TWC denied my benefits after working while caring for my nephew - can I appeal?

Yes, you should definitely appeal! Texas does recognize certain caregiving responsibilities as good cause for leaving employment, but you'll need to present your case clearly. In your appeal, include: 1. Legal custody documentation 2. Your nephew's school enrollment records from August-December 3. Documentation showing you're the primary caregiver 4. A detailed explanation of the scheduling conflict 5. Any communication with your employer trying to resolve the situation Make sure to file within that 14-day window. The appeals process can take 4-6 weeks, but you should continue requesting payment every two weeks even while waiting for the appeal decision.

i went thru something kinda similar last year when my mom got sick and TWC denied me at first too. the key is proving u had NO CHOICE but to quit. if u could have asked for different hours or something they might say u didnt try everything.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST CAREGIVERS!!! I went through this EXACT SAME THING when I had to quit to take care of my elderly father. TWC doesn't care about family responsibilities AT ALL. They denied my appeal and I had to wait 6 weeks with NO INCOME before I found another job. Their "good cause" standards are impossible to meet unless you have doctors notes and 50 pages of documentation. Good luck but don't get your hopes up.

Have you tried calling TWC to ask about your specific situation? Sometimes the workers can give you better guidance than what's in the determination letter.

just wondering... did u tell ur employer why u were quitting? do u have that in writing anywhere? that might help ur case

When I appealed my determination last year, I learned that having proper documentation is EVERYTHING. Here's what I suggest based on my experience: 1. File your appeal immediately - don't wait until the end of the 14 days 2. In your appeal letter, focus on the fact that you had NO REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE to quitting 3. Get a signed statement from your nephew's school showing his enrollment dates and schedule 4. Include any documentation about your custody arrangement 5. If possible, get something from your former employer acknowledging they couldn't accommodate your schedule needs Since you didn't formally request accommodation, be prepared to explain why that wasn't feasible in your appeal. Also, make sure you're meeting the work search requirements (3 job searches per week) while your appeal is pending. This way, if you win your appeal, you can receive back payments for the weeks you properly requested payment.

I used to work for TWC (not anymore) so I can give you some insider perspective. Under Texas Workforce Commission rules, quitting to care for a family member CAN be considered good cause, but you need to prove two things: 1. That you truly had no reasonable alternative to quitting 2. That you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment before quitting The second point might be your challenge since you didn't formally request accommodation. However, if you can demonstrate that such a request would have been futile (company policy, nature of work, etc.), you may still have a case. Prepare a detailed timeline showing: - When you obtained custody - When your nephew went to stay with his father - When you started the job - When you learned your nephew would return - When you informed your employer - Your nephew's school schedule Be truthful but thorough in your appeal. The hearing officer will appreciate clear documentation more than emotional appeals.

not to go off topic but this reminds me of my tax question... if I have custody of my nephew but he stays with his dad during summer can I still claim him on taxes?

I just tried the Claimyr service that someone mentioned, and it actually worked! I got through to TWC after trying for days. The agent I spoke with recommended I submit a statement explaining exactly why I couldn't request accommodation (the rigid shift schedule and mandatory overtime). She also suggested getting a written statement from one of my former coworkers confirming the company's inflexible scheduling policy. I'm feeling much more hopeful about my appeal now. Thanks everyone for all your advice!