TWC appeal after employer falsely claimed I quit - how long until decision?
Had my TWC appeal hearing today and I'm a bundle of nerves! My situation is messy - I submitted a two-week notice initially but then withdrew it before the time was up (had a family situation resolve). My employer terminated me anyway, but they're claiming to TWC that I voluntarily quit! That's why my benefits were denied originally. During today's hearing, my former boss lied so blatantly that even the hearing officer called him out on it multiple times. I have text messages proving I was terminated plus two coworkers who witnessed my manager telling me to leave. Despite the hearing seeming to go in my favor, I'm still anxious about waiting for the decision. Anyone know how long TWC typically takes to issue appeal decisions these days? Just trying to plan my budget and figure out how long I need to stretch my savings.
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Ava Thompson
In my experience, TWC usually sends appeal decisions within 7-14 days after the hearing. The fact that the hearing officer called out your employer for lying is actually a very good sign! The officer's job is to be neutral, so if they were challenging your employer's statements, that suggests they weren't finding those statements credible. Make sure you keep checking your correspondence inbox on the TWC portal daily - sometimes they don't send email notifications when they upload the decision letter.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Thank you! That's a little faster than I expected. I'll keep checking the portal. I was worried it might take months.
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Miguel Ramos
I had my apeall hearing like 2 months ago and it took 8 days exactly to get the decision. Won my case too when my boss tried to say I was fired for misconduct but I had proof it was just a layoff. BTW the letters come in the mail AND show up in your TWC online account. The online one usually shows up first though. Good luck!!!
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Zainab Ibrahim
•This is super helpful to know! I've been checking my mail every day like a hawk but didn't think to keep refreshing my online portal. Congrats on winning your case!
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StarSailor
When I had my appeal hearing in February this year, it took EXACTLY 10 days to get the determination letter. If the hearing officer was openly questioning your employer's statements, that's INCREDIBLY promising. They usually maintain a poker face throughout these hearings! Your situation is actually really similar to what happened to me - I withdrew my resignation but employer still claimed I quit. TWC ruled in my favor because the employer couldn't prove I actually left voluntarily. The determination letter will clearly explain their reasoning, whatever they decide. Best wishes!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•That's really encouraging to hear someone won in a similar situation! Did your backpay come quickly after you won your appeal? I'm trying to figure out when I might actually see money if things go my way.
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StarSailor
The backpay took about 2 weeks after the determination letter, but they paid everything I was owed from when I first applied. Just make sure you've been submitting your payment requests this whole time, even while waiting for the appeal! Some people stop requesting payments during appeals and that creates additional delays.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Oh no! I haven't been requesting payments because I thought I couldn't while appealing. Should I start doing that right away?
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Ava Thompson
Yes! You absolutely need to keep requesting payments during the entire appeal process. Log in immediately and request any missed payment periods if you're still within the timeframe to do so (I think it's 14 days from the scheduled request date). If you missed some, you may need to call TWC to get those weeks reopened after you win your appeal.
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Connor O'Brien
•Good luck getting through to TWC on the phone! I spent 3 days trying to reach them about a similar issue last month. Always busy signals or got disconnected after 45+ mins on hold. So frustrating!
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Yara Sabbagh
I went through something similar recently and had trouble reaching TWC by phone. I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) after seeing it mentioned here and it got me through to an agent in about 30 minutes instead of days of trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. It was especially helpful for explaining my missed payment requests during my appeal period. Getting those weeks reopened made a huge difference financially while waiting for everything to process.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Thank you for the tip! I'll definitely check this out because I need to call about these missed payment requests ASAP.
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Keisha Johnson
my sister had an appeal and it took almost a month to get the decision but that was during covid so everything was backed up. its probably faster now
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Paolo Rizzo
•ya everyting with TWC is faster now then during covid. my appeal took 2 weeks in January.
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Miguel Ramos
The MOST IMPORTANT THING about your case is that you have actual PROOF you didn't quit!!! TWC hates it when employers lie about this stuff. I've seen so many people get denied because they didn't have documentation. Smart move saving those text messages!!! The fact that you have witnesses too makes your case super strong.
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StarSailor
•This is very true. The burden of proof in a voluntary quit case is actually on the employer - they have to prove you left voluntarily. When they can't, and especially when there's evidence of termination like your texts, TWC usually rules in the claimant's favor. The system is complicated, but it does work reasonably well when you have documentation.
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Zainab Ibrahim
Does anyone know if they ever call with the decision or is it always by mail/online? I'm in a similar situation waiting on an appeal decision and jumping every time my phone rings lol
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Ava Thompson
•They don't call with decisions - they always send written determination letters. This is because the decision needs to include the legal reasoning and your appeal rights if you disagree with the decision. The documentation is important for any potential further appeals.
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