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TWC not returning calls after urgent letter requiring response by the 18th - any alternatives?

I'm seriously stressing out right now. Got this determination letter last week saying I MUST call TWC by the 18th (just 5 days from now!) about my unemployment benefits. The letter said it was urgent but didn't explain why they needed to talk to me. I've been calling their main number 800-939-6631 literally every day since last Tuesday, sometimes 8-10 times daily! When I finally get through the automated system, it just takes a message. I've left THREE voicemails already explaining my situation and nothing - no callback at all! The letter mentions possible 'adverse action' if I don't speak with them by the deadline. Has anyone dealt with this? Are there any other numbers I can try or some way to actually reach a human being at TWC? I'm worried my benefits are going to get cut off for something that might be easily fixed if they'd just call me back!

I had almost the same situation last month. Those letters are serious, and you definitely need to get through to them before the deadline. There are a couple of things you can try: 1. Call right when they open at 7:00 AM - I mean literally dial at 6:59 and hit call at 7:00 sharp. This slightly increases your chances. 2. Try the Telecenter alternate numbers: 512-340-4300 (Austin), 915-832-6400 (El Paso), or 956-984-4700 (McAllen) depending on what's closest to you. 3. Contact your state representative's office - they often have direct channels to TWC and can help escalate urgent cases. Also, check your TWC correspondence inbox online - sometimes they send clarification about what the issue is there, which might help you prepare when you do get through.

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Thank you!! I'll try the 7AM trick tomorrow and those other numbers. My letter just says to call about my "continued eligibility" but nothing specific. I checked my online account and there's nothing there explaining what the problem is. So stressful!

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I HATE how they do this!! They send these threatening letters then make it IMPOSSIBLE to actually reach them! This has happened to me TWICE and both times I was literally in tears from stress. The whole system is designed to make people give up. I ended up having to call over 200 times in 3 days before I finally got through last time. Keep trying different times of day - I found mid-afternoon on Wednesday was slightly better than other times.

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Yuki Ito

OMG yes!! And when you finally do get through, they act like it's no big deal that you've been trying for days! Makes me so mad. My letter said I had to call by a certain date about "potential ineligibility" and when I finally reached someone, it was just to verify one of my work search activities. They could have just sent an email for that!!

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Try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to TWC without spending hours redialing. They basically hold your place in line and call you when they have a TWC agent on the line. Saved me days of frustration when I had a similar urgent letter about my extended benefits. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Those determination letters with deadlines are no joke - it could be anything from a simple verification to questioning your work search activities or eligibility. Better to get it resolved before the deadline passes.

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has anyone actually used this? seems sketchy to me, like how would they get priority in the phone system?

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have u tried emailing ui.ombudsmen@twc.texas.gov ? thats another way to contact them. sometimes they respond faster to emails than phone calls. also make sure ur checking ur correspondence inbox on the twc website cuz sometimes they send messages there that explain why theyre trying to contact u

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I didn't know about that email address! Just sent them a message with my claim ID and phone number. I've been checking my inbox daily and there's nothing there explaining what they need from me. Just the vague letter saying to call.

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Another important tip - when you do get through, ask them to make a note in your file that you've been attempting to contact them before the deadline. This creates a record that you were trying to comply with their request, which can help if they try to take adverse action because you missed the deadline. Also, save your phone records showing all your call attempts as proof.

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This is excellent advice. Documentation is critical when dealing with TWC. I'd also recommend taking screenshots of any error messages when trying to access their system online, and keeping a log of all attempted contacts with dates and times. TWC appeal hearings often come down to who has better documentation of their efforts.

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my sister got one of those letters and it turned out they just needed to verify her identity again with id.me even tho she already did that when she first applied lol. such a waste of time and stress. but dont ignore it, my cousin did and they stopped his payments for like 6 weeks while he appealed

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Thanks for sharing that. It really could be something simple like ID verification. I did my ID.me stuff months ago but maybe it expired or something? So frustrating they can't just tell you what they need in the letter!

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I just went through this exact situation last month. If you've already left multiple voicemails with no response, I'd honestly recommend trying Claimyr. It cost me a bit but saved me days of stress and got me connected within a couple hours. My issue turned out to be that they needed additional documentation for one of my previous employers, and I only had 2 days left before my benefits would have been suspended. Another option is to contact the Workforce Solutions office in your area - sometimes they can help escalate urgent TWC issues or at least give you information about what the letter might be regarding.

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I'll check out that service if I can't get through tomorrow morning. I didn't know Workforce Solutions could help with this - there's one about 20 minutes from me. I might go there in person tomorrow if the early morning calls don't work out. My deadline is getting too close to keep taking chances.

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Yuki Ito

I had this EXACT same issue! Called 800-939-6631 like 50 times over 3 days and nothing but voicemail. The trick that finally worked for me was calling their Tele-Center number for my area (I used the Dallas one) right at 7:00:01 AM. Still took 4 tries but I finally got through on the 4th day. Turns out they just needed me to verify my last employer's contact information. All that stress for something so simple! 🤦‍♀️ Keep trying different numbers at different times. The system is absolutely horrible.

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SAME! Mine was because I supposedly entered one of my work search activities in the "wrong category" - like it literally could have been fixed in a 30-second email. Instead I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone. The whole system feels designed to make people give up their benefits out of pure frustration.

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Update from what I've heard: TWC was dealing with a backlog of verification issues recently, and many of these urgent letters were sent out in batches. Several people in my job networking group received similar notices. In most cases, it was related to either: 1. Income verification from a previous employer 2. Work search activity documentation 3. ID.me reverification 4. Questions about availability for work Whatever you do, don't miss that deadline - document all your attempts to contact them. Also, try the TWC Chat function on their website. It sometimes works for getting basic information even if you can't resolve the full issue that way.

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Thank you for this info! I've been doing my work search activities religiously and documenting everything, so hopefully it's just a verification issue. I'll try the chat function too, though in the past it's just directed me to call the same number I've been trying. Really appreciate all the suggestions from everyone!

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