I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - denied for "misconduct" (complete nonsense) and have been waiting 3 months for my appeal hearing. Reading through all these comments is both helpful and terrifying! I DID continue requesting payments because my friend warned me about this, but I had no idea it was such a common trap that TWC doesn't explain properly. For anyone else reading this - PLEASE learn from Ethan's situation. The moment you file an appeal, keep requesting payments every two weeks no matter what. The system is already stacked against us, don't give them another reason to deny you money you're legally entitled to. @Ethan - definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you can't get through the regular way. Also, when you do talk to TWC, be polite but persistent. Sometimes the first agent will say nothing can be done, but if you call back and get a different person, they might be more helpful. Good luck with your appeal!

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work as a paralegal at a firm that handles employment law, and we see TWC cases like this ALL the time. The requirement to continue requesting payments during appeals is one of the most poorly communicated aspects of the entire system, and it catches SO many people off guard. A few additional tips for everyone dealing with this: 1. If you do get through to TWC about backdated requests, ask to speak with a supervisor if the first agent says it's impossible. Different agents have different levels of authority and knowledge. 2. Document EVERYTHING - dates/times of calls, agent names if they give them, reference numbers, what was discussed. This creates a paper trail if you need to escalate. 3. Consider contacting your state representative's office if TWC won't work with you on the backdated requests. They often have direct contacts at TWC and can help cut through bureaucratic roadblocks. The whole system really is designed to discourage people from pursuing what they're entitled to. Don't let them wear you down - you have rights, and if you were wrongfully terminated, you deserve those benefits for every eligible week.

Just went through this in February when my benefits ran out. Here's my experience - after my final payment request, I tried using the online portal to request the waiting week but there was no option for it. I called the TWC number for FOUR DAYS straight and couldn't get through - constant busy signals or disconnects. Finally used Claimyr.com which got me connected to a TWC agent in about 2 hours. The agent processed my waiting week payment request and I received the money (just one week's worth, so $377 in your case) about 3 days later. Totally worth it rather than spending days trying to get through on my own.

THE TWC SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PEOPLE MISS OUT ON BENEFITS!!!! They don't tell you clearly about the waiting week payment process because they hope you'll forget about it! Then they keep YOUR MONEY that you're entitled to! I missed out on my waiting week because nobody told me I had to specifically request it after benefits exhaustion. CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY after your final payment!!!!

I'm a benefits specialist and this situation is unfortunately more common than it should be. Based on what you've described, there are actually two separate issues at play: 1. **The benefit year continuation**: Since you filed in January 2024, you're still within that same 52-week benefit year until January 2025. Any new unemployment during this period continues the existing claim rather than starting fresh. 2. **The "exhausted" status after only 2 payments**: This is the red flag. If your Maximum Benefit Amount was $4,225 and you only used $2,600 previously, you should have remaining benefits available. The fact that it shows exhausted after just two payments suggests either a system error or there's an unreported issue (like an overpayment, disqualification, or wage dispute). My advice: Focus on getting through to TWC to resolve the "exhausted" issue first. Use the callback services others mentioned, or try calling right when they open at 8 AM. Once you get through, ask them to: - Review your payment history and explain any deductions - Verify your remaining benefit balance - Check if there are any holds or issues on your account Even though you can't get the higher wage calculation until your benefit year ends, you should still be able to access your remaining benefits from the original claim if the math is correct.

I went through something very similar last year and it's incredibly frustrating! The key thing that helped me was understanding that TWC literally cannot change your benefit calculation mid-year - it's locked in when your benefit year starts. BUT the "exhausted" message after only 2 payments when you should have remaining benefits is definitely suspicious. I had a similar glitch where TWC's system incorrectly applied an old overpayment to my new payments, making it look like I was exhausted when I wasn't. When you finally get through (and you WILL - keep trying at 8 AM sharp), ask them to pull up your "monetary determination" and walk through every single deduction. Sometimes they find employer wage reports were missing or there's a phantom overpayment in the system. Also, start documenting everything now - screenshot your account showing the exhausted status, keep records of your payment requests, and note down any error messages. If there is a system error, having documentation will help them fix it faster. Hang in there - the new claim you can file in January should properly reflect those higher tech wages and give you the benefit amount you actually deserve!

I've been following this thread closely as I'm preparing to start my own backdating process next week. The collective wisdom here is incredible! I'm taking notes on all the strategies mentioned - online portal first, callback service as backup, having all documentation organized, taking screenshots, and keeping detailed interaction logs. My situation involves a delayed start due to caring for an elderly parent during a health crisis, and I have medical records and caregiver documentation to support my case. It's so reassuring to see that people with legitimate reasons and proper documentation are getting approved, even though the process can be lengthy. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly - this thread should honestly be pinned as a resource guide! I'll definitely come back to update once I've made progress with my claim. 💪

I'm just starting my backdating journey and this thread has been a lifesaver! Reading everyone's detailed experiences gives me so much hope that this is actually possible. I love how supportive this community is - from @Omar Zaki's timeline approach to @Paolo Conti's callback service tip to @Kayla Jacobson's online portal success story. I'm going to try the online route first with all my documentation ready (I was hospitalized and couldn't file initially). If that doesn't work, the callback service sounds way better than sitting on hold for hours. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their strategies - you're helping so many people navigate this stressful process! I'll definitely update with my results. 🙏

I've been dealing with Texas unemployment for over a year now due to multiple job transitions, and I've learned a few tricks that might help speed things up. First, if you haven't already, try creating an account on the ReliaCard website (goprogram.com) - sometimes you can see if your card has been issued and get an estimated delivery date even before it arrives. Second, I've had luck calling US Bank's ReliaCard line super early (like 6:30 AM) or late in the evening when call volumes are lower. Finally, here's something most people don't know - if you're facing a true financial emergency (like eviction notice, utility shutoff, etc.), you can actually request an emergency payment voucher through TWC that allows you to pick up a check at certain locations. It's not widely advertised and requires documentation, but it exists for severe hardship cases. You'd need to call TWC and specifically ask about "emergency payment options" - most reps don't know about it unless you use those exact words. Hope this helps and your card arrives soon!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and still waiting for my ReliaCard. What's really frustrating is that I specifically asked about direct deposit when I first filed, but the rep said the card would be faster - clearly that was wrong! I've called US Bank twice and they keep saying "7-10 business days" but it's been way longer than that. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like this is a super common problem. I'm definitely going to try calling early in the morning like some of you suggested, and I'll ask about that "rush request" option too. It's ridiculous that people have to jump through so many hoops just to access their own benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!