I'm going through the exact same thing right now! It's so frustrating when you're already dealing with unemployment stress and then the system itself becomes another barrier. I've been trying for about a week too and getting nowhere. Reading all these comments is giving me hope though - sounds like persistence and timing are key. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy that everyone's recommending. Has anyone had success with the online chat feature, or is calling really the only way? Also wondering if there are certain days of the week that are better than others for getting through. Thanks for starting this thread - it's reassuring to know we're all in this together! 🙏

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to reset my PIN for almost two weeks and it's driving me crazy. The system keeps timing out whenever I try to do anything online, and getting through on the phone feels impossible. I've tried calling at different times of day but always get that busy signal or end up in an endless hold loop. Reading through all these comments is actually really helpful though - I had no idea so many other people were struggling with the same thing. Definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy that everyone's recommending. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts at gaming the phone system just to access benefits we've paid into, but I guess that's the reality. Thanks for posting this - sometimes just knowing you're not alone in the struggle makes a huge difference! 🤞

Thank you all for the helpful responses! Based on the consensus, I'm going to wait until my final payment processes (probably by Friday) and then request the waiting week. It's a relief to know I have 30 days to request it after exhaustion. I was worried there was some tight deadline I might miss. I'm still job hunting but have two promising interviews next week, so hopefully I won't need to worry about benefits extension or anything like that. This community has been so helpful during this stressful time!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else reading this thread - I went through the same process about 6 months ago. The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of all my payment dates and amounts. When I called to request my waiting week, the TWC agent was able to quickly verify my exhaustion date and process it immediately over the phone. Also, if you're having trouble getting through on the phone lines, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - I had better luck early in the morning. The automated system for requesting waiting weeks actually worked fine for me, so you might not even need to speak to a live agent. Hope this helps someone else going through this stressful process!

I just went through this exact same process 3 weeks ago! Here's what I learned: Your payment status page is definitely the best early indicator. I was checking obsessively every day and on day 9 after my hearing, I logged into the mobile app first thing in the morning and saw all my previously denied weeks had changed from "not paid - ineligible" to "pending payment." That was my first sign I won before getting any letter! The determination showed up in my online correspondence inbox that same evening, and my back payments ($5,400 total) hit my direct deposit exactly 3 business days later. Key tips: 1) Use the mobile app - it really does update faster than the website, 2) Focus on the Payment History page specifically, 3) Check your correspondence inbox daily, and 4) Keep submitting bi-weekly requests even while waiting. Since you were actually laid off (not fired for cause), you have a really strong case. The 7-14 day window seems to be the norm for most decisions. Hang in there - I know the waiting is torture but it usually works out for people in legitimate layoff situations like yours!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Had my appeal hearing 4 days ago after being wrongfully denied (laid off due to company restructuring but they claimed I voluntarily quit). Reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me so much hope and practical advice! I've been checking my account constantly but now I know to focus on the Payment History page on the mobile app instead of just refreshing the main dashboard. It's incredibly reassuring to see so many success stories from people who were legitimately laid off - the consistency in the 7-14 day timeline and the specific signs to watch for (status changing from "not payable" to "pending payment") is exactly what I needed to know. I'm owed about $3,800 in back benefits and honestly could really use some good news soon. Thank you to everyone who shared their detailed experiences and timelines! This thread has been a lifesaver for managing my anxiety during this brutal waiting period. I'll definitely keep you all posted when I see any status changes. Fingers crossed I'll be sharing good news in a few days! 🤞

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - if you have the TWC mobile app, you can actually request expedited delivery of your ReliaCard for a small fee (I think it was around $25). I was in a similar bind with rent due and couldn't wait for the regular mail delivery. The expedited card arrived in 2 business days via FedEx. You can request this through the app under "Payment Method" settings. It's more expensive than the emergency transfer fee, but faster if you absolutely need the physical card for some reason.

I went through this same nightmare just two months ago! Here's what I learned: You have THREE main options to get your money before the card arrives. 1) Call US Bank ReliaCard at 1-800-657-6343 and request your card number after identity verification (takes 30-45 mins total but works), 2) Request emergency transfer for $15 fee (also through that same number), or 3) Use the TWC app to expedite card delivery for $25 (arrives in 2 days). The emergency transfer was fastest for me - had the money in my regular bank account within 24 hours. Don't let them tell you that you HAVE to wait for the physical card - that's not true! You just need to be persistent and know which options to ask for.

I'm currently going through a very similar situation with a healthcare administration certificate program at San Antonio College (8 hours/week, evening classes) and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was really panicking about whether to report it to TWC, but reading through everyone's detailed experiences has completely changed my perspective. The consistent message seems clear: be honest, report it immediately, keep detailed work search records, and emphasize your availability for full-time work. What really stands out to me is how understanding TWC examiners have been when people demonstrate genuine job search efforts alongside their training. @Sophia Gabriel - your follow-up was especially helpful since you're the original poster! Knowing that your benefits continued without interruption and that the examiner called your schedule "very reasonable" gives me so much confidence. @Giovanni Mancini and @Marina Hendrix - your detailed accounts of the actual phone conversations are exactly what I needed to prepare myself mentally. I'm planning to report my program on next week's payment request. Like many others here, I can clearly connect my healthcare admin training to better job prospects (transitioning from general office work to healthcare), and my evening schedule shouldn't conflict with job searching or interviews. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive resource - I'll definitely update with my experience to help future people in similar situations!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just started a cybersecurity fundamentals course at Houston Community College (10 hours/week, Monday and Wednesday evenings plus some weekend lab work) and was really nervous about how TWC would handle it. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially the detailed follow-ups from @Sophia Gabriel, @Giovanni Mancini, and @Marina Hendrix - has given me so much confidence about being upfront and honest. The consistent theme seems to be that TWC actually supports career-focused training as long as you can demonstrate you're still genuinely available for work. I'm planning to report it on my payment request this Friday. My schedule is pretty flexible since it's mostly evenings, and I can definitely skip classes for job interviews or start work immediately if I get an offer. The cybersecurity field is booming in Houston, so I'm hoping TWC will view this training as positively as they did @Giovanni Mancini's data analytics program. One question for those who've been through the process: did any of you get asked about how you're financing the course? I'm paying out of pocket (not using financial aid) and wondering if that comes up during the examiner interview. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community is amazing for navigating these tricky situations!