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Fingers crossed for you! You did everything right by acting quickly once your internet was restored and getting proper documentation. I went through something similar last year (missed deadline due to being hospitalized) and the good cause exception saved me. The waiting is the hardest part but you've got solid documentation which is what matters most. Keep us updated on how it goes!
Thank you so much for the encouragement! It really helps to hear from someone who actually went through this process successfully. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking but I'm trying to stay positive. I feel like I covered all my bases with the documentation - got the service outage report from my ISP, the work order showing when the lines were cut and restored, plus all my layoff paperwork. Hopefully that's enough to prove it was truly beyond my control. I'll definitely update once I hear something back!
Just wanted to add that you should also keep copies of everything you submitted for your records. If they approve your good cause exception but then deny the original appeal, you'll want to have all that documentation ready for the next level of appeal. Also, make sure your contact information is current in your TWC account - they'll need to reach you for any hearings or additional information requests. The fact that you have both the internet outage documentation AND the layoff paperwork puts you in a really strong position. Don't let anyone discourage you from fighting this!
Just to clarify for everyone: The Combined Wage Claim (CWC) is specifically for combining wages from multiple states. If your Amazon job was in Texas, you don't need a CWC - you just need to appeal and explain that TWC is missing one of your Texas employers. If the Amazon job was in Michigan before you moved, then yes, you need to request a CWC. Either way, filing the appeal within the deadline is crucial to protect your rights while you sort this out.
That makes more sense now. My Amazon job was actually in Michigan right before I moved to Texas, so it sounds like I definitely need the Combined Wage Claim. I'm going to file the appeal online tonight just to make the deadline and then try to call about the CWC tomorrow. Thank you for explaining this so clearly!
Good luck Omar! You're getting great advice here. One more tip - when you file your appeal online, make sure to be very detailed about both jobs in your written statement. Include dates of employment, wage amounts, and specifically state that you believe TWC failed to include wages from your Michigan Amazon employment in your base period calculation. Also, if you have any documentation showing you reported both jobs when you initially filed (like confirmation emails or screenshots), include those too. The more documentation you provide upfront, the stronger your case will be. Keep us updated on how it goes!
That's awesome news Omar! So glad you finally got through to someone who could give you real answers. It's crazy how the online status can be so misleading - I went through something similar a few months ago where my claim showed "pending" for weeks but was actually already approved internally. Definitely keep checking your bank account because when those back payments hit, it's usually all at once. You've been so patient through this whole mess!
I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! My appeal was reversed on August 30th and my portal still shows disqualified with $0 benefits. It's so nerve-wracking waiting for the system to catch up when you're depending on those payments. Reading through all these responses is really reassuring though - sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal for the system to update after a reversed appeal. I've been keeping up with my payment requests every two weeks just like everyone recommends. The waiting is brutal but at least we know the hard part (winning the appeal) is done! Hopefully both our sons will see their portals update soon and get those backpayments flowing.
It's so reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this exact timeline! August 30th is even more recent than my son's decision, so hopefully we'll both see updates around the same time. The waiting really is brutal, especially when you're watching every day hoping the portal will finally show something different. I'm glad you're staying on top of those payment requests too - it seems like that's the most important thing we can do right now. Fingers crossed for both of us that the systems update soon and we can finally breathe a little easier! Thanks for sharing your experience - it definitely helps to know we're in this together.
I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment issues, and I wanted to add some additional context that might be helpful. The delay you're experiencing is unfortunately very common with reversed appeals, especially for pandemic-era claims. Here's what I typically tell clients in your situation: The good news is that a reversed decision in your favor is essentially a guarantee of payment - it's just a matter of when the system catches up. TWC's backend systems require manual intervention for appeals, which is why it takes so much longer than regular claims. A few practical tips while you wait: - Keep a written log of all payment request dates and confirmation numbers - Screenshot the decision letter and save it in multiple places - If possible, try calling again in about 10 days to get an updated timeline The longest I've seen a reversed appeal take to process was about 6 weeks, but that was during peak pandemic claims. Your son's case should be much faster. Once it does update, the backpay typically comes within 3-5 business days, and you'll get separate payments for each eligible week. Stay patient and keep doing those payment requests - you're on the right track!
Natasha Volkova
I'm in the exact same boat right now! Got my determination letter yesterday saying "voluntary quit" when I was clearly laid off due to budget cuts at my company. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea the phone numbers on the determination letters were basically useless. Going to file my appeal online today and try the main 800-939-6631 number instead. It's so frustrating that we have to figure out the actual process through community forums instead of getting clear guidance from TWC directly. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences here, especially the tip about continuing weekly certifications during the appeal process. That could have cost me weeks of backpay if I'd missed it! Will definitely update once I make some progress.
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Aiden Rodríguez
•Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! Your situation sounds exactly like what so many of us have been through. The determination letter phone numbers are absolutely worthless - I think they exist just to waste our time. The online appeal route is definitely the way to go, and make sure to upload every single piece of documentation you have about your layoff. Company emails, notices, anything that proves it was involuntary. The 800-939-6631 number does work but expect a long wait. And yes, definitely keep doing those weekly certifications even though you're not getting paid right now - that backpay tip from Mason could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Hang in there, the appeal process does work once you get through all the bureaucratic nonsense!
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Carmen Ruiz
I'm going through this exact nightmare right now too! Got my determination letter three days ago claiming "voluntary quit" when I was actually part of a company-wide layoff due to budget constraints. Like everyone else here, I've been calling that useless number on the letter with zero success - it just rings a few times and disconnects. This thread has been a godsend though! I had no idea I could file the appeal online or that I should be calling the main TWC number instead. Filing my online appeal today with all my layoff documentation (termination letter, company announcement about budget cuts, etc.) and will try the 800-939-6631 number. The tip about continuing weekly certifications during the appeal process is huge - I almost stopped doing them since I'm not getting paid anyway. Could have cost me serious money in backpay! It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to crowdsource the actual process that works while dealing with job loss stress. TWC's official guidance is completely useless. Thanks to everyone for sharing real solutions instead of just venting - this gives me hope that persistence will actually pay off!
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JaylinCharles
•You're absolutely right about having to crowdsource the real process - it's crazy that we have to figure this out ourselves! I went through the same thing a few months ago and this community was a lifesaver. One thing I'd add to the great advice already here: when you do get through on the 800-939-6631 number, ask the agent to add notes to your file about the layoff circumstances while you have them on the phone. That extra documentation in their system can really help speed up your appeal review. Also, if you have any coworkers who were part of the same layoff, their contact info might be helpful as potential witnesses if your appeal goes to a hearing. Hang in there - the system is broken but it does work once you navigate all the nonsense!
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