TWC denied my backpay after misunderstanding severance rules - single mom desperate

omg I went thru almost the exact same situation!! they make the rules so confusing then blame us when we don't understand everything perfectly. did u get anything in writing when they told u to wait? my experience is TWC rarely approves backpay unless u can prove they gave u wrong info

The TWC rule you're running into is called "timely payment requests." You must request payment every two weeks on your assigned day, even if you think you'll be denied. Missing these biweekly requests without good cause will result in losing those benefits permanently. There are only a few acceptable reasons for missing payment requests: 1. Severe illness/hospitalization that prevented you from requesting 2. Death of an immediate family member 3. Natural disaster 4. Documented TWC error (where they specifically told you in writing not to request) Misunderstanding the process unfortunately isn't considered good cause. Your best option is to request a formal appeal, but be prepared with documentation supporting one of the reasons above. Also, make sure you're now requesting payments consistently going forward for your reopened claim.

the same thing happend to me last summer and i lost like 8 weeks of benefits. its so stupid how they expect everyone to be experts in there complicated system when most of us never had to use unemployment before!!! ur best bet is to appeal and hope u get a sympathetic hearing officer

You should definitely file an appeal within 14 days of receiving the official denial letter. While the agent can see it's marked for denial in the system, you still have appeal rights after the official determination is issued. In your appeal, focus on these points: 1. You received incorrect guidance from a TWC representative (be specific about the date of call if possible) 2. You were experiencing mental health challenges that affected your understanding 3. You immediately took action once you realized your error Also, if you called TWC during that period and have any phone records showing calls to their number, include those as evidence. Even without the rep's name, your phone records might help your case. One piece of good news: if your claim was reopened and you didn't have to file a new claim, you should still qualify for your previous weekly benefit amount.

You know what's crazy?? I've been trying to call TWC for THREE DAYS about an issue with my account being locked after ID.me verification and I can't get through! Busy signal every single time!!! How did you even manage to talk to someone TWICE?? I'm about to lose my mind over this.

Unfortunately, this is one of the most common issues people face with TWC. The "continuing to request payment" requirement trips up a LOT of first-time claimants. I work as an employment counselor, and here's what I can tell you: 1. TWC is extremely strict about the payment request timeline. Their position is that they provide this information in multiple places (online instructions, confirmation emails, the claim confirmation letter, and the claimant handbook). 2. For your appeal, you'll want to emphasize that you received specific verbal instructions from a TWC representative that you interpreted as telling you to stop requesting payments. 3. Document your mental health situation if possible - if you were under professional care during that time, a letter from your provider could help. 4. The appeal hearing will be scheduled within 4-6 weeks typically. It's usually done by phone. 5. In the meantime, make absolutely sure you're requesting payments correctly now that your claim is reopened. Mark your calendar with your payment request days. Also, be aware that even if your LLC was paying unemployment taxes on your behalf, you may face additional questions about your self-employment period. Make sure you have clear documentation of when you were doing contract work versus when you were fully unemployed.

Did the TWC rep say anything about how your freelance work might impact your eligibility? When I was on unemployment, I did some gig work and had to report every penny which reduced my benefits. You might want to check on that part too before your appeal.

TWC is actually pretty clear about all of this stuff if you read their materials. The handbook specifically says you MUST request payment every two weeks even if you're receiving severance. I don't mean to sound harsh, but they do provide all this information upfront. When you apply, there's even a certification where you agree that you understand the payment request requirements.

To follow up on my earlier comment - I'd recommend you also: 1. Contact your state representative's office. They often have staff who can help with TWC issues and sometimes get faster responses. 2. Submit a formal appeal as soon as you receive the official denial letter. Don't wait - you only have 14 calendar days. 3. In your appeal letter, be very specific about the date you called TWC, what you were told, and how you understood it. Explain that you were experiencing anxiety that affected your comprehension. 4. Request a phone hearing rather than just a document review. 5. Continue requesting payments every two weeks while your appeal is pending. Finally, if you're still struggling financially, check with local community organizations that might offer emergency assistance while you sort this out. Many counties have short-term help programs for families in crisis.