I went through this exact same situation in 2023 with a COVID overpayment appeal and WON! Here's my step-by-step advice: 1. File your appeal IMMEDIATELY - you have 14 days from the determination letter date 2. When you file, request all documents TWC has on file for your case (there's a checkbox for this) 3. Get a sworn statement from ANY coworker who can verify the restaurant closure - even if they don't work there anymore 4. If you can find any news articles about restaurant closures in your area during COVID, print those too as supporting evidence During my hearing, the employer tried to claim I abandoned my job, but I had screenshots of a group text where our manager told everyone "we're closing indefinitely due to COVID - sorry guys." That single piece of evidence won my case immediately. The hearing officer was actually very understanding about COVID situations. They've heard this story countless times - restaurants closing and then employers later trying to avoid unemployment costs by claiming people quit. Don't stress too much about needing a lawyer for this type of case. I represented myself and it was fine. Just be organized, tell the truth, and have your evidence ready. You've got this!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Got my determination letter on Friday saying I owe back $3,200 from COVID benefits because my employer told TWC I "voluntarily resigned" when I was actually furloughed indefinitely. It's so frustrating when employers change their story months or years later. I've been reading through all these comments and they're super helpful. I'm definitely going to file my appeal first thing Monday morning and start gathering all my text messages and emails from when I was furloughed. It's reassuring to see so many people who successfully appealed these decisions. One question for those who've been through this - did any of you have issues with your employer not showing up to the hearing? I'm wondering if that works in our favor or if TWC just goes with whatever the employer initially reported. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. This whole situation has been keeping me up at night but reading all your advice makes me feel like there's actually hope!

Quick update - I just checked my TWC account today and my status changed from "Appeal Pending" to "Eligible" and there's a determination letter dated yesterday in my correspondence! The hearing officer ruled in my favor since the employer failed to appear and present evidence of misconduct, plus my witnesses' testimony proved inconsistent application of company policy. All my backpay is being processed now! Just wanted to share the good news and timeline - it took exactly 8 days from hearing to determination in my case. Thanks everyone for your support and advice during this stressful time!

Congratulations @NeonNebula! That's fantastic news and gives me so much hope for my own case. Eight days is pretty quick too - I'm on day 3 since my hearing so I'll keep checking my account obsessively. Your situation sounds almost identical to mine - employer no-show, witness testimony about inconsistent policy enforcement, and no prior warnings. Really appreciate you coming back to update us with the good news. Can't wait to hopefully post my own success story soon! 🤞 For anyone else going through this process, it seems like having witnesses who can testify about similar situations is really key. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community has been a lifesaver during this stressful time.

Has anyone had any luck getting an installment plan from TWC that doesn't completely drain your bank account every month? They want me to pay $275/month which I CANNOT afford right now with inflation and everything else going up!

I went through this exact situation last year and it was a nightmare to figure out! Here's what I learned after consulting with a CPA who specializes in these cases: You absolutely DO need to report the full $4,600 from the 1099-G as income - there's no way around that since TWC already reported it to the IRS. But you have options for getting relief on the repayments. Since you started repaying in 2024 (the same year you received the benefits), you can actually deduct the amount you repaid IN 2024 from your taxable income. So if you paid back $540 in 2024 ($180 x 3 months), you can reduce your reportable unemployment income to $4,060 for tax year 2024. For the payments you'll make in 2025, you'll handle those on your 2025 tax return. Since your total repayment will be over $3,000, definitely look into the Section 1341 credit calculation - it could save you more money than just taking the itemized deduction. Keep EVERY receipt and confirmation of your payments to TWC. The IRS may want to see proof of the repayments if they have questions. Also, consider hiring a tax professional for this year since the calculations can get tricky with partial repayments across multiple tax years. Don't stress too much - the tax code does have provisions for exactly this situation, even though TWC doesn't make it clear!

This entire thread is both heartbreaking and infuriating. I'm currently at 16 months waiting for Commission Review after winning at both lower levels, and reading everyone's experiences makes me realize I've been way too passive in my approach. I've been calling the main TWC number monthly and getting the same runaround - "it's in process, be patient, there's a backlog." But seeing @Amina Diop's update about discovering a "system flag" and undisclosed employer documentation really opened my eyes. How many of us are sitting in limbo because of TWC's administrative errors that we're never told about? Tomorrow I'm calling the Appeals Department directly (512-463-8770), emailing the Ombudsman office, and contacting my state representative. I'm also going to reach out to the State Auditor's office as @CyberSamurai suggested. This is clearly a systemic problem affecting multiple people, not isolated delays. @StarGazer101 - your 18-month nightmare is absolutely unacceptable, but thank you for posting this. Your situation has mobilized all of us to take more aggressive action. The fact that you've won TWICE and they're still dragging this out is unconscionable. I think we should seriously consider coordinating a group complaint and reaching out to local media outlets together. When you have this many people experiencing identical delays (win twice, then disappear into Commission Review black hole for 12-18+ months), that's not normal processing - that's systematic negligence that deserves public scrutiny. Keep fighting everyone - they're counting on us giving up, but we won't!

I'm so sorry you're going through this ordeal - 18 months is absolutely outrageous! Reading through all the advice here, I wanted to add one more potential resource that helped me when I was dealing with a different state agency issue. Have you tried filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau? I know it sounds unconventional for a government agency, but TWC actually responds to BBB complaints because they affect their public rating. When I filed one for a different issue, I got a response within 2 weeks from someone much higher up the chain than I'd ever reached through normal channels. Also, consider documenting all of this and sending it to your local newspaper's investigative team. The Austin American-Statesman has done stories on TWC issues before, and 18 months for someone who's already won twice is exactly the kind of bureaucratic nightmare that makes for compelling reporting. The fact that you've won at both the hearing and Appeal Tribunal levels means you have a rock-solid case. TWC is absolutely hoping you'll give up, but don't let them win through attrition. That $18,500 is rightfully yours, plus interest! Keep us posted on what happens when you try the Appeals Department direct number - I have a feeling that's going to be the breakthrough you need.

Thank you everyone for the advice! I just submitted my payment request and made sure to report the exact wages I earned during the 2 weeks I worked. I also documented my 3 work search activities per week as required. The TWC website shows my payment is now pending, so hopefully it goes through without issues. Really appreciate all the help!

Glad to hear you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you ever have a gap between when your temp job ends and when you submit your next payment request, make sure you're still doing your work search activities during that gap too. TWC counts every week you're unemployed toward the requirement, even if you haven't submitted a payment request yet. I learned this the hard way when I had a similar situation and forgot to do work searches the week after my temp job ended.