TWC reversed overpayment after employer error - will I get my $140 refunded?
I'm in a weird situation with TWC and hoping someone can help. My husband was mistakenly charged with a $640 overpayment when his employer mixed him up with someone else (same last name, different department). We panicked and went ahead and paid back $140 of it right away because we didn't want his unemployment benefits to stop or have future problems. He filed an appeal with all the documentation showing it was a case of mistaken identity, and yesterday we got the determination letter saying the decision was REVERSED! The letter says the overpayment has been completely removed from his account. But here's my question - will TWC automatically refund the $140 we already paid back? The determination letter doesn't mention anything about refunding money already paid. Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Do we need to call them or will they just send a check? I've tried calling the overpayment collections department 3 times today and can't get through.
17 comments
Fatima Al-Hashimi
Congrats on winning the appeal! TWC should automatically refund any overpayment money you've already returned when the decision is reversed, but it won't happen instantly. In my experience, they'll process the refund within 2-3 weeks after the appeal decision is finalized. The system needs time to update. Make sure to keep a copy of that determination letter! If you don't see the refund after about 3 weeks, call the TWC Tele-Serv automated system first (800-558-8321) and check if there's any pending payment information. If nothing shows up there, then you'll need to contact a TWC representative directly.
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Giovanni Conti
•Thank you! That's reassuring to hear. I'll watch for the refund in the next few weeks. Does it usually come as a direct deposit or do they mail a check?
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NeonNova
id just keep calling tbh cuz ive seen them mess up refunds before. my cousin had to wait 2 months to get his money back. the system doesnt alwys fix itself
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Dylan Campbell
•THIS!!! The TWC system is BROKEN when it comes to refunding money. I had an overpayment of $1,200 that was reversed after I proved I reported my part-time income correctly. They took 10 WEEKS to refund my money and I had to call 20+ times!!!! Document EVERYTHING and be prepared to follow up weekly. They won't automatically give you back YOUR money without you pushing for it!!!!
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Sofia Hernandez
Similar thing happened to me last year! Got my money back after about a month. No need to worry!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
You will get your refund, but you need to be proactive. Based on my experience helping claimants with TWC issues, here's what you should do: 1. First, wait 10-14 business days after receiving the determination letter. The system needs time to process the reversal. 2. If nothing appears by then, call the TWC Tele-Center. However, getting through can be extremely difficult. If you're struggling to reach them, I recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they've helped many of my clients get through to TWC quickly. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh 3. When you do get through, specifically ask for the "Benefit Payment Control" department, as they handle overpayment refunds. Regular claim specialists often can't process these refunds. 4. Have your determination letter and proof of your $140 payment ready. The refund will typically come in the same form as your original repayment - check if you paid by check, direct deposit if you paid electronically.
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Giovanni Conti
•Thank you so much for the detailed steps! I didn't know about the Benefit Payment Control department - that's really helpful. I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if I can't get through in the next couple weeks. Do you know if there's a specific timeframe when it's best to call TWC?
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Early mornings (7:00-7:30am) on Tuesdays or Wednesdays tend to have the shortest wait times. Avoid Mondays and lunch hours completely. But honestly, even at the "best" times, you might still face long waits. That's why many people use call services now - the regular phone system is overwhelmed with the volume of callers.
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Ava Thompson
I had something kinda similar happen but it was because they said I didn't report earnings which I totally did!!! The appeal took FOREVER and by the time they fixed it I had already paid back like $225 of the $580 they said I owed. But then the weirdest thing happened cause they refunded me $580 instead of just the $225 I paid!!! I called them about it and was on hold for like 2 hours and the lady said the system sometimes does that and to just keep the money!! So sometimes their mistakes actually work in your favor LOL!!
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Miguel Ramos
•I wouldn't count on that happening - you got really lucky! Most people I know have had to fight for every penny back from TWC. I had an overpayment issue last year and they claimed they sent me a refund check that I never received. Then I had to wait ANOTHER 6 weeks for them to cancel that check and reissue a new one. The whole system is a mess!
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Sofia Hernandez
Just wondering - did you guys pay the overpayment through the online portal or by mailing a check? Might make a difference in how fast you get refunded.
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Giovanni Conti
•We paid through the online portal with a debit card. I'm hoping that means they can refund it back to the same card, but who knows with TWC systems.
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NeonNova
check ur bank statement sometimes they put it back but dont tell u. my brother in law got like $300 back and didnt even notice for like 3 weeks lol
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
Just to update you on what to expect - the refund process has three main phases: 1. Reversal Processing (5-10 business days): The system has to fully process the appeal decision and remove the overpayment from your account. 2. Refund Authorization (3-5 business days): Once the overpayment is cleared, a separate department has to authorize the refund payment. 3. Payment Processing (3-7 business days): The actual refund gets processed by the Treasury department. So all in all, you're looking at about 2-4 weeks total. Electronic payments are usually faster than mailed checks. And definitely keep checking your account online - sometimes the refund shows up there before you get any notification.
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Giovanni Conti
•This is super helpful - thank you! I'll keep an eye on all three phases. The transparency really helps set expectations.
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Miguel Ramos
Don't trust the timeline people are giving you. I won my appeal in January and I'm STILL fighting to get my $470 back from TWC. The system is completely broken. I've called at least 30 times and keep getting different answers. One rep tells me it's "processing" and another says they have "no record" of a refund request. Then another says it's "approved but pending". If I were you, I'd start calling immediately and document EVERYTHING - get names, ID numbers of who you speak with, confirmation numbers, etc. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these people!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•While I understand your frustration, most overpayment refunds don't take nearly that long. There was likely a specific issue with your case. Based on the hundreds of claimants I've worked with, the vast majority of refunds are processed within 30 days after appeal decisions. That said, your advice about documentation is absolutely correct - always get confirmation numbers and representative IDs for any TWC interaction.
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