Just want to add another potential solution for anyone still having this issue - if you're using a custom domain email (like yourname@yourbusiness.com), that might be part of the problem too. I had the same issue with ID.me emails not coming through on my business email, but they worked fine when I switched to a mainstream provider like Gmail or Yahoo. Something about how ID.me's email system interacts with smaller mail servers seems to cause delivery problems. If you absolutely need to use your custom domain email, try reaching out to your email hosting provider - sometimes they can whitelist specific sending domains on their end. But honestly, the path of least resistance is just using Gmail or Yahoo for government stuff like this. Frustrating that we have to jump through these hoops, but at least there are workarounds!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar ID.me issue right now where I can't get verification emails for my unemployment account. I've been trying for days with no luck. Based on what everyone's shared here, I'm going to try the early morning approach first (setting my alarm for 5am tomorrow), and if that doesn't work, I'll add those ID.me email addresses to my safe senders list since I'm also using Outlook. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to become IT troubleshooters just to access our own benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these workarounds. Will definitely report back if any of these solutions work for me. Thanks everyone for the detailed suggestions!

Has anyone actually used that Claimyr service mentioned above? I've been trying to get someone at TWC on the phone for days and I'm desperate, but wondering if it's legit before I try it.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and won my appeal! The key thing that helped me was being able to show a pattern of consistent communication with TWC - I had screenshots of all my weekly certifications and income reporting going back months. Even though I missed that one paystub deadline, I could prove I was actively engaged with the system and reporting everything accurately. One thing I wish someone had told me - bring a notepad to jot down the hearing officer's name and any reference numbers they mention. It helps if you need to follow up later. Also, they'll ask you to explain in your own words what happened, so practice a clear, concise explanation beforehand. Don't ramble or get defensive, just stick to the facts. The good news is that most people in similar situations do win their appeals if they have the documentation ready and can show they were acting in good faith. TWC recognizes that their notification system isn't perfect. You've got this!

I'm currently in week 21 of my claim and have been absolutely dreading this exact situation! This thread has been such a lifesaver - I was starting to panic thinking I might lose out on that waiting week payment when my benefits run out in a few weeks. The TWC website is so unclear about what happens when you exhaust benefits versus returning to work. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much confidence that the process is actually straightforward. It's reassuring to know that multiple people have successfully received their waiting week payments just by submitting the regular payment request when exhausting benefits. The 5-7 business day processing timeline that everyone consistently mentions is really helpful to know too - I would have been checking my account obsessively after 2-3 days otherwise! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences. This community is so much more helpful than trying to decipher the confusing official TWC information alone. I feel so much more prepared now knowing exactly what to expect when I reach that final payment request!

I'm in week 19 of my claim and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been losing sleep over this exact waiting week question for weeks now, checking the TWC website over and over hoping to find clear answers that just aren't there. Reading through everyone's real experiences has finally given me the peace of mind I desperately needed. It's so reassuring to see that multiple people have successfully received their waiting week payments simply by submitting their regular payment request when exhausting benefits - no special forms, no extra steps, just the same process we've been doing all along. The consistent 5-7 business day processing timeline that everyone mentions is incredibly helpful information too. I was already mentally preparing to panic if it didn't show up in the usual 2-3 days! This community is honestly a lifeline - the official TWC resources leave so many questions unanswered, especially for these specific situations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your experiences, particularly those who recently went through this process. I feel so much more confident now about what to expect when I reach my final payment request in about 7 weeks. It's such a relief to know that waiting week money will be there to help bridge the gap while continuing the job search!

Welcome to the community! I can see you're dealing with a really tough situation, but the good news is that you absolutely qualify for partial unemployment with only 6 hours per week. That's well below any threshold TWC would consider adequate employment. A few quick tips based on what I've seen work for others: 1. When you apply, make sure to select "still employed but hours reduced" - not laid off or terminated 2. Keep detailed records of every paycheck and work schedule going forward 3. You'll still need to do work search activities (3 per week), but things like updating your resume, applying to jobs online, or networking all count The fact that you went through the full unemployment process in 2020 actually works in your favor - you already know how TWC operates and what to expect. This time it's just partial benefits instead of full benefits. Your manager being understanding is going to make this process so much smoother. Many employers actually prefer when employees file for partial unemployment during slow periods because it helps them retain trained staff without the full payroll burden. Don't feel guilty about applying - you've been paying into this system, and this is exactly what it's designed for. With $94 paychecks, you're definitely not making enough to live on. File as soon as possible since you can't get retroactive benefits for weeks you waited to apply. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience will help others in similar situations!

Hey StarSurfer! I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because I'm in almost the exact same boat - my retail hours got slashed from 30 hours down to just 9 hours per week about a month ago. Reading through this entire thread has been so incredibly helpful and encouraging! It sounds like you're handling this situation really well. The fact that you already applied and that your manager was understanding about it puts you in such a good position. I've been hesitating to apply myself, but seeing how supportive everyone here has been and reading all the practical advice has finally given me the push I needed. A few things that really stood out to me from everyone's responses: - You definitely qualify with only 6 hours per week (way below any threshold) - Documentation is key - keeping records of everything - The work search requirements are manageable - Having a supportive employer makes the process much smoother I'm curious how your initial determination process is going? I know you mentioned applying recently, so you might still be waiting to hear back. Your timeline and experience will be so valuable for others of us who are just starting this process. Thanks for being so open about your situation - it's helped me (and clearly many others) realize we're not alone in dealing with these drastically reduced hours. The restaurant industry has been hit really hard, and it sounds like retail is facing similar challenges. Hoping things work out well for you!

I've been dealing with this exact same error since Monday! Getting that "Unable to process your request" message every single time I try to submit my payment request. This thread has been so helpful - I was starting to think my claim had been suspended or something. Based on everyone's success stories, I'm definitely going to try the 5:30 AM approach tomorrow morning. I'll also clear all my browser data and try incognito mode like others suggested. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become IT troubleshooters just to access our own unemployment benefits! The stress is unreal when you have bills due and can't get through their system. Really appreciate everyone sharing their workarounds - this community support is better than anything TWC provides. Has anyone tried calling the Tele-Serv line during peak hours vs early morning? Wondering if phone system timing matters as much as the website timing.

I'm having this exact same issue! Been getting that "Unable to process your request" error since yesterday and was starting to panic that something was wrong with my claim. This thread has been incredibly reassuring - knowing it's a widespread technical problem makes me feel so much better. Based on all the success stories here, I'm definitely going to try the 5 AM approach tomorrow morning since it's worked for so many people. I'll also clear all my browser data and try incognito mode first like others suggested. It's honestly crazy that we have to become tech support specialists just to get our unemployment payments! The vague error messages from TWC don't help at all - they really should give more specific information about what's actually causing the problem. Thank you everyone for sharing your solutions and experiences - this community support is a lifesaver when you're stressed about getting payments on time. Fingers crossed one of these workarounds gets us all sorted out soon!