Thanks for sharing your timeline - this is really helpful! I'm currently stuck in the same "in review" status for 2.5 weeks now. Your post made me realize I should probably reach out to my former employer's HR department. I was laid off from a marketing agency and just assumed they would handle everything automatically. Question: when you called your ex-manager, did you mention it was urgent or affecting your benefits? I'm worried about coming across as pushy since I'm no longer an employee, but I really need to get this resolved. Also, did TWC give you any reference number or case ID that you shared with your employer to help them locate the SIDES request?

This is such valuable information - thank you for sharing your detailed timeline! I'm currently in week 3 of "in review" status and hadn't thought to contact my former employer directly. Your experience with HR not even knowing about the TWC request is eye-opening. I just assumed everything was automated and they would handle it on their end. I'm going to reach out to my former manager tomorrow morning. Quick question: when you sent those screenshots to HR, did you black out any sensitive information, or did you share them as-is? I want to make sure I'm providing helpful documentation without oversharing personal details from my TWC account.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the uncertainty is awful when you're already dealing with job loss. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you've gotten good advice about exploring SNAP, TANF, and other assistance programs while continuing your job search. One thing I'd add is to check with local churches, community organizations, and food banks in your area - many have emergency assistance funds for rent/utilities that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for other programs to kick in. Also, don't forget about gig work or temporary employment agencies as a short-term income source. It's not ideal, but even a few hundred dollars from DoorDash or temp work can help with immediate expenses. You're not alone in this situation and you're being smart by asking for help and exploring all your options. Hang in there!

Hey Demi, I just went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and I totally understand the panic you're feeling. The reality is harsh but everyone here is giving you solid advice. One thing I'd add is to make sure you apply for emergency rental assistance through your city/county ASAP - many areas still have COVID relief funds available for rent help and they can sometimes cover 2-3 months while you get back on your feet. Also, if you have any old 401k or retirement accounts from previous jobs, you might be able to do a hardship withdrawal to cover immediate expenses (though there are tax implications). The TWC system really does suck at explaining what happens when benefits run out - you're definitely not alone in being blindsided by this. Keep your head up and cast a wide net with job applications. Even getting a temporary job while you keep looking for something in your field can help bridge the gap.

Just wanted to add that when your husband files his initial claim, he should be very detailed about the reason for the reduction. TWC will ask for specific information about why his hours and pay were cut, so have him explain clearly that it was due to the employer's financial difficulties and not any fault of his own. Also, keep copies of everything - his old pay stubs showing the higher salary, the new ones showing the reduction, and any written communication from his employer about the changes. If TWC requests additional documentation later, you'll have it ready to go. One more tip: if he gets stuck in the online application process, try different browsers or clear your cache. The TWC website can be glitchy sometimes and switching browsers helped me get through when I had issues. Good luck with the application process! It sounds like he has a solid case for partial benefits given the significant reduction in both hours and pay.

I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago when my employer cut my hours from full-time to part-time due to budget constraints. Here's what I learned from the process: Texas partial unemployment is definitely possible, but there are a few key things to keep in mind: 1. He'll need to file his claim online at ui.texasworkforce.org - the system walks you through everything step by step 2. Make sure he has his Social Security card, driver's license, and recent pay stubs ready before starting 3. When they ask about separation reason, choose "reduction in hours/wages" not "laid off" or "fired" 4. Be prepared to wait - my claim took about 2-3 weeks to process initially The good news is that once it's approved, the bi-weekly payment process becomes pretty routine. I found it helpful to set a calendar reminder for my payment request days so I never missed the deadline. Also, don't let the negative stories scare you off completely. Yes, the system can be frustrating, but many people (myself included) do successfully get partial benefits. The key is being patient and persistent with the process. Hope this helps and that things improve for your family soon!

Congrats on getting your payment! This is actually a really helpful thread for future reference. For anyone else reading this - it's totally normal for first-time TWC payments to take longer, especially with bigger banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc. They tend to be more conservative with processing times compared to online banks like Chime or Capital One 360. The 2-3 business day window is pretty standard, but don't panic if it hits day 3 like it did for you. The important thing is that "processed" status - that means TWC has sent the money and it's just working its way through the banking system.

Just wanted to add that if anyone is still waiting on their first payment, you can also check your bank's mobile app for any "pending deposits" or "incoming transfers" that might not show in your main balance yet. Some banks will show these a day or two before they actually post to your account. Also, if you're really worried about timing for bills, many banks have overdraft protection or short-term loan features that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for unemployment to hit. Better to use those than stress about rent! And once you get in the rhythm of the payment schedule, it becomes much more predictable.

Screenshots of your job applications from Indeed and LinkedIn should definitely help your case! I'd also recommend gathering any email confirmations you received from employers acknowledging your applications, if you have them. When I went through a similar situation, the TWC agent seemed more interested in showing a pattern of consistent job searching rather than super official documentation. One tip: organize everything by date so you can clearly show you were actively looking during those two weeks. If you applied through company websites directly, try to grab screenshots of your application history from their career portals too. The more you can demonstrate that you were genuinely unemployed and available for work during that gap, the better your chances. Also, when you call, be polite but persistent - explain that you were diligently job searching and didn't realize you should file immediately while looking. Some agents are more flexible than others. Good luck!

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Lost my job on a Friday, spent two weeks networking and applying thinking I'd bounce back quickly, then finally filed when reality hit. When I called TWC about backdating, the first agent basically said no way. But I called back a few days later and got someone different who actually walked me through the appeal process. She explained that while "hoping to find work quickly" isn't typically good cause, if you can show you were genuinely available for work and actively searching, they sometimes make exceptions. I ended up submitting a written request with all my job applications, networking emails, and even LinkedIn messages I'd sent during those two weeks. It took about 3 weeks to get a response, but they actually approved one week of backdating (remember you still lose the waiting week no matter what). So definitely don't give up! Document everything you did job-search wise during that gap period and formally request the backdating in writing after you talk to someone. Even if you only recover one week, that's still several hundred dollars. Worth the effort in my opinion!