TWC ruled me ineligible claiming I quit - but I was fired! What options besides appeal?

Unfortunately, filing an appeal is your main option here. TWC takes the employer's statement first, and many employers claim employees quit to avoid UI tax increases. Your best approach is to file the appeal immediately (you have 14 days from the date on your determination letter) and gather evidence: 1. Written statements from the coworkers who witnessed your firing 2. Any texts/emails discussing your termination 3. Final paystubs showing termination 4. Any performance reviews showing you were in good standing While waiting for your appeal, be sure to continue requesting payment every two weeks even though you'll be denied. This way if you win your appeal, you'll get backpay for all those weeks.

EXACT same thing happened to me in January!!! My boss fired me for being 5 min late (after 3 yrs working there with no issues) then told TWC i quit! The system is RIGGED to benefit employers and its total BS. I filed appeal but still waiting after 10 WEEKS with no hearing date!!!

I successfully won a similar case last year. Here's what you need to know: 1. Appeal is indeed your only option to reverse the determination 2. While waiting, request benefits every two weeks (even though they'll deny them) 3. Prepare for your hearing thoroughly - they typically last 30-45 minutes 4. You can request "expedited handling" if you're facing eviction or utility disconnection 5. Call TWC's Appeal Department directly at 512-463-2800 to check status For your hearing, focus on the specific words used during termination. Present evidence chronologically. If coworkers witnessed it, their testimony is crucial. One tip: if you were fired for questioning policy, frame it as asking for clarification rather than "challenging authority" - this distinction matters to hearing officers.

u can try contact ur state rep office they can somtimes help push TWC cases faster. google ur rep based on address and call their office. worked for my cousin last yr when he had simlar issue

I had this exact situation! My boss said I abandoned my job when actually he told me not to come back after I reported unsafe conditions. I waited 9 weeks for my appeal hearing and was eating ramen noodles every day trying to survive. I ended up winning but those 2 months were hell.

After trying to call TWC for two weeks (constant busy signals or disconnects), I finally used a service called Claimyr to get through to TWC. It cost money, but it was worth it because I got connected to a real agent in about 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh The agent I spoke with was able to add notes to my file about my employer's incorrect statement and flagged my case for faster review. While it didn't replace needing an appeal, I felt better knowing someone at TWC had heard my side before the hearing. The website is claimyr.com if you're interested.

Hear me out - is there ANY chance your employer would reconsider if you spoke directly with them? Sometimes HR doesn't know the full story and managers lie. If you can get them to submit a correction to TWC, it's way faster than appeals. Happened to my brother-in-law last year.

Another important thing to understand: in Texas, the burden of proof in a discharge case is on the employer. When they claim you quit, they must prove it was voluntary. During your appeal hearing, ask how they documented your supposed "voluntary quit" - did you sign a resignation letter? Did they have exit paperwork? If they have nothing in writing showing you quit, that strengthens your case significantly. Also, in your appeal letter, clearly state: "I was discharged by [manager name] on [date]. I did not quit or resign my position." This simple, direct statement is important for the record.

i got denied to and my freind told me to file for pua benifits instead but i dont know how to do that can anybody help?

yes after i won my apeeal i got all my back pay for the 9 weeks but it took another 2 weeks for it to hit my account. they paid all at once with no extra steps needed

try callng right wen they open at 7am. thats how i got thru last time

I went through this exact situation last year and won my appeal. Here's what I learned that might help: 1. File your appeal ASAP - you only have 14 calendar days from the determination date, not when you received it 2. In your appeal letter, be very specific: "I was terminated/fired by [manager name] on [date]. I did not quit, resign, or voluntarily leave my position." 3. Document everything NOW while it's fresh - write down exactly what your manager said, who was present, the date/time, etc. For faster results, try these approaches while waiting for your hearing: - Contact your state representative's office (they can sometimes expedite TWC cases) - Call TWC at exactly 7:00 AM when they open for better chance of getting through - Submit a written statement with your appeal explaining the situation in detail Most importantly: keep requesting benefits every two weeks even though you'll be denied. If you win your appeal, you'll get backpay for all those weeks. I got 11 weeks of backpay when I won mine. The system is definitely employer-friendly upfront, but appeals have a good success rate when you have clear evidence of termination vs. quitting. Stay strong and don't give up!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got denied because my employer claimed I was a "no call, no show" when they actually suspended me indefinitely after I raised safety concerns. It's so frustrating how employers can just lie to avoid paying into the system. One thing I learned from my research: make sure you keep detailed records of EVERYTHING during this process. Screenshot your TWC account showing you're requesting benefits each week, save all emails/texts related to your termination, and document every phone call you make to TWC (date, time, who you spoke with, what was discussed). Also, if you have any documentation from when you were employed - employee handbook, emails about the policy change you questioned, performance reviews, etc. - gather all of that for your appeal. The more evidence you have that shows you were a regular employee in good standing who was fired (not quit), the stronger your case will be. Hang in there - I know it's stressful when bills are piling up, but from what I've read on here, people who were genuinely fired (not quit) usually win their appeals when they have good documentation. Just gotta push through this awful waiting period.

I'm going through something similar right now and it's absolutely maddening! My employer told TWC I "abandoned my job" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. It's like they have a handbook on how to avoid paying unemployment taxes. One thing I discovered that might help speed things up: if you're facing immediate financial hardship (eviction notice, utility shutoff, etc.), you can request expedited processing of your appeal. You'll need to provide documentation of the hardship, but it can potentially cut weeks off the waiting time. Also, make sure when you file your appeal that you explicitly request a telephone hearing rather than in-person. Phone hearings are typically scheduled faster and you don't have to worry about taking time off work (if you find temp work) or transportation issues. I know it feels hopeless right now, but from everything I've read here, people who were genuinely fired usually win their appeals when they have witness statements and documentation. The initial determination process is heavily weighted toward employers, but the appeal hearings are more balanced. Keep your head up - this too shall pass, even though it feels endless right now. Document everything and start gathering those witness statements ASAP!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's unfortunately way too common for employers to lie about the circumstances of termination to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes. The good news is that you have witnesses who saw you get fired, which is huge for your case. A few things that might help while you're waiting for your appeal: 1. **Document the exact words used**: Write down everything your manager said when firing you, especially "pack your stuff and go" - that's clear termination language, not resignation language. 2. **Get witness statements NOW**: Reach out to those three coworkers who witnessed your firing. Ask them to write brief statements including the date, what they heard your manager say, and their contact info. The sooner you get these, the better. 3. **Keep all employment documentation**: Save any emails about the commission policy change you questioned, your final paystub showing termination date, and any performance reviews showing you were in good standing. 4. **Consider contacting your state representative**: They can sometimes help expedite TWC cases, especially when you're facing financial hardship. The initial determination process is heavily skewed toward employers, but appeal hearings are much more fair when you have solid evidence. You've got witnesses and a clear termination scenario - that puts you in a strong position to win. Hang in there, and make sure to keep requesting benefits every two weeks even though you're being denied. You'll get backpay for all those weeks when you win your appeal.

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with almost the exact same situation - my employer claimed I quit when I was actually terminated for "performance issues" (which were never documented or discussed with me beforehand). The whole system feels designed to favor employers from the start. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about requesting expedited processing for financial hardship or that state representatives could potentially help speed things up. I'm definitely going to try calling TWC right when they open at 7am like someone suggested - I've been trying to get through for over a week with no luck. One question for those who have been through the appeal process: How detailed should the written statement be when filing the appeal? Should I include every single detail about what led up to the termination, or just focus on the key facts that prove I was fired rather than quit? Also, for anyone who used witness statements - did your witnesses have to appear at the hearing, or were written statements enough? I have coworkers willing to help, but I'm worried about putting them in an awkward position with our former employer. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here. It helps knowing I'm not alone in dealing with this frustrating situation, even though it sucks that so many of us are going through it.