I just wanted to update everyone! I went to the TWC office this morning with all my documents as suggested. There was about an hour wait, but the staff member was able to verify my identity and unlock my account on the spot! She said they've been overwhelmed with these lockout issues since they implemented stricter security measures in January. For anyone facing the same problem - YES, definitely go to the office! Just make sure it's a main Workforce Solutions center, not a satellite location. Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out!

As someone who's been through this exact situation twice, I can confirm that visiting the office is absolutely worth it! I had the same lockout issue about 6 months ago and the phone support was completely useless. Drove to my local Workforce Solutions office and they had me unlocked within 15 minutes after verifying my identity. The key is to bring your driver's license, Social Security card, and any TWC correspondence you have. Also, try to go early in the morning right when they open - the wait times are much shorter then. Don't waste any more time with that phone number, just go in person before your payment deadline!

Congratulations on winning your appeal! 🎉 That's such a huge victory after 2 months of fighting. I went through a very similar situation last year - also had a separation issue where TWC initially ruled I "quit without good cause" when I was actually let go due to company restructuring. Based on my experience, you're looking at about 6-8 business days from the "Decision Mailed" status to seeing that money in your account. Here's what my timeline looked like: - Days 1-3: Status stayed "Decision Mailed" with no activity - Day 4: Decision letter appeared in my correspondence inbox - Day 7: Payment status changed to "processed" for each week - Day 8: Full backpay hit my direct deposit A couple things that really helped me during the wait: 1. Check both the TWC website AND the Tele-Serv line (800-558-8321) daily - they sometimes update at different times 2. Set up text alerts through your bank so you get notified instantly when the deposit hits 3. Keep doing those weekly payment requests (sounds like you're already on top of this!) That $4,200 is going to be such a relief when it finally comes through! The hardest part is definitely behind you now. Keep us posted on your timeline - it really helps others who are going through similar situations. You've earned this! 💪

Congratulations on winning your appeal! 🎉 That's fantastic news after such a long battle with TWC. I went through something very similar earlier this year - also had a separation issue where they initially claimed I "voluntarily quit" when I was actually terminated due to company layoffs. From my experience and what I've seen others go through in this community, you're typically looking at 5-10 business days from the "Appeal Complete - Decision Mailed" status to actually seeing that money hit your account. Here's what helped me during the waiting period: 1. Check both the TWC website AND the Tele-Serv automated line (800-558-8321) daily - they don't always update at the same time 2. Keep an eye on your correspondence inbox - the official decision letter usually appears there within 2-4 days 3. Set up alerts through your bank so you get notified immediately when that deposit comes through 4. Continue doing your weekly payment requests religiously (sounds like you're already on top of this!) In my case, it took 7 business days total from seeing "Decision Mailed" to having the full backpay in my account. The money came as one lump sum which was perfect for catching up on all those overdue bills! Just remember that taxes will be withheld from the total amount. You're in the home stretch now - the hardest part (winning the actual appeal) is behind you! That $4,200 is going to feel amazing when it finally comes through. The waiting is brutal when bills are piling up, but you're so close. Keep us posted on your timeline - it really helps others in similar situations know what to expect. You've got this! 💪

Emma, I've been reading through this entire thread and I'm really impressed with how proactive you're being about this situation. You've gotten some amazing advice here! I went through benefit exhaustion about 6 months ago and it was such a stressful time, but having a clear plan like you do now makes all the difference. One small thing I'd add to all the great suggestions - when you're on the call tomorrow, if they put you on hold at any point, don't hang up even if it takes forever. I made that mistake once and had to start the whole process over. Also, if they give you any case numbers or reference numbers, write them down immediately. I've found that having those numbers can really speed things up if you need to call back later. Your Amazon earnings sound promising based on what others have shared here. The fact that you've been keeping up with those $0 payment requests and documenting everything shows you're doing everything right. Really hoping your call tomorrow leads to some good news - this thread has been so educational for all of us dealing with TWC issues. Can't wait to hear your update!

Emma, I've been following your thread and wanted to share something that might help. I went through almost the exact same situation last year - exhausted benefits mid-claim year after getting some part-time work. The key thing that saved me was learning about Texas's "interim benefits" option that most people don't know about. When you talk to TWC tomorrow, specifically ask if you qualify for "interim monetary determination" based on your Amazon wages. This is different from filing a new claim - it's basically TWC reviewing whether your new earnings create additional benefit eligibility within your existing claim year. With $2,400 in wages, you might qualify for what they call "additional monetary determination." Also, don't let them rush you off the phone. I made the mistake of accepting the first "no" I got, but when I called back and got a different rep, they found options the first person didn't mention. Ask them to transfer you to the "monetary determinations unit" specifically - they handle these complex cases better than general customer service. One last thing - if you get approved for additional benefits, ask about expedited payment processing since you're in financial hardship. They sometimes can fast-track the first payment. Good luck tomorrow - really hope you get some relief!

UPDATE: I finally got it resolved! For anyone with similar problems in the future: I ended up using Claimyr this morning (the service someone mentioned above) and got connected to a TWC rep in about 30 minutes. The rep was able to reset my PIN, help me file my initial claim, AND backdate it to my actual layoff date four weeks ago. She said they've been having major system problems with PIN resets for the past month, which explains why none of my contact requests were answered. Now I just need to wait 2-3 weeks for the claim to process, but at least I'm in the system now! Thanks to everyone who offered advice. This has been incredibly stressful but I'm so relieved to finally have it submitted.

Congratulations on getting it resolved! Your post is going to be so helpful for others dealing with this same nightmare. I went through something similar last year and it's amazing how broken the TWC system is for something so basic as a PIN reset. The fact that you had to pay a third-party service just to reach a human being at a government agency is pretty ridiculous, but I'm glad it worked out. Make sure to keep detailed records of all your payment requests and job search activities going forward - TWC loves to randomly audit people and ask for documentation weeks later.

I'm a former TWC employee and want to clarify something important that might help with your planning. While it's true that benefits stop on your work start date, there's one detail that sometimes gets overlooked: if you're starting work mid-week during your benefit week, you can still claim partial benefits for the days you didn't work in that week. For example, if your benefit week runs Sunday-Saturday and you start work on Wednesday, you can claim benefits for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of that week. This won't solve the whole 3-week gap, but it might give you a few extra days of coverage. Also, make sure you understand exactly when your benefit week starts and ends - this timing could make a difference in maximizing your final payment. Best of luck with the new job!

I'm a financial counselor and see this situation frequently. Here are some immediate steps that might help bridge that 3-week gap: 1) Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local emergency assistance programs for rent, utilities, and food, 2) Many employers have employee assistance programs (EAPs) that offer small emergency loans or advances even for new hires - ask HR about this on your first day, 3) Some banks offer "early pay" services if you can show proof of employment and direct deposit setup, 4) Look into local "diaper banks" or family resource centers - they often have emergency cash assistance beyond just baby supplies, 5) Consider a small cash advance app like Earnin or Dave if you can show proof of employment. Document everything with your job offer letter and keep receipts - this temporary hardship might be tax deductible as job search expenses. The key is being proactive and asking for help early rather than waiting until bills are overdue. Congratulations on the new position!