Great tip about checking for overpayments on the 1099-G! I didn't have any overpayments thankfully, but that's definitely something people should watch out for. One more thing I learned while researching this - if anyone here is married and filing jointly, make sure to discuss the tax implications with your spouse. The unemployment income could potentially bump you into a higher tax bracket or affect other credits/deductions. My wife and I are planning to meet with our tax preparer early this year to make sure we're prepared for any surprises.

Just wanted to add another resource that might be helpful - if you're doing your own taxes this year, make sure your tax software can handle unemployment income properly. I used TurboTax last year and it walked me through exactly where to enter the 1099-G information and automatically calculated everything. Some of the free filing options through the IRS website also handle unemployment benefits well. Also, if you're still unemployed or underemployed, you might qualify for free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. They have locations throughout Texas and the volunteers are trained specifically on unemployment tax issues since it became such a big deal during the pandemic years.

my brother got a job at amazon but they only gave him like 10 hours the first week and he still got sum unemployment but way less

Just wanted to add my experience from a few months ago - I was in almost the exact same situation! Started a retail job that only gave me 12-15 hours per week initially. I was terrified to report it thinking they'd cut me off completely, but I'm so glad I did. TWC reduced my weekly benefit by about 60% but I still got something, which really helped bridge the gap until my hours increased. The key things that helped me: 1. I kept detailed records of every hour worked and wages earned 2. When the questionnaire came (it took about 10 days after reporting), I was very clear that this was part-time/temporary work and I was still actively job searching 3. I continued doing my 3 work searches every week even though I had the part-time job The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. Just be honest and thorough in your reporting and you should be fine! Good luck with the new job too - hopefully it leads to more hours or opens doors to something better!

Quick update on my earlier comment - I just double-checked and according to the ID.me help center, a U.S. passport counts as a "primary document" but you'll still need something for the secondary verification. Good options if you don't have your SS card are: - W-2 from last year - Recent tax return (doesn't need to be the full return, just the first page with your info) - Utility bill with your name and current address - Health insurance card Hope this helps clarify things!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with document photos, try scanning them with your phone's built-in scanner app (like Notes on iPhone or Google Drive scanner) instead of just taking regular photos. The scanner apps usually produce clearer, more uniform images that ID.me accepts more easily. Also, make sure there's no glare or shadows on the documents - I had to retake mine twice because of lighting issues. Good luck with your verification!

Hey Santiago! Just wanted to add something I learned the hard way - when you file your claim, make absolutely sure you select the correct reason for separation. Since you mentioned it's a layoff due to "reduction in force," DO NOT select anything that could be interpreted as quitting or being fired for cause. I've seen people accidentally select the wrong option and it delayed their benefits for weeks while they had to go through an appeal process. Also, keep copies of any layoff notices or emails from your employer about the reduction in force. TWC might ask for documentation later, and having that paperwork ready can speed up the process. The fact that your whole team is being cut should make this pretty straightforward for approval. You're in a much better position than you think with that 2-year work history before your current job!

Santiago, I went through a similar situation last year - got laid off after only 4 months at my job but had worked steady for years before that. The key thing that helped me was filing my claim online literally the day I got laid off (don't wait!). One thing I wish someone had told me upfront: when you get to the part about your work history, be prepared to enter details for every employer you had during your base period, not just your current one. They'll ask for company names, addresses, supervisor info, exact start/end dates, and your total gross wages for each job. Having all that info organized beforehand saved me from having to stop mid-application to hunt down old pay stubs. Also, since you mentioned you're stressed about bills - once you're approved, you can typically get benefits for up to 26 weeks in Texas (sometimes extended during high unemployment periods). With your work history, you should qualify for a decent weekly amount. Just remember to keep applying for jobs consistently because those work search requirements are no joke!

I'm dealing with the same nightmare right now! One thing that's helped me is calling the Tele-Center at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - like literally have your finger ready to hit call at 7:59:59. I've also heard that if you call around 11:30 AM or 2:30 PM, you might catch them during shift changes when there's less volume. Also, make sure you have your appeal paperwork ready to submit online or by mail as a backup - don't rely solely on getting through by phone. The deadline for appeals is usually pretty strict (I think it's 14 days from when you received the determination letter), so you don't want to miss it while waiting for a callback. Stay strong! This system is absolutely broken but people do eventually get through. 💪

I went through this exact same struggle last month! Here's what finally worked for me: I called the main TWC number (800-939-6631) at exactly 7:59 AM and pressed the buttons as soon as the system picked up. The key is to get in the queue before everyone else starts calling. I also recommend having multiple phones ready - I had my cell and landline both dialing at the same time to increase my chances. Another tip: if you do get through to someone but they can't help with appeals specifically, ask them to transfer you directly to the appeals department instead of hanging up and starting over. Sometimes they can do internal transfers that bypass the main phone tree. And definitely file your appeal in writing too (online or by mail) as backup while you're trying to reach them by phone. Don't let the deadline pass while waiting for a callback that might never come! Hang in there - I know it's incredibly frustrating but you WILL get through eventually! 🤞