TWC error: Pushed '2' for unavailable to work but I AM available - Now benefits stopped!
I'm freaking out! Last month I made this stupid mistake during the automated TWC phone system. When it asked if I was available for full-time work, I accidentally pushed '2' meaning 'No' when I am ABSOLUTELY available to work! I've been trying to fix this error every single day, calling right when they open and throughout the day. NEVER got through - just busy signals or the automatic hang-up. Their online account system shows my account is disabled so I can't even fix it there! Now they've completely stopped my benefits for ALL following weeks saying I 'failed to contact them' about the issue. But I TRIED CONSTANTLY!!! I finally submitted an appeal but have no idea what happens next or how long this nightmare will take. Does anyone know what the appeal process involves? Will I get back payments once they realize it was just a button error? I have rent due next week and I'm seriously panicking.
19 comments
Join the conversation
Nasira Ibanez
The same thing happened to me back in February. The TWC automated system is terrible - one wrong button and everything falls apart! For the appeal process, you'll need to attend a telephone hearing where you explain what happened. They should send you a letter with the hearing date within 2-3 weeks. Make sure you gather evidence showing you tried to contact them (phone records showing calls to TWC numbers). In my case, they did eventually restore all my back payments after the hearing, but it took about 5 weeks total. Just make sure you keep requesting payment every two weeks even while your appeal is pending!
0 coins
Hugo Kass
•Thank you so much for the info! Did you have to do anything special to prepare for the hearing? I'm worried they won't believe me that it was just a mistake with the phone system. And 5 weeks sounds like forever when bills are due... :
0 coins
Khalil Urso
Call the TWC Tele-Serv number at exactly 7:00am when they open. If that doesn't work, try again at 7:01am, 7:02am, and 7:03am. I had success getting through using this method. Also, try the telecenter number at 1-800-939-6631 but call from a different phone than the one you normally use - sometimes their system blocks numbers that call too frequently.
0 coins
Myles Regis
•thats wat i always do too. call right at 7am and keep trying. works maybe 1 out of 10 times but better than nothing
0 coins
Brian Downey
THIS HAPPENS TO SO MANY PEOPLE!! The TWC phone system is DESIGNED to trick people! One wrong button and they cut your benefits and make it IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone to fix it. Then they blame YOU for not contacting them when their phone lines are ALWAYS busy! I made a similar mistake last year and it took nearly 8 WEEKS to resolve! The whole system is rigged to deny benefits however they can. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - every call attempt, every error message from the website. You'll need it for your appeal. The appeal judges are actually reasonable, unlike the rest of TWC's broken system.
0 coins
Jacinda Yu
•While I understand your frustration, the system isn't designed to trick people. It's just outdated technology that can't handle the volume of claims. I work with unemployment cases, and the best approach is to stay calm and follow the appeal process correctly. The hearing officers really do want to help resolve legitimate issues like accidental button presses.
0 coins
Jacinda Yu
When you attend your appeal hearing, make sure to emphasize these key points: 1) It was an accidental button press, 2) You attempted to contact TWC immediately to correct the error, 3) You remained available for full-time work the entire time, and 4) You continued looking for work and completing your work search activities. The determination letter you received should have instructions for the appeal process, including how to submit evidence. Keep requesting payment every two weeks during this process, answering all questions truthfully. If your appeal is successful, you'll receive all eligible back payments in a lump sum.
0 coins
Hugo Kass
•Thank you for the detailed advice! The determination letter just says I was disqualified because I'm "not available for work" and mentions the appeal deadline. Should I write up a statement explaining everything that happened? And should I mail it or can I submit it electronically?
0 coins
Landon Flounder
i did something like this once lol. pushed wrong number by accident. but i got lucky and actually got thru to someone after calling for like 3 days straight. they fixed it pretty quick once i talked to a real person. u just gotta keep trying different times of day
0 coins
Callum Savage
•The problem is actually getting through to anyone! I tried for 2 weeks before giving up last time I had an issue. Morning, afternoon, different phones, redial apps... nothing worked.
0 coins
Callum Savage
I had the EXACT same issue last year and was about to lose my mind trying to get through to TWC. After days of constant busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes. Basically they keep calling for you and then connect you when they get through. It worked perfectly and the agent was able to fix my mistaken button press immediately. Check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh or go to claimyr.com. Saved me weeks of stress and I got my payments back on track without having to go through the whole appeal process.
0 coins
Hugo Kass
•Omg this sounds like exactly what I need! I'll check out that video. I'm so desperate to talk to an actual person at this point. Did they fix your issue in just one call?
0 coins
Myles Regis
•i used that 2. it works but still took me like 40 mins to get thru. better than calling myself tho
0 coins
Jacinda Yu
Regarding your appeal: You should receive a hearing notice within 10-14 days with instructions on how to submit evidence. The notice will include a date and time for your telephone hearing with an Appeal Tribunal Officer. You'll want to prepare a brief statement explaining: 1) You made an unintentional error during the automated phone process, 2) You immediately tried to correct the error but couldn't reach anyone, and 3) You've remained available for full-time work throughout this period. Submit any evidence of your call attempts to TWC if you have phone records. Continue certifying for benefits every two weeks while waiting for your appeal, and make sure to complete your required 3 work search activities each week.
0 coins
Hugo Kass
•Thank you so much! This is really helpful. I'll start preparing my statement now and gathering my phone records. Do they record all the times I called the TWC number in their system, even if I didn't get through? Or do I need to provide my phone's call history?
0 coins
Myles Regis
my cousin had this same problem!!! she had to wait for appeal but they did pay her all the back money once they fixed it. took like a month tho
0 coins
Hugo Kass
•A month feels like forever right now but at least it's good to know they eventually paid the back benefits. I'm going to try some of these suggestions to reach someone directly first.
0 coins
Nasira Ibanez
One more important thing - when you have your appeal hearing, if the TWC representative asks when you realized you made a mistake, be honest about the exact date. If you say you knew immediately but waited several days to try to fix it, that could hurt your case. Also, keep a log of all your work search activities during this time and be prepared to show you've been actively looking for work. This proves you really are available for full-time work despite the button error. Good luck with everything!
0 coins
Hugo Kass
•That's good advice - I did realize it right away when I got the confirmation message saying I wasn't available. That's when I started frantically calling. I've definitely been keeping up with my work search activities and logging them in case they ask!
0 coins