TWC investigating me again for quitting PRN job while on unemployment after layoff - could lose benefits?

You're in a tricky situation but don't panic yet. TWC has specific rules about this that might work in your favor. Since you're enrolled in a TWC-approved training program through Workforce Solutions, you may qualify for the \

Thank you SO MUCH for this information! I do have all the Workforce Solutions paperwork showing I'm in an approved training program. I didn't know about the Training Benefits provision - nobody at TWC mentioned this to me. I'll definitely emphasize these points when I talk to the investigator. This gives me some hope!

omg this EXACT thing happened to me last year!! i was laid off from my main teaching job but kept my weekend tutoring gig. when summer came i quit the tutoring to take classes for a certification and twc froze my benefits for like 3 weeks...it was such a headache!!

Did they end up approving your benefits again after the investigation? I'm so worried they'll deny me completely because of quitting the PRN job.

yeah they did approve me again but it took forever!! like 3 weeks with no money coming in. they asked for a bunch of proof about my classes and why i couldnt keep both. super stressful time but it worked out

This is actually a common TWC issue. The system automatically flags any job separation for investigation, but there's an important distinction in your case.\n\nTexas Workforce Commission bases benefit eligibility primarily on your primary job - the one that makes up the majority of your base period wages. Since you were laid off from your full-time hospital position, that should remain the determining factor for your eligibility.\n\nHowever, TWC does need to investigate any job separation to ensure it doesn't affect your eligibility. In most cases, if you voluntarily quit a secondary/part-time job while on unemployment, they'll evaluate whether you had \

Thank you for explaining this! I'll upload all my documentation to the portal tonight. Should I also call TWC again to explain my situation, or just wait for them to contact me about the investigation?

I would recommend both uploading the documents AND trying to speak with someone. Getting through to TWC can be extremely difficult though. Have you considered using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you get through to an actual TWC representative without waiting on hold forever. I used it when I had a similar issue and got through in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh that shows how it works. Being able to speak directly with a representative and explain your situation can sometimes resolve these issues much faster than waiting for the standard investigation process.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FIND ANY REASON TO DENY YOUR BENEFITS!!! This is EXACTLY what they do - they look for ANY technicality to disqualify you. I had something similar happen last year and it took MONTHS to resolve while I couldn't pay rent!!! TWC doesn't care that you're trying to better yourself with training or that you were laid off from your main job. They just see that you \

This is what I'm afraid of. I can't go months without income while fighting this. Did you end up winning your appeal? Was there anything specific that helped your case?

Yes I won on appeal but it took 7 WEEKS!! What helped was having DOCUMENTATION of everything - emails, texts, paperwork showing why I had to leave the second job. Also be SUPER CLEAR in your explanation, don't leave anything for them to misinterpret. The hearing officer was actually reasonable once I got to explain my situation. But those 7 weeks without benefits almost made me homeless!!

I went through something similar when I got laid off from my accounting job but quit my weekend retail position to do training. What the TWC rep told you isn't entirely accurate. They do have to investigate any job separation, but they don't automatically disqualify you for quitting a secondary job if you had good cause.\n\nHere's what helped me:\n1. I wrote a detailed letter explaining that my training was necessary to reenter the workforce full-time\n2. I got documentation from Workforce Solutions confirming my participation in approved training\n3. I requested an expedited review by calling multiple times (this was challenging)\n\nIn my case, they completed the investigation in about 2 weeks and maintained my eligibility based on the layoff from my primary job. The key is clearly documenting that the training program is approved by TWC/Workforce Solutions and that it directly conflicted with the PRN job schedule.\n\nGood luck with your CDL training! That's a solid career move.

Thank you for the detailed advice! I'll definitely write that letter explaining everything clearly. Did you send your letter through the TWC portal or mail it? And did you keep requesting payments during the investigation?

I uploaded mine to the TWC portal under the document upload section AND sent a physical copy through certified mail just to be safe. And yes, DEFINITELY keep requesting payments during the investigation period! If they approve you (which they likely will with the training documentation), they'll release all the held payments. If you stop requesting, you'll lose those weeks completely.

Workforce should hav told you this would happen! They know tbe rules. Btw is the cdl training really free? I heard they make u pay it back if u dont finish

The training is covered through a grant program, but you're right that there are conditions. You have to complete the program and work in the field for at least 6 months or you may have to repay a portion. I wish Workforce had warned me about this unemployment issue though!

Sounds like your going to be fine based on your on approved training. Just make sure you keep requesting payment even during the investigation - that's a mistake I made! I stopped requesting payment while they were investigating me and lost 2 weeks of benefits I could have gotten retroactively if I'd kept up with the requests.

That's really good to know. I'll definitely keep requesting payments even if they're on hold during the investigation. Thanks for the tip - I might have made that same mistake!

Just want to follow up on this thread - I'm curious if you've received any updates from TWC? The \

I just got off the phone with a TWC agent (finally!) who was much more helpful than the first one. She confirmed that since I'm in TWC-approved training, this should be considered

That's such great news! I'm really glad you got a more knowledgeable agent who could clarify the training benefits provision. It's frustrating how inconsistent the information can be between different TWC representatives. The fact that they're treating it as "good cause" because of the approved training program makes total sense - that's exactly what these workforce development programs are designed for. And having them expedite the review is huge since you're starting CDL training next week. Keep us updated on how it goes! Your situation will probably help other people in similar circumstances. CDL drivers are in such high demand right now, so this training investment should really pay off for you long-term.

I'm so relieved to see this positive update! Your experience really highlights how important it is to keep pushing for accurate information from TWC. It's unfortunate that the first representative gave you such alarming and incorrect advice about potentially losing all your benefits. This thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the Training Benefits provision for TWC-approved workforce programs. It makes complete sense that they would have protections in place for people trying to improve their job prospects through official training channels. The CDL field is booming right now, especially in Texas with all the logistics and transportation needs. You're making a smart career move that should lead to much better long-term employment opportunities than the PRN hospital work. I hope the expedited review goes smoothly and you can focus on your training without the stress of wondering about your benefits! Thanks for keeping everyone updated - this information will definitely help other community members who might face similar situations with secondary job separations during approved training programs.

This is such a great example of why persistence pays off when dealing with TWC! The difference between your first and second representatives is night and day - it really shows how important it is to keep trying until you get someone who actually understands the system. I've been working in workforce development for a few years now, and the Training Benefits provision is one of the most underutilized protections available to unemployed workers. The whole point of these TWC-approved training programs is to help people transition to better careers, so it would be completely counterproductive for them to penalize you for quitting a part-time job that conflicts with your training schedule. Your CDL training is going to be such a smart investment! The transportation industry in Texas is absolutely booming right now, and CDL drivers are seeing some of the best wages and benefits they've had in years. Plus, once you have that license, you'll have job security in a way that healthcare PRN work just can't provide. Thanks for sharing this whole experience - I'm sure it'll help a lot of people who find themselves in similar situations. It's a perfect reminder that sometimes you have to advocate for yourself and push back when you get incorrect information from government agencies. Wishing you all the best with your training program!