TWC denied my Disaster Unemployment Assistance claim but ticket submission may have worked?
I'm confused about my DUA claim status and need advice. After the flooding in East Texas last month, I applied for Disaster Unemployment Assistance since my workplace was completely underwater for weeks. TWC initially denied my claim saying I didn't submit proof of employment (even though I uploaded all my 2024 pay stubs and W-2). I filed a formal appeal right away but also submitted a support ticket through the portal explaining the situation. Today I checked my account and noticed something weird - the "under review" message is completely gone, but it still shows "ineligible" for my claim status. Has anyone experienced something similar? Does this mean they're reconsidering my case because of the ticket? Not sure if I should keep waiting or call them again. The appeal hearing isn't scheduled until next month, and I really can't wait that long for benefits.
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Yuki Ito
same thing happened to me!! showed ineligible for like 3 weeks then suddenly got approved. just wait a few days, they're probably processing it
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Ethan Taylor
•That's encouraging! Did you ever get any notification when they changed it or did you just have to keep checking your account?
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Carmen Lopez
The disappearing "under review" message usually means they're updating your claim status in the system. For DUA claims specifically, TWC often requires additional documentation beyond what's needed for regular unemployment. Check your correspondence inbox for any new messages requesting additional information. Also, the "ineligible" status sometimes stays visible until the entire process is complete - it doesn't always update in real-time. I'd recommend calling them to confirm what's happening with your claim rather than assuming things are moving forward.
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Ethan Taylor
•Thanks for explaining that! I checked my inbox and there's nothing new there. I've been trying to call them for days but keep getting busy signals or disconnected. It's so frustrating!
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Andre Dupont
I went through almost exactly this with my DUA claim after the same flooding. What worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to TWC. It's a service that basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. I was about to give up after 40+ calls, but with Claimyr I got through to a live person in about 25 minutes. They explained that my documentation was actually received but got filed under the wrong claim category. Fixed it right away. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check their demo video: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh
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Ethan Taylor
•I'll check that out! At this point I'd try anything to get through to an actual person. Their phone system is absolutely terrible.
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QuantumQuasar
•is that service legit tho? seems sketchy to pay just to talk to unemployment
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Andre Dupont
•It's legit - they just use technology to keep dialing until they get through, then connect you. Saved me days of frustration. TWC's phone system is completely overwhelmed since the disaster declaration.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
THE EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW!!!!! Applied for DUA after my job at the warehouse got destroyed in the flood. Been denied TWICE saying my proof wasn't good enough even though I sent them EVERYTHING! This system is RIGGED to deny people!!! They make it impossible to get through on the phone, impossible to upload the right documents, and even when you do, they still deny you!!! I'm so fed up with this whole process!
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Carmen Lopez
•For DUA claims specifically, you need to prove both employment and that your unemployment was directly caused by the disaster. Make sure you've submitted documentation for both aspects. The second part is often what people miss. You need statements showing your workplace was damaged, closed, or inaccessible due to the disaster.
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Jamal Wilson
I was denied regular UI benefits last year (not DUA) and immediately submitted a ticket. Three days later my denial changed to approval without any explanation. Never even had to deal with the appeal. Sometimes their system just needs a human to actually look at your case. The tickets seem to get routed to actual claims specialists while the initial determinations are often automated or done by overworked entry-level staff who are just checking boxes.
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Ethan Taylor
•That's really helpful context, thank you! I'm hoping that's what's happening in my case too. Just wish they'd communicate better about what's going on.
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Mei Lin
wait whats the difference between DUA and regular unemployment? i thought they were the same thing
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Carmen Lopez
•They're completely different programs. Regular unemployment (UI) is for people who lost work through no fault of their own under normal circumstances. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is specifically for people who lost work directly because of a federally declared disaster and who don't qualify for regular UI. DUA has different eligibility requirements, documentation needs, and is actually funded by FEMA, not the state unemployment insurance fund.
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Liam Fitzgerald
I remember when Hurricane Harvey hit us, my brother went through THREE denials for DUA before finally getting approved. The key was getting his employer to write a specific letter stating that his unemployment was 100% caused by the disaster. Maybe try getting more documentation? It's annoying but sometimes you just have to overwhelm them with proof.
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Ethan Taylor
UPDATE: Just got an email saying my claim status has changed! Logged in and now it shows ELIGIBLE! The ticket must have worked! Still no payment yet, but at least now I know I'm approved. For anyone facing similar issues, definitely try submitting a ticket through the portal in addition to filing an appeal.
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Yuki Ito
•congrats!! told u it would work out!!
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Carmen Lopez
•Great news! Now make sure you continue filing your payment requests every two weeks. DUA works similarly to regular UI for payment requests, but remember you'll still need to report your work search activities (minimum 3 per week) to keep receiving benefits.
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