TWC Appeal Hearing Today - They Said I'm Not Available for Work But I AM!

I went through exactly this type of appeal last month and won. Deep breaths! The hearing officer will ask specific questions about your availability for work. Be clear that you are able and available to work full-time, have reliable transportation (explain your temporary solution), and are actively seeking employment. Have your work search logs ready and mention specific jobs you've applied for. The key is demonstrating that you're available for suitable work without restrictions. If they claim you said something during your initial interview, calmly explain what you actually said and how it might have been misinterpreted. These hearings usually last 30-45 minutes. Just answer questions directly and honestly without rambling. Good luck!

TWC is NOTORIOUS for twisting peoples words during those initial interviews!!! Happened to me too. They asked if I had childcare issues and I said "sometimes my sitter cancels but I have backups" and they wrote down I wasn't available for work!!!! THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST US!!

For your appeal hearing, wait for the hearing officer to explain the issue first, then respond directly to their questions. When they ask about your availability, that's when you should clarify the transportation misunderstanding. Make sure you emphasize these key points: 1. You have always been available for full-time work 2. You had a temporary transportation solution in place (your sister driving you) 3. Your car issue is now resolved (assuming it is) 4. You've been actively applying for jobs and attending interviews Have you received your appeal packet? It should contain the specific evidence TWC is using against you. Review this carefully before your hearing so you know exactly what you need to address.

when i had my appeal i tried calling TWC like 40 times to ask questions before the hearing but couldnt get thru. finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual TWC person in like 15 mins. they explained exactly what to expect in the hearing and what evidence I needed. super helpful and wasnt expensiv. they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh

i went through an appeal last year and lost even though i had proof. the whole thing seemed decided before i even talked. just saying dont get ur hopes up too high, prepare for the worst. make sure u have a backup plan for bills and stuff

heyyy just wondering did u do ur payment requests while waiting for appeal?? my friend didn't and lost like 5 weeks of payments even tho she won her appeal

One more important tip: speak clearly and professionally during your hearing. Since it's likely by phone, make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception. Have all your documents organized and in front of you. Don't interrupt the hearing officer or any TWC representatives, even if you disagree with what they're saying - wait your turn to respond. Also, at the end of the hearing, they'll typically ask if you have any final statements. This is your opportunity to briefly summarize your key points about being available for work. Something like: "I have always been available for full-time work, had temporary transportation arranged while my car was being repaired, and have been actively seeking employment as demonstrated by my work search records.

UPDATE: I just finished my appeal hearing and I think it went well! The hearing officer was actually really nice and let me fully explain the transportation situation. She seemed to understand that there was a miscommunication in my initial interview. She asked for details about my job search activities and seemed impressed that I'm applying to 5+ jobs weekly and have had interviews. I stayed calm (mostly!) and had all my documentation ready like you all suggested. She said I should receive a written decision within 7-10 days. Fingers crossed!!! Thank you everyone for your advice and support - it really helped me prepare and feel less anxious!

Congratulations on getting through the hearing! It really does sound like it went well based on your description. The fact that the hearing officer took the time to let you fully explain the situation and seemed engaged with your job search documentation is definitely encouraging. I went through a similar appeal about 6 months ago (also for an availability misunderstanding) and had a very similar experience - the hearing officer was patient, asked detailed questions, and seemed to "get it" that there had been miscommunication during the initial interview. I won my appeal and received all my back payments about 2 weeks after getting the decision letter. The waiting period is nerve-wracking, but try to stay positive. You were well-prepared, had solid documentation, and clearly explained your situation. That's really all you can do. Definitely keep doing your payment requests like others mentioned - when the decision comes through in your favor, you'll want those weeks processed quickly! Wishing you the best outcome! 🤞