I went through something very similar last year and it's infuriating how employers try to manipulate the system like this! The fact that HR confirmed you were terminated but TWC still denied your claim shows they're only getting one side of the story from your employer. Here's what worked for me: I gathered every piece of evidence I could find - my original notice email with the date, any texts or emails from when I was fired, and most importantly, I got HR to send me an official letter stating I was terminated before my notice period ended. During my appeal hearing, I made it super clear that I never actually quit - my employer made the decision to end my employment early. The hearing officer asked my former employer why they would terminate someone for safety violations if that person had already quit, and they couldn't give a coherent answer. One thing that really helped was keeping a detailed log of everything - dates, conversations, who said what. TWC hearing officers deal with these cases all the time and they can usually spot when an employer is being dishonest about the circumstances. You're absolutely doing the right thing by appealing. Don't let them get away with this manipulation - you were fired, plain and simple, and you deserve your unemployment benefits!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My employer also terminated me after I gave notice and then tried to claim I quit voluntarily. Reading everyone's experiences gives me so much hope. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - when I was gathering documentation, I found out that my company's employee handbook actually states that giving two weeks notice doesn't guarantee you'll be allowed to work those two weeks. It says management reserves the right to make termination "effective immediately" for business reasons. I'm including this in my appeal because it shows their own policy treats immediate termination after notice as a firing, not a resignation. Has anyone else found their employee handbook useful as evidence? It seems like when companies put these policies in writing, it actually works against their unemployment claims because it proves they view it as termination rather than voluntary separation. Also wanted to say thank you to everyone sharing their success stories - it really helps when you're feeling overwhelmed by the whole process!

That's awesome that you got approved so quickly! Just a heads up - I got approved on a Friday and my first payment hit my direct deposit account the following Tuesday morning, so it really is pretty fast once you're in the system. One thing I wish someone had told me: even though you set up direct deposit, sometimes the first payment can still take an extra day or two to process compared to later payments. Don't stress if it doesn't hit exactly when you expect it. Also, definitely keep doing those work searches even after you start getting paid - I know someone who got audited 6 months later and had to provide all their documentation. You sound super organized though, so I'm sure you'll be fine!

So glad to hear you got approved! That's a huge relief. Just wanted to share my recent experience - I got approved two weeks ago and here's what actually happened with timing: My direct deposit hit exactly 3 business days after approval (Tuesday approval, Friday payment). The expedited ReliaCard arrived in 3 business days too, which was faster than expected. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through the TWC website so I got notifications when payments were processed. Also, make sure you have the ReliaCard app ready to go once your card arrives - you can check balances and even transfer money to your bank account from there. The whole process is stressful but you're through the hardest part now!

I'm sorry you're going through this - it's really tough being stuck between staying healthy and paying bills. One thing you might want to check is whether your state has any emergency assistance programs through HHSC (Health and Human Services). They sometimes have one-time emergency funds for situations like this. Also, some food banks and community organizations have utility assistance programs that could help stretch your savings while you recover. It's not unemployment, but every little bit helps when you're missing two weeks of pay. Hope you feel better soon!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - just got over COVID myself last week. One thing that helped me was reaching out to 211 (you can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org). They have a database of local resources including emergency financial assistance, utility help, and food programs. Some churches and nonprofits in Texas also have hardship funds specifically for people who miss work due to illness. It's worth making a few calls while you're recovering. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to get documentation from your doctor about your isolation period - some employers are more understanding when they see official medical documentation, and it might help if you need to apply for any local assistance programs. Hang in there!

UPDATE: Thank you all for the advice! I ended up using Claimyr to get through to TWC this morning (worked like a charm), and the agent confirmed there was a mistake in my file. Apparently my employer coded my separation incorrectly, making it look like I was receiving ongoing payments. The agent documented everything and said they'd be sending a new determination letter within 10 business days. She also suggested I contact my former employer's HR to ask them to submit a correction, which I did right after the call. I'll keep updating my payment requests and hopefully this will all be sorted soon. For anyone else facing similar issues - document EVERYTHING and be persistent!

This is such a frustrating situation but you're definitely not alone! I went through something similar last year where my employer told TWC I was still employed part-time when I had actually been completely laid off. A few things that helped me: 1. Keep detailed records of EVERY interaction - dates, times, names if you get them, reference numbers, etc. This becomes crucial if you need to escalate. 2. The appeal route mentioned by others is really effective. Even without an official determination letter, you can submit documentation contradicting your employer's claims through the portal. 3. Don't give up on the callbacks - I know it's maddening but sometimes they do come through. I waited 5 weeks for mine but it finally happened. 4. If you're comfortable doing so, definitely reach out to your former employer's HR. In many cases it's just a clerical error on their end and they can submit a correction quickly. Stay persistent and keep filing those payment requests! Once this gets resolved you should receive retroactive payments for all the weeks you were eligible. Sending you good vibes that this gets sorted out soon! 🤞

Great news! Glad you were able to confirm they have everything they need. Now you can at least have some peace of mind while waiting for the next step. Keep us posted on how your hearing goes!

That's such a relief that you got through and confirmed everything is on track! The waiting is definitely the hardest part. I'm dealing with a similar misconduct claim right now (employer said I was "insubordinate" when I questioned unsafe working conditions) and I'm about 2 weeks into my appeal wait. Reading everyone's experiences here has been really helpful - especially knowing to keep doing the payment requests even while waiting. Good luck with your hearing when it comes up!