TWC benefits for reduced hours? Denied regular UI with only 9 hours weekly now

Yes, you CAN qualify for partial unemployment benefits if your hours were cut significantly! This is a common misunderstanding. In Texas, if your hours were reduced through no fault of your own AND your current weekly earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount would be, you can definitely get partial benefits. The key is how you're reporting your current work situation on your application. Make sure you're selecting 'still employed but hours reduced' rather than just 'employed part-time' when filing. Also, be very clear about what your previous full-time hours were versus now. I recommend filing an appeal on that determination letter within the 14-day deadline. In your appeal, specifically state that your hours were reduced from [previous hours] to only 9 hours weekly, representing an 80% reduction in income. TWC has specific provisions for exactly this situation.

This happend to me last year! TWC is so confusing about this. You need to appeal and be VERY clear about your hours being CUT not that you're just working part time. There's a BIG difference in how they handle it. Part time = no benefits. Hours CUT = partial benefits!!! Also make sure you're putting your PREVIOUS full time wage info correctly. My friend got denied too because she didn't make it clear her hours were cut and they thought she was just a regular part timer.

I think what matters is if you earn less than what your weekly benefit amount would be. Like if you would get $300/week in unemployment but your 9 hours only pays you $120, then you should get the difference (minus a little bit they take off). Thats how it worked for me anyway.

You're definitely eligible for partial unemployment benefits in your situation. The key factors the TWC looks at are: 1) Your hours were reduced through no fault of your own 2) Your current weekly earnings are less than your potential benefit amount A few important things to know: - You need to file an appeal within 14 days of the determination letter date - In the appeal, specifically explain that your hours were involuntarily reduced from full-time plus overtime to only 9 hours - Make sure they understand this isn't a regular part-time job - it's a dramatic reduction When you submit weekly payment requests (after appealing), you'll report your part-time wages, and TWC will adjust your benefit amount accordingly. They use a formula that allows you to earn a certain amount before reducing your benefits. If you're having trouble getting through to TWC to discuss your appeal, I recently used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a TWC agent within 20 minutes instead of spending days calling. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. Totally worth it for getting this situation resolved quickly.

what about DUA (disaster unemployment)? you mentioned that in your post but didnt explain. are you in an area with a disaster declaration? DUA has different rules than regular unemployment sometimes.

TWC is such a nightmare to deal with!!! I went through almost the exact same thing in December when my retail job cut me from 38 hours to just 12 after the holiday rush. They denied me AT FIRST but then I appealed and explained that my hours were CUT not that I was just some random part-timer. Make sure you use those exact words - HOURS WERE CUT. And yes you only have 14 days to appeal from the date on that determination letter so do it RIGHT NOW. Don't wait. Their online appeal system worked for me but I also had to call like 50 times before I got through to someone who could actually help me understand what was happening. BTW you'll still need to do the 3 work searches weekly even with partial benefits. Such a pain when you're already working!

wait do u still work at the same place that cut ur hours or did u get a different part time job? cuz that might matter for how twc sees it

One more important thing: When you appeal, mention that you're suffering 'partial unemployment' as defined by TWC rules. That's the official term they use for reduced hours situations. According to TWC guidelines, if you're earning less than 125% of your weekly benefit amount, you can receive partial benefits. Also, save any documentation showing your previous work schedule compared to your current one. This will be valuable evidence for your appeal. Email communications about the reduction, old vs. new schedules, and pay stubs showing the difference can all help your case. Once approved, you'll need to report your earnings each time you request payment. TWC will calculate your partial benefit amount using their formula. Good luck with your appeal!

Just wanted to add that I went through this exact situation last year when my manufacturing job cut everyone's hours from 40+ to just 8-12 hours weekly. The first TWC rep I talked to told me I wasn't eligible because I was "still employed" but that was completely wrong! What really helped me was being super specific in my appeal about the INVOLUNTARY nature of the hour reduction. I emphasized that this wasn't a voluntary move to part-time work, but rather my employer unilaterally cutting my schedule due to reduced business. I also calculated the exact percentage reduction (in my case it was 75%) and included that in my appeal letter. The whole process took about 3 weeks after filing the appeal, but I did get approved for partial benefits. The weekly amount wasn't huge but it definitely helped bridge the gap while I was looking for additional work. One tip: keep detailed records of your work search activities even while you're appealing. If you get approved, they'll want to see that you've been actively looking for work to supplement your reduced hours. Good luck with your appeal - you've got a strong case based on what you've described!

I'm dealing with something similar right now - my hours got cut from 35 to just 12 per week about a month ago. Reading through all these responses is really encouraging because I was also told initially that I don't qualify since I'm "still working." @Keisha Williams - definitely appeal ASAP if you haven't already! From what everyone's saying, the key is making it crystal clear that your hours were CUT, not that you chose part-time work. I'm planning to file my appeal this week and I'm going to use a lot of the language suggestions people have shared here. One thing I learned from calling TWC (took me literally 47 attempts to get through) is that they have a specific code for "reduced hours" situations that's different from regular part-time employment. Make sure when you're filling out forms or talking to reps that you emphasize the REDUCTION aspect. Also saving all my old vs new pay stubs like someone suggested - that visual difference is pretty stark when you see the numbers side by side. Hope your appeal goes smoothly!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! My restaurant job cut me from 40+ hours to just 8 hours weekly when business slowed down. TWC initially denied me too with that same "still employed part-time" reasoning - it's like they have a script or something. The appeal process was honestly pretty straightforward once I understood what they needed to hear. Key things that helped me: 1) Used the phrase "involuntary reduction of hours" multiple times in my appeal 2) Included exact hour comparisons (was working 42 hours/week, now only 8 hours/week = 81% reduction) 3) Attached my last 6 pay stubs showing the dramatic difference in earnings 4) Made it super clear this wasn't my choice - my employer cut the schedule Got approved about 2.5 weeks after filing the appeal. The partial benefits aren't huge but they definitely help cover some bills while you're dealing with the reduced income. Pro tip: when you do your weekly certifications after getting approved, be really careful about how you report your part-time wages. The system is kind of wonky about calculating the partial benefit amount, but as long as you're earning less than about 125% of what your full weekly benefit would be, you should get something. Definitely appeal before that 14-day deadline hits - you've got a solid case here!

I'm going through this right now too and it's so frustrating how TWC initially treats hour reductions like they're the same as voluntary part-time work! Reading all these responses gives me hope though - sounds like appeals work if you use the right language. Just want to add one thing I learned from my own research: when you file your appeal, make sure to mention the specific TWC rule about "partial unemployment." According to their own guidelines, you qualify if your weekly earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount plus $5. So if you would normally get $250/week in benefits, but your 9 hours only pays you $150, you should definitely qualify. Also, I've been documenting everything - screenshots of my work schedule before vs after the cuts, emails from management about the reduction, etc. Having that paper trail ready seems important for the appeal process. Hope your appeal goes smoothly! The system is confusing but it sounds like people in your exact situation do get approved once they get past the initial denial. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I just went through this exact situation 3 months ago and successfully got partial benefits after appealing! Your case sounds very strong - an 80% income reduction definitely qualifies for partial unemployment benefits in Texas. A few things that really helped my appeal: 1) I calculated my exact percentage reduction and put it right in the subject line of my appeal: "Appeal for Involuntary 75% Hour Reduction" 2) I included a simple before/after chart showing my previous weekly schedule vs current schedule 3) I emphasized that my employer made this decision unilaterally due to business conditions - not my choice The magic phrase that seemed to work was "involuntary partial unemployment due to employer-initiated hour reduction." TWC has specific provisions for this exact situation, but their initial screening process often misses it. Make sure you appeal within 14 days of your determination letter date! Once approved, you'll report your part-time wages weekly and they'll calculate your partial benefit amount. In my case, I was getting about $180/week in partial benefits which made a huge difference. One heads up - you'll still need to do the 3 work search activities weekly even though you're already working. It's annoying but required for partial benefits too. Your situation is textbook partial unemployment - don't let that initial denial discourage you! The appeal process works if you frame it correctly.