

I went through something very similar last year! TWC flagged me for a $3,800 overpayment because I missed their ID verification request after I had already returned to work. The key thing that helped me was being able to show I was legitimately unemployed during my claim period and that I properly stopped requesting payments when I found work. I completed the ID.me verification late (like you did) and brought all my original documentation to the hearing - separation notice, job offer letter showing my return to work date, and screenshots proving I stopped claiming benefits appropriately. The hearing officer completely reversed the overpayment. It sounds like you have a strong case since you were legitimately eligible and just missed a procedural step. The fact that the TWC rep you spoke to was encouraging is a really good sign too!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! TWC flagged me for a $4,200 overpayment from early 2023 because I missed their ID verification request. Like you, I had already found a new job and wasn't checking my TWC account anymore. I just completed the ID.me verification last week and filed my appeal. Reading through all these responses is giving me so much hope - it sounds like most people who were legitimately eligible get their overpayments reversed as long as they can prove they met all the requirements during their claim period. I have my hearing scheduled for next month and I'm gathering all my documentation now. Thanks for posting about this - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who went through this! Please keep us updated on how your hearing goes on May 16th. Fingers crossed for both of us!

I've been through a TWC appeal hearing and wanted to share something that really helped me stay organized during the call - create a simple document outline with headers like "Timeline of Schedule Changes," "Childcare Impact," "Attempts to Resolve," and "Resignation Documentation." Under each header, list your key points with dates. This way you can quickly find the right information when the hearing officer asks specific questions. Also, since your employer is claiming misconduct but you actually resigned, be prepared for them to potentially mischaracterize what happened. I've seen employers try to muddy the waters by bringing up unrelated issues or claiming the resignation was really a termination. Stay focused on your narrative: you were a good employee who gave proper notice because workplace scheduling made childcare impossible. One practical tip - have a glass of water and some throat lozenges nearby. These hearings can go longer than expected and you don't want your voice giving out halfway through. The hearing officer needs to hear you clearly to understand your side. You're going to do great! The fact that you have documentation of your resignation and legitimate childcare reasons gives you a solid foundation. Looking forward to your update on Tuesday - rooting for you!

I just wanted to jump in and add something that really helped me during my TWC appeal hearing last year - make sure you have a backup plan for the phone call! I had my hearing scheduled and my landline went out that morning due to a storm. Luckily I had tested my cell phone connection beforehand and had a quiet backup location ready. Also, I noticed you mentioned your employer is claiming misconduct even though you resigned. This is actually pretty common - some employers will claim misconduct hoping it sticks, but if you have your resignation email and their acknowledgment, that's solid evidence of voluntary resignation. The hearing officer will see right through their attempt to reframe the situation. One thing that really helped me was writing down 3-4 bullet points about why the schedule changes were unreasonable and how they affected your childcare. For example: "March 15th - notified at 4pm that my shift changed from 9-5 to 2-10 the next day, making it impossible to pick up my child from daycare" - specific dates and impacts like that really resonate with hearing officers. You sound incredibly well-prepared after reading through all this advice! The combination of proper resignation notice + documented childcare conflicts + attempts to resolve the issue first is exactly what TWC looks for in good cause cases. Sending you positive vibes for Tuesday - can't wait to hear your success story!