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I went through something similar last year and it was stressful not knowing what employers might find out! Here's what I discovered after doing some research: Most employers can't access TWC appeal decisions directly - those records are between you and TWC. However, your former employer can still share that you were terminated if asked directly. The good news is that many companies have policies limiting what they'll say to avoid legal issues. A few things that helped me: - I proactively addressed it in interviews by saying I was terminated but successfully appealed and received unemployment benefits, which showed the termination wasn't for misconduct - I lined up strong references from former colleagues who could speak to my work quality - I researched each company's reference checking practices beforehand The TWC appeal victory definitely helps your case if the topic comes up because it shows an independent agency reviewed the facts and sided with you. Don't let this discourage you from applying - focus on highlighting your skills and experience!
This is really encouraging to hear from someone who went through the same thing! I like your approach of being proactive about addressing it in interviews rather than hoping it doesn't come up. That makes a lot of sense - if I frame it as "I was terminated but TWC reviewed all the evidence and determined it wasn't for misconduct" it actually makes me look better than just hoping they never find out. Thanks for sharing your experience, it's given me more confidence about moving forward with job applications!
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got wrongfully terminated 2 months ago and still waiting on my appeal decision. Reading through all these responses is really helpful! It sounds like the key takeaway is that winning the TWC appeal proves you weren't fired for misconduct, which is the main thing employers care about. Even if your old employer can still say you were terminated, having that TWC determination in your back pocket shows you have evidence on your side. I'm definitely going to save this thread for reference when I start job hunting again. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this situation!
you should talk to a lawyer some do free consultations for unemployment stuff. this is a lot of money were talking about!
This is good advice. Legal Aid organizations in Texas often provide free assistance with unemployment appeals, especially in cases involving procedural errors like not being notified of a hearing. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Lone Star Legal Aid both help with unemployment issues. You don't necessarily need to hire a private attorney for this type of appeal.
I went through something similar two years ago - the key is acting fast but also being thorough with your documentation. Since you mentioned you worked in hospitality and there were company-wide layoffs, make sure to gather any emails, texts, or documents that reference the "restructuring" and "economic conditions" your employer mentioned. Even internal company announcements about financial difficulties could help your case. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline of events - when you were laid off, when you filed for benefits, when you received approval, etc. This shows you were acting in good faith throughout the process. Also document every step you take now (screenshots of your appeal submission, phone call logs if you contact TWC, etc.). The appeals hearing will likely be by phone, so when you do get your new hearing scheduled, make sure you have a quiet space and all your documents organized. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights and the fact that you weren't notified is a serious procedural violation. Stay strong!
This is such great advice, thank you! I never thought about creating a timeline but that makes perfect sense. I actually do have some emails from management about the company's financial struggles and the restructuring plan. I'll gather all of that along with my termination paperwork. The phone hearing format is good to know too - I was wondering how that would work. It's reassuring to hear from someone who successfully fought a similar situation!
I'm going through the exact same thing - filed 4 weeks ago and still stuck on "under review" with no communication from TWC. Reading through these comments, it sounds like the key is actually getting through to an agent to find out what specific issue is holding up the claim. I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning and ask specifically about pending issues like Omar suggested. Also might look into that Claimyr service Malik mentioned since I've been getting busy signals every time I call. It's so stressful when you're running out of money and don't know why there's a delay. Thanks everyone for the helpful advice - at least now I know I'm not alone in this situation!
You're definitely not alone! I'm in week 5 now and feeling the same stress. The advice about asking specifically for "pending issues" really caught my attention too. I've been getting disconnected every time I call, so I might also try that Claimyr thing. Let me know how your call goes tomorrow - maybe we can figure this out together. It's crazy how many of us are stuck in the same situation with restaurant/business closures. Hang in there!
I feel your pain - I'm dealing with something similar right now. Been waiting 4 weeks and also down to my last couple hundred dollars. After reading all these responses, it sounds like the most important thing is actually getting through to talk to someone who can tell you what's specifically holding up your claim. The former TWC employee's advice about calling between 1-3pm makes sense, and I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service if I keep getting busy signals. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops when we're already stressed about money, but at least there are some concrete steps we can take. Keep us posted on how it goes - rooting for you!
I'm really sorry you're going through this - the uncertainty is absolutely exhausting. I was in a similar situation last year and what helped me was expanding my search beyond just healthcare admin. Have you considered looking into remote customer service or data entry positions? Many companies are hiring for these roles and your admin background would be valuable. Also, regarding the work search documentation - definitely start logging everything in the TWC system again, even if you're not currently receiving benefits. If you do qualify for a new claim, having that complete record will make the process smoother. I learned this the hard way when I had to reconstruct months of job search activities. One more thing - check if your local community college has any quick certification programs for in-demand fields. Sometimes a 6-week program can open doors while you're still looking for something in your preferred field. Hang in there!
This is such great advice! I actually hadn't thought about remote work seriously - I've been so focused on local positions. Do you have any suggestions for good sites to find legitimate remote customer service jobs? I've seen so many scam postings that I've been hesitant. The community college certification idea is brilliant too. I'm going to look into what programs they offer. At this point I need to be open to pivoting if it means getting back to work. Thank you for the encouragement - some days it feels like I'll never find anything!
Hey Diego, I've been following this thread and wanted to share some resources that might help with remote work since you mentioned being interested in that direction. For legitimate remote customer service positions, I'd recommend checking out: - FlexJobs (paid site but screens out scams) - Indeed with "remote" filter specifically - Working Solutions, LiveWorld, and ModSquad (all reputable companies that hire remote CS reps) - Your state's official job board - they sometimes list remote positions from verified employers For your healthcare admin background, you might also look into remote medical coding or healthcare virtual assistant roles. Companies like AHIMA have job boards specifically for healthcare admin professionals, and many are going remote post-COVID. Since you're dealing with the TWC situation, definitely use Claimyr as others suggested - but also consider reaching out to your local WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) office. They sometimes have training funds available for people in long-term unemployment situations, which could help with those certifications Amara mentioned. Hang in there - 8 months is brutal but you're not alone in this market. The healthcare field really does tend to have more openings in fall/winter as budgets reset.
Olivia Martinez
Glad to hear you got it sorted out! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, here are a few additional tips: 1) If you're switching from ReliaCard to paper checks, make sure to keep your old card until you receive your first paper check - sometimes there can be overlapping payments. 2) You can also check the status of mailed checks through the TWC correspondence section online, which helps track if there are any mail delivery issues. 3) If you ever need to switch back to electronic payments later, you can do that through the same process. The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but once you get connected with a real person at TWC they're usually pretty helpful with walking you through the options.
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Brielle Johnson
•This is really comprehensive advice, thank you! I definitely didn't think about keeping the old ReliaCard until the first check arrives - that's a great point about potential overlapping payments. The correspondence section tip is also super helpful since I can track the check without having to call again. Really appreciate everyone in this community taking the time to help out newcomers like me who are figuring out this whole system!
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Sean Flanagan
Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be dealing with ReliaCard issues - I was in a similar situation last year when my card got damaged and I couldn't get to a branch. What worked for me was calling the ReliaCard customer service number directly (not TWC) and explaining my situation. They were able to expedite a replacement card to my address within 3-4 business days, which was faster than switching to paper checks. That said, if you're having broader issues with the card system or don't have proper ID like Malik mentioned, paper checks are definitely the way to go. The key is being persistent with those phone calls - I know it's frustrating but eventually you'll get through to someone who can help!
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Sophia Russo
•That's a really good point about trying ReliaCard customer service directly first! I wish I had known about that option earlier - it might have saved me some time and stress. For my situation though, since I don't have any ID right now, the paper check route was really my only option. But for anyone else reading this who has their ID and just needs a replacement card, calling ReliaCard directly sounds like it could be much faster than going through the whole TWC system. Thanks for sharing that tip!
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