That gives me some hope! I definitely applied in good faith and provided all documentation honestly. I'll prepare my financial information ahead of time in case I need to request this waiver. Thank you both for this advice!

I went through almost the identical situation two years ago - $18,000 overpayment demand after 14 months of appeal silence! Here's what saved me: I requested my complete case file through a Public Information Act request before the interview. This revealed they had flagged my case due to a "wage discrepancy" that turned out to be THEIR data entry error from when my employer reported my separation. During the interview, I had documentation proving the correct information was submitted initially. The key was staying calm and methodical - I asked them to walk through exactly which form or document contained the "incorrect" information they were basing their decision on. Turns out they had misread my employer's response about my separation reason. The whole thing got reversed and I didn't owe anything. The lesson: demand specifics about what triggered their review and have your original documentation ready to prove you submitted accurate information. Don't let them make vague accusations - make them show you exactly what they think was wrong.

Just to follow up on what others have said with some clarification about your options: 1. Request a payment plan (aim for 25% recoupment instead of 100%) 2. File an appeal within 14 days of notification (focus on lack of notice and non-fault overpayment) 3. Submit Form EO-48 for waiver consideration 4. Request Statement of Overpayment Account to verify amount The good news is that even though this is frustrating, you do have multiple options to pursue simultaneously. The most immediate relief will likely come from the payment plan, which can often be arranged quickly. The appeal and waiver process take longer but could potentially resolve the entire debt. Also, if you're struggling financially while this gets resolved, remember to check eligibility for other assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) or emergency housing assistance through your county.

I went through something similar in 2022 - TWC hit me with an overpayment from 2016 that I had no clue about. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely call that overpayment department number someone posted (512-936-3338) but call RIGHT when they open at 8am - that's your best shot at getting through. When you talk to them, use the exact phrase "financial hardship" multiple times and ask for the lowest possible recoupment percentage. Second, I discovered that TWC has an "Overpayment Collections Manual" that outlines their policies - you can request a copy under the Texas Public Information Act. It helped me understand what arguments actually work with them. Third, if you do file an appeal, include a sworn affidavit stating you never received proper notice at your current address. The burden is on them to prove they properly notified you, and "we sent it to your 2011 address" isn't proper notice if you moved and they had no forwarding info. One more thing - document EVERYTHING with dates and names. I kept a log of every call, every person I spoke with, and what they told me. It saved me when different agents gave me conflicting information. Hang in there - it's a frustrating process but you do have options!

Glad you finally got some answers! That "additional review" flag is so frustrating - they should really notify people when claims get flagged for routine stuff like this. At least now you know it's moving forward. Fingers crossed you get your determination letter soon and the backpay comes through quickly!

This is such a common issue right now! I went through the exact same thing - filed in April, employer responded within a week, then radio silence for over a month. What really helped me was calling first thing Monday morning right at 8am when they open. I got through after about 45 minutes of redial attempts. Turns out my claim was just sitting in a processing queue with no actual issues. The agent was able to see that everything was complete and told me to expect my determination letter within 5-7 business days. Got it 4 days later with full backpay! Keep trying to call - the waiting game is brutal but sometimes you just need a human to actually look at your file and push it along.

Just wanted to add that if you run into technical issues with ID.me (like the website timing out or camera not working), try using a different device or browser. I had problems on my laptop but it worked perfectly on my phone. Also, make sure you're in a well-lit area for the selfie verification - I had to retake mine twice because the lighting was too dim. The whole thing really is standard now, so don't stress too much about it!

I just went through the ID.me verification process last week and wanted to share my experience. It really is completely normal now - TWC requires it for pretty much all new claims as others have mentioned. One thing I'd add is to make sure you do the verification when you have some uninterrupted time. I tried to rush through it during my lunch break and ended up having to start over because I got distracted and the session timed out. The second time I set aside about 30 minutes and it went smoothly. Also, if you wear glasses like I do, you might need to take them off for the facial recognition part. The system had trouble matching my face with my driver's license photo at first. Once I removed my glasses, it worked perfectly. Your claim should definitely move forward once the verification is complete - it's just one of those necessary steps now. Best of luck with the process!

Update: I was finally able to get through to TWC this morning after using Claimyr! The agent I spoke with was actually really helpful and said they've expedited my case because I had all the documentation ready (police report, FTC report). She said it would still take 7-10 business days to complete their investigation, but at least now I have a case number and a direct extension to call back if needed. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Will update again when it's resolved.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through this exact same thing about 6 months ago. The identity theft form submission was just the first step - they also required me to fax additional documents including a notarized affidavit and copies of my driver's license front and back. The fax number should be in the confirmation email you received after submitting the form. Without those extra docs, my case sat in limbo for weeks. Also, if you haven't already, try calling the fraud hotline directly at 800-252-3642 instead of the main TWC number - sometimes it's less busy. Hang in there, it's incredibly frustrating but they do eventually get it sorted out!