Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through this exact situation with Walmart in 2023. I was cut from 32 hours to 10 hours and successfully got partial unemployment benefits. A few additional tips: 1. Apply ASAP - there's a waiting week in Texas, so the sooner you file, the sooner benefits start 2. Keep detailed records of your schedule changes and any requests for more hours 3. Don't let Walmart intimidate you - they cut hours all the time and know employees file for partial unemployment 4. The online application is actually pretty straightforward, much easier than dealing with their broken phone system I ended up getting about $240/week in partial benefits while working my reduced hours. It made a huge difference in covering my bills while I searched for a better job. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to first payment. You've got this - don't let them force you into poverty because of their "business needs"!

I went through this exact situation last year when I was working at a grocery chain. Hours got slashed from 35 to 9 per week and I was panicking about rent. Here's what I learned: 1. Apply immediately online at ui.texasworkforce.org - don't wait or overthink it 2. You absolutely qualify for partial unemployment with a 70% hour reduction 3. When they ask why you're filing, select "reduction in hours" not "quit" or "fired" 4. Be completely honest about your current wages when doing weekly payment requests 5. Keep working those 8 hours - quitting will hurt your case The hardest part was the ID.me verification (took 3 attempts) and waiting for the determination letter. But once approved, I got $285/week in partial benefits which was a lifesaver. TWC understands that employers like Walmart do this to avoid paying benefits or severance. One more thing - start your job search immediately because you'll need to report 3 work search contacts per week. Use indeed.com, company websites, even walking into places counts. Document everything in case they audit you later. Don't let Walmart's "business needs" put you in financial crisis. The system exists for exactly this situation!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Had my TWC appeal hearing just last week after waiting since December, and my employer also completely no-showed. The hearing officer gave me the same spiel about them still having 14 days to appeal, which honestly feels like such a slap in the face when they couldn't even respect the process enough to attend. I've been refreshing my portal probably 20 times a day even though I know it's way too early for updates. Reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me so much hope though - the consistent 5-7 day timeline for portal updates and the fact that most no-show employers don't bother with second appeals is really encouraging. I've kept up with all my payment requests during this whole nightmare, so fingers crossed that backpay comes through soon. This whole TWC system is absolutely broken but at least we have this community to help each other navigate it! Thanks for posting this - it's exactly what I needed to read right now.

I'm in a very similar situation - just had my TWC appeal hearing three days ago after waiting since January, and my employer was also a complete no-show! The hearing officer was really professional but it's so frustrating that they explained how the employer can still file another appeal within 14 days even though they couldn't be bothered to participate in the first one. I've been obsessively checking my portal every few hours since then (I know it's too early but I can't help myself). Reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me so much relief though - the consistent timeline of 5-7 days for portal updates and hearing that most no-show employers don't follow through with second appeals is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been diligently doing my payment requests every two weeks this entire time, so I'm really hoping that backpay comes through when this is all over. It's crazy how broken the TWC system is, but this community has been such a source of comfort and practical advice during this whole nightmare process. Thanks for sharing your story - knowing we're not alone in this makes all the difference!

I'm in almost the exact same boat! Just completed my ID.me verification two days ago after weeks of technical issues and I'm anxiously waiting to see what happens with my backpay. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like most people eventually get their money but the timeline is all over the place. I've already taken screenshots of my payment history like someone suggested, and I'm checking my TWC account obsessively. The uncertainty is killing me because I have rent due next week! Has anyone noticed if there's a pattern to which day of the week these backpayments typically hit? Trying to figure out if there's any rhyme or reason to their processing schedule.

I just went through this exact same process last month! After my ID.me verification finally went through, it took about 5 business days for my account status to update from "held" to "processed" for all those backed up weeks. Then I got all my backpay in one lump sum on my next regular payment date - it was actually a bigger deposit than I expected because I had forgotten exactly how many weeks were on hold. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was logging into the TWC portal and checking the "Payment Request" section daily to watch the status changes. You'll see them flip from "held" to "processed" one by one as their system catches up. Also definitely keep an eye on your correspondence inbox like others mentioned - they send detailed payment breakdowns that show exactly which weeks you're getting paid for. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you have bills due, but from everything I've seen in this group, people do get their money once the ID.me clears. Hang in there! 💪

I've been there and know how scary it feels when benefits run out. One thing that really saved me was reaching out to local food banks early - they often have connections to other resources beyond just food. The North Texas Food Bank network, for example, has case workers who can help connect you to rental assistance and utility programs you might not find online. Also, if you're struggling with the application processes for some of these programs (SNAP, TANF, etc.), many libraries offer free assistance with filling out government forms. The librarians often know about local resources too. Don't be afraid to ask - they've helped tons of people in similar situations. Hang in there. It's a tough spot but there are people and programs out there to help bridge the gap until you find work.

I'm sorry you're going through this - the stress of benefits running out is just overwhelming. One thing that helped me was contacting United Way by dialing 211. They have a database of local resources and can often connect you with emergency assistance programs that aren't well-publicized online. Also, don't overlook faith-based organizations even if you're not religious - many churches, mosques, and synagogues have benevolence funds specifically for situations like yours. The Salvation Army also has emergency assistance programs for rent and utilities. Another option is to check if your city has a human services department separate from the county programs. Sometimes cities have their own emergency assistance funds with different eligibility requirements. Austin, Houston, and San Antonio all have city-specific programs that can complement the county resources. Keep applying for jobs but don't forget to take care of your mental health during this time too. This situation is temporary even though it feels endless right now.

Based on everything you've shared, this sounds like a standard earnings verification hold. The good news is that if you're still eligible for partial benefits after they account for your part-time earnings, you'll receive back payments for any weeks that were delayed. In the meantime, continue to request payments on your regular schedule (every two weeks) and keep documenting your work search activities. If you don't see resolution within two weeks, getting through to a representative should be your priority. The earnings verification process typically shouldn't take more than 10-14 days.

I had almost the exact same experience! Filed in September, got my first two payments, then radio silence. Turns out TWC flagged my account for "identity verification" even though I'd already provided all my documents during the initial application. The worst part? They never sent me any notification about it - I only found out by digging through every section of their website. Check under "Correspondence" and "Account Maintenance" sections too, not just your inbox. Sometimes they hide important notices in weird places. Also try logging out completely and logging back in - their system is so buggy that sometimes pending issues don't show up until you refresh your session. If you find an identity verification hold (which is super common for new claimants), you'll need to upload documents again even if you already did during your initial claim. It's frustrating but usually resolves within a week once you resubmit everything.