When my account was locked for suspected fraud, I discovered that it was because someone had attempted to access my account from an unrecognized device in another state. The fraud department needs to verify your identity before they can unlock your account. Here's what I recommend: 1. If you can't reach them by phone, try going to your local Workforce Solutions office in person with your identification documents (driver's license, social security card, etc.) 2. Even with your account locked, document the dates you would have requested payment - you'll need this information for backdating 3. Once your account is unlocked, you'll need to submit a Payment Request Revision through your online portal under the "Payment Request" section 4. You might also need to complete a new ID.me verification even after your account is unlocked Don't worry about missing Tuesday's deadline as long as you're actively trying to resolve this. TWC has procedures for these situations.

I went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago and it's incredibly stressful, but you will get through it! A few additional tips that helped me: - Try calling the fraud line at different times throughout the day, not just first thing in the morning. I actually got through around 2pm on a Wednesday when everyone else was probably calling early - Keep a log of every call you make (time, date, how long you waited) - this documentation helped when I finally spoke to someone - If you do miss Tuesday's deadline, don't panic. When you get your account unlocked, tell them immediately that you tried to file but couldn't due to the fraud lock. They have a process for this and I got all my missed payments - Make sure you're ready with ALL your documents when you do get through - ID, social security card, and any employment records they might ask for The whole thing took me about 10 days to resolve, but I did get every penny I was owed. The system is frustrating but they do make it right eventually. Hang in there!

UPDATE: So I followed everyone's advice and sent a formal email to HR outlining the situation, specifically using the wording about "substantial change in hiring agreement" and explaining my medical needs. To my surprise, they responded within 2 days! Apparently there was some miscommunication between departments. They're now saying I can be enrolled in benefits next month (still later than promised, but better than waiting a full year). I'm still considering my options since I've lost trust in this company, but I wanted to thank everyone for the advice. I'll keep all this documentation either way. If I do end up needing to quit and file for unemployment, I'll definitely use the Claimyr service to get through to someone at TWC based on the recommendations here.

Glad to hear you got a positive response from HR! That formal email approach really works. Just want to add one more thing based on my experience - even though they're offering benefits next month, I'd recommend getting the exact effective date and coverage details in writing before you make your final decision. Sometimes "next month" can turn into "sometime next month" or "pending approval processes." Also, if you do decide to stay, consider this a lesson learned about this employer's communication style. You might want to start building a backup plan (updating your resume, networking, etc.) just in case other promises don't pan out. Trust is hard to rebuild once it's broken, especially when it comes to something as important as health benefits. Good luck with whatever you decide!

As someone who's been through multiple TWC appeals (unfortunately), I can confirm what others are saying - employer no-shows definitely help but aren't automatic wins. I've seen it go both ways. One thing I don't see mentioned yet: if your employer submitted a written statement or evidence when they initially contested your claim, the hearing officer will still have that even if they don't show up. So be prepared to address whatever they originally said about your termination. Also, about the timeline - in my experience, the written determination usually comes 7-10 business days after the hearing, but the online system can be wonky. Sometimes it updates before you get the letter, sometimes weeks after. I'd recommend checking both regularly but don't panic if they don't match up immediately. Since you mentioned you have documentation proving your case, make sure you can clearly explain how each piece of evidence contradicts their claim that you violated policy. The hearing officer will want to see that connection spelled out, not just assume it's obvious. You've got this! Two months without benefits is rough, but having solid documentation puts you in a much better position than a lot of people who go into these hearings.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! My employer was a no-show, but I still had to present my full case. The hearing officer asked me detailed questions about every aspect of my termination for over an hour. What really saved me was having everything organized with tabs and reference numbers. When the hearing officer asked "Can you tell me about the incident on March 15th that your employer mentioned in their initial response?", I could immediately flip to the right document and give specific details. One thing that caught me off guard - even though my employer didn't show up, they had submitted a pretty detailed written response when they first contested my claim. The hearing officer had all of that in front of them and asked me to respond to each point they had made. So definitely review whatever your employer initially submitted when they protested your benefits. My determination letter arrived exactly 12 days after the hearing, and the online system updated about a week after that. The waiting is brutal, but keep requesting payments during that time no matter what. I made the mistake of stopping requests for a few weeks thinking it didn't matter, and it caused delays even after I won. You sound well-prepared with your documentation - that's honestly the most important thing. Stay confident and stick to the facts!

I work at a legal aid clinic and we see cases like this all the time. The fact that TWC didn't automatically offset your alleged overpayment from your recent benefits is actually a red flag that suggests there may be an error in their system or records. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. File your appeal TODAY - don't wait. You can always supplement with additional documentation later, but missing that 14-day deadline will kill your case. 2. In your appeal, specifically state: "I dispute this overpayment determination and question why this alleged debt was not recovered through automatic offset when I received benefits in [year]." 3. Request a complete copy of your wage records from the relevant time period. Sometimes TWC has incorrect or duplicate employer information that makes it look like you failed to report earnings. 4. Check if you're eligible for legal aid services in your area - many organizations provide free representation for unemployment appeals, especially for cases involving potential system errors. The pattern of TWC failing to offset overpayments from recent benefits that multiple people are reporting here suggests there may be broader systemic issues. Don't let them pressure you into accepting this without a fight - you have rights and there are resources available to help you navigate this process.

I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to add a few things that might help. First, when you file your appeal, make sure to request what's called a "wage detail report" for the period in question - this will show you exactly what earnings records TWC has on file for you, and sometimes you can spot discrepancies or duplicate entries that caused the problem. Second, I discovered that TWC has a specific form called the "Request for Waiver of Recovery of an Unemployment Insurance Benefit Overpayment" (Form C-46) if you believe the overpayment was due to their error and not yours. Given that they should have automatically deducted this from your recent benefits but didn't, that could be grounds for a waiver. Also, if you're having trouble getting through by phone, try using their online chat feature during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening). I had better luck there than with the phone lines. The fact that so many people in this thread are experiencing the same issue with failed automatic offsets really does suggest there's a systemic problem. Don't let them make you feel like you did something wrong - their own system should have caught this years ago if it was legitimate. Stay strong and fight it!

I'm still getting an error message when I try to log in. Anyone else still having problems or is it just me now? Getting so frustrated with this whole process!!!

Just want to add that if you're still having trouble after trying all these suggestions, you can also visit your local TWC office in person to submit your payment request. I know it's not ideal, but when I had similar issues a few months ago, the staff there were able to process everything for me on the spot. Most offices open at 8am and you'll want to bring your ID and any documentation from your claim. It's worth calling ahead to confirm hours since some locations have reduced schedules on certain days.