TWC denied my final week payment claim - worth appealing?
So frustrated with TWC right now! I was only unemployed for 5 weeks total before finding a new job (yay!). I requested payment for all 5 weeks through the TWC portal, but after 3 weeks of waiting for my final payment, nothing showed up. I called TWC and the agent said their system shows no record of my last payment request submission for week 5, even though I KNOW I submitted it online just like all the previous weeks. The agent submitted a backdate request for that final week, but when I checked my account status the next day, they DENIED my claim for that week! I was 100% honest about everything - told them exactly when I started my new job, reported all my work search activities properly, everything by the book. They're seriously trying to avoid paying me for one legitimate week of unemployment because they claim they had "no known system issues that day"? Has anyone successfully appealed something like this? It's only one week's worth of benefits (about $550), but it's the principle - I followed all the rules and their system clearly glitched. Is going through the appeal process even worth the hassle?
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Amara Nnamani
omg the EXACT same thing happened to my roommate last month!! she got a new job after 8 weeks but TWC claimed they never got her final payment request. she didn't bother appealing bc it was too much paperwork for just one week. TWC is so messed up sometimes
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GalacticGuru
•Ugh, that's discouraging to hear. Did she try calling them multiple times? I'm wondering if I just try again with a different agent if I might get a better result without having to go through a formal appeal.
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Giovanni Mancini
Yes, it's worth appealing! I've successfully appealed a similar issue. TWC's online system has glitches that they don't always acknowledge. For your appeal, you'll need: 1. Screenshots of any confirmation screens you might have (even if they're from other weeks) 2. Your work search logs showing you were eligible that week 3. A timeline of events including exact dates you submitted requests 4. Documentation showing your new employment start date Make sure you file within 14 calendar days of the determination. The appeal process is straightforward - you'll get a hearing by phone with a hearing officer who can overturn the decision. In my experience, they often rule in favor of the claimant when it's a system issue.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
•The appeal proccess is NOT "straightforward"!!! I waited 3 MONTHS for my appeal hearing and had to reschedule twice because they only gave me 2 days notice. Then the hearing officer was completely unsympathetic. They denied my appeal for a similar issue and I wasted all that time. Just be ready for a long frustrating process if you decide to fight it.
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Dylan Cooper
I think you should consider if $550 is worth your time. The appeal process can take weeks or even months, and you'll need to be available for the phone hearing. You might have to take time off your new job for this. Also, success isn't guaranteed - it comes down to whether you can prove you actually submitted the request versus them saying their records show you didn't. One thing to try before appealing - call TWC again, but use Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through quickly instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a service that gets you connected to a TWC agent in minutes instead of hours. Check their video demo: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh A different agent might help resolve this without the formal appeal process. Ask to speak with a supervisor who has more authority to override system issues.
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GalacticGuru
•Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn't heard of Claimyr before. I spent over 2 hours on hold the first time I called, so anything that helps avoid that would be worth it. I'll try getting through to a different agent first before going the appeal route.
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Sofia Morales
this is why i always take screenshots of EVERYTHING when dealing with TWC!!! learned my lesson the hard way after they denied my payment request last year. now i have a folder on my computer with dated screenshots of every single submission i make. its stupid we have to do this but it saved me once already
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StarSailor
•Taking screenshots is absolutely essential when dealing with TWC's online system. I also recommend keeping a document with dates, confirmation numbers, and notes from any phone conversations (including agent ID numbers). For future reference, you can also request payment through the TeleServ phone system at 800-558-8321 as a backup if the website seems glitchy. The system will provide a confirmation number that's easier to track than the online submissions.
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Dmitry Ivanov
Not to be that person, but I went through something kinda similar and found out later that I actually DID mess up my final request. I thought I completed it but must have missed the final submit button or something. Just throwing it out there - is there any chance you might have not fully completed the submission process? The TWC website is really confusing with all those screens.
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GalacticGuru
•I've definitely considered that possibility! But I went through the exact same process I did for the previous 4 weeks that were processed successfully. The TWC website does have a lot of confirmation screens though, so I guess it's possible I missed the final submission somehow. That's what makes this so frustrating - with no confirmation emails or receipts, it's just my word against their system logs.
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StarSailor
Here's what you need to know about TWC appeals for missing payment requests: 1. File your appeal within 14 calendar days (not business days) of receiving the determination letter 2. In your appeal statement, specifically mention "technical error" or "system failure" rather than just saying you know you submitted it 3. Request your TWC account access logs through the appeal process - this can sometimes show you accessed the system even if the final submission wasn't recorded 4. Have documentation ready showing you were actively seeking work that week and were otherwise eligible 5. Note in your appeal that you have a consistent history of properly requesting payments for previous weeks For a single week's payment with otherwise consistent history, appeals are often successful. The hearing officer will likely ask why you waited 3 weeks before inquiring about the missing payment, so be prepared to address that question.
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GalacticGuru
•This is really helpful information! I didn't know I could request my account access logs - that might actually show I was on the payment request pages that day. And you make a good point about explaining the 3-week gap. Honestly, I just assumed processing was slow since my previous payments sometimes took 2+ weeks to arrive.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
The whole system is RIGGED to deny people their benefits!!! My cousin works for TWC (not in claims dept) and she says their managers literally get BONUSES for keeping payout rates low!!! They WANT the system to be confusing so people give up. They know exactly what they're doing with these "glitches"! Appeal it just to make them do the work!
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Dylan Cooper
•I understand your frustration, but this information about bonuses for denying claims isn't accurate. TWC is a state agency that follows federal guidelines for unemployment insurance. Their funding and performance metrics don't reward claim denials. The system does have legitimate technical issues and bureaucratic problems, but there's no conspiracy to deny valid claims. They're just understaffed and working with outdated technology.
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Ava Garcia
im about to start a new job next week after unemployment and now im worried the same thing will happen with my final payment! does anyone know if theres a way to get proof when you submit a payment request? like maybe print the screen or something?
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StarSailor
•Yes, always take screenshots at each step of the submission process. Most importantly, take a screenshot of the final confirmation page that shows your request was successfully submitted. Also note the date, time, and confirmation number if provided. Many browsers allow you to print to PDF which creates a more tamper-proof record than screenshots. For extra protection, you can also request payment via the TeleServ phone system (800-558-8321) where you'll receive a verbal confirmation number that you should write down.
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Giovanni Mancini
Quick update on appeal timing: As of 2025, TWC appeal hearings for payment request issues are currently being scheduled about 4-6 weeks out from filing. This is actually faster than it was last year when the backlog was much worse. So if you do decide to appeal, you might not have to wait as long as some people experienced in the past.
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GalacticGuru
•That's good to know! I think I'm going to try calling again first using that Claimyr service someone mentioned, but if that doesn't work, I'll definitely file the appeal. 4-6 weeks isn't ideal but it's better than the 3+ months some people were mentioning.
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