UPDATE: Just got a call from TWC this morning! So it took about 18 hours after using Claimyr. The agent was super helpful and found that my claim was pending because of an employer response issue. My former company had checked the wrong box about my separation reason. The agent submitted a correction request and said my claim should be processed within 3-5 business days. Huge relief! Definitely worth it to actually talk to someone who could see the specific problem.

That's such great news! Similar thing happened to me - my claim was stuck for weeks because of an employer coding error that I never would have known about without talking to an agent. It's frustrating that these simple issues can hold everything up for so long, but at least once you get through to someone they can usually fix it pretty quickly. Hopefully your payment comes through even faster than the 3-5 days they quoted!

Just wanted to add another tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation - if you're really stuck and need money urgently, you can also request a check instead of waiting for the ReliaCard. When I finally got through to TWC, they told me I could switch my payment method to paper check for just one payment while waiting for my card to arrive. The check took about 5-7 business days to arrive by mail, which was still faster than waiting for the ReliaCard to be processed and shipped. You can request this through your TWC account under payment options, or ask the representative when you call. It's not ideal long-term since checks take longer than direct deposit, but it can be a good temporary solution when you're desperate!

This thread is so helpful! I just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with both the ReliaCard AND the TWC website (like some people mentioned), you can also try accessing your account through the TWC mobile app. Sometimes the app works when the website is down or glitchy. You can download it from your phone's app store - just search for "Texas Workforce Commission" or "TWC Benefits". The app lets you check payment status, update your info, and even request certain changes to your payment method. It's not perfect but it's been more reliable for me than the website lately. Also, if you do get your ReliaCard but it gets lost or damaged later, you can report it through the app too and request a replacement much faster than calling customer service.

Pro tip: if you cant get through on the phone, try calling right when they open. I usually have better luck then!

I went through this exact same situation last year! After my appeal was overturned, I had to be pretty proactive about getting my backpay. Here's what worked for me: I called the TWC customer service line first thing Monday morning (like literally at 8:00 AM sharp) and explained that my appeal was successful and I needed my backpay processed. The rep was able to see my case immediately and processed the 6 weeks within about 10 business days. One thing that really helped was having my appeal decision letter ready with the case number. Also, don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if the first person you talk to seems unsure about the process. Some reps are more experienced with appeal backpay than others. Hang in there - you'll get your money! 💪

I went through this same nightmare last year! Here's what finally worked for me after 3 weeks of trying: 1. Call TWC at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - set multiple alarms. The lines fill up FAST but you have the best chance in that first 10-15 minutes. 2. When you do get through (and you will eventually), immediately ask to speak with a "claims specialist" for a backdating request. Don't let them transfer you to general customer service. 3. Have everything ready: your termination letter, screenshots of website errors, dates of when you tried to file, and a clear timeline of why you couldn't file sooner. 4. Be prepared to explain that you had "good cause for late filing" due to technical issues with their website AND family medical emergency (helping your mom after surgery is legitimate good cause). The website glitches alone should qualify you for backdating, especially if you have screenshots. I got approved for 4 weeks of backdating and received the payments about 2 weeks later. Don't give up - you ARE entitled to those benefits from your layoff date if you can prove good cause!

I'm dealing with a similar backdating issue right now! Filed 3 weeks after my layoff due to childcare problems and website crashes. One thing that's helped me is documenting EVERYTHING - I started keeping a log of every call attempt with timestamps, screenshot every error message, and even took photos of busy signal screens on my phone. Also, try calling the Tele-Center at different numbers - sometimes one line is less busy than others. The main number (800-939-6631) is always slammed, but I've had better luck with the employer line (800-832-9394) and asking them to transfer me to claims. Another tip - if you get disconnected (which happens constantly), call back immediately. Sometimes you'll get lucky and slip into a queue that just opened up. I know it's frustrating but persistence really does pay off with TWC. Keep pushing for that backdating - 6 weeks of missing benefits is no joke, especially when you're facing losing your apartment.

Based on your latest comment, this actually makes perfect sense. Your friend isn't permanently denied - she's just having her benefits delayed during the severance period (March 16 to May 11). This is standard TWC procedure. The real question is why aren't the others experiencing the same delay? Possibilities: 1. They didn't report their severance correctly 2. The employer reported inconsistently 3. Different TWC claim examiners made inconsistent decisions Your friend should continue filing payment requests every two weeks. After May 11, she should start receiving benefits if she continues to qualify. If the others weren't properly reporting their severance, they might eventually face an overpayment situation.

This is actually a pretty common issue with mass layoffs. TWC processes claims individually, and even small differences in how information is reported or interpreted can lead to inconsistent decisions. From what you've described, it sounds like Sarah's case was handled correctly according to TWC rules - the severance is causing a temporary delay, not a permanent denial. The concerning part is that 13 other people with identical packages were approved immediately. They either didn't report their severance properly, or there was an error in how their claims were processed. I'd recommend Sarah document everything and keep filing her payment requests. She should also consider reaching out to your former employer's HR to get clarification on how they reported the severance payments to TWC. If there were reporting inconsistencies, that could help explain the different outcomes.