This thread has been absolutely invaluable! 🙌 I'm dealing with this exact same issue and was starting to panic before finding all this amazing advice. Based on everything I'm reading here, I'm planning my attack strategy for tomorrow: • Call at 7:59 and start dialing right at 8:00 AM sharp • Have my SSN, submission timestamp, and any confirmation emails ready • Ask them to check the "backend processing system" and "internal processing queue" • If they find it, request they "manually process" it and send email confirmation • Get rep name and case reference number • Absolutely NO resubmitting until they've checked thoroughly It's honestly insane that we need a PhD in TWC system architecture just to get our benefits, but this community knowledge is gold. The fact that so many people have experienced the same "sync issue" between their public portal and internal database gives me hope this is just another annoying glitch rather than a real problem. Thanks to everyone who shared their battle-tested strategies - you're all lifesavers! Will report back on how the call goes. We're all stronger when we help each other navigate this bureaucratic nightmare! 💪✊

This exact thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago and I was absolutely panicking! 😰 After reading all the amazing advice in this thread, I wanted to add a few things that helped me: • When you call at 8 AM (definitely do this!), if you get the automated system, press 1-2-1 to get to the payment request issues queue faster • Write down EVERYTHING during your call - rep's name, time, what they found, what they did. I had to call back twice and having those notes saved me so much time • If the first rep seems clueless about backend systems, don't be afraid to politely say "I need to speak with someone in technical support who can access your internal processing database" • After they manually process it, ask when you should expect to see it reflected in your account AND in your payment - sometimes there's a delay between the two The whole experience taught me to treat every TWC interaction like I'm documenting for court 📝 Sad but true! Also want to echo what others said - DON'T panic and don't resubmit. In my case, they found my request within 5 minutes once I got the right person. The system sync issues are real but your submission is almost certainly there. You've got this! This community has your back! 💪

I just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this waiting period. My "under review" message disappeared last week and I got my approval letter exactly 3 business days later. During those 3 days, I didn't see any other changes in my account - no updates to payment status, benefit amounts, or anything else. The determination letter just appeared in my correspondence inbox one morning when I logged in. I was approved for $380 weekly benefits. The key things that helped me during the wait: 1) I kept requesting payments as scheduled, 2) continued my work search activities, and 3) only checked my account twice daily instead of obsessing over it. The waiting is brutal but try to stay positive - from what I've seen in this community, the message disappearing is usually good news! Keep doing everything you're supposed to do and you should have your answer within the next few days.

I'm currently in the exact same situation - my "under review" message disappeared yesterday and I've been refreshing my account way too often since then! Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It sounds like the message disappearing is generally a positive sign that they've completed their review, and most people seem to get their determination letter within 2-5 business days after that happens. I've been continuing to request my weekly payments and keeping up with my work search activities like everyone recommended. The waiting is so stressful when you have bills piling up, but knowing that others have gone through this exact process and gotten approved gives me hope. I'm going to try following the advice about limiting myself to checking twice a day instead of obsessively refreshing. This community has been way more informative than anything on the official TWC website - thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and experiences!

Just wanted to share my perspective as someone who works in the benefits field (not for TWC, but familiar with these systems). What everyone's describing aligns with what I've been seeing across multiple state unemployment agencies - there's been a major push toward mandatory identity verification using ID.me since the pandemic fraud issues. The "risk-based" system that @Fatima Al-Farsi mentioned is spot on. While TWC might technically say it's not required for "all" claims, their algorithms are designed to flag the vast majority of applications for ID.me verification. Things like new IP addresses, minor discrepancies in personal info, or even filing outside normal business hours can trigger the requirement. My professional advice: Don't gamble on being in the small percentage who might not need it. The cost of being wrong (weeks of delays) far outweighs the 30 minutes it takes to set up ID.me proactively. Plus, having a verified ID.me account is becoming useful for other government services too - IRS, VA benefits, Social Security, etc. One additional tip from what I've seen: if you have any legal name changes (marriage, divorce, etc.), make sure your ID.me account reflects your current legal name exactly as it appears on your driver's license. Mismatches there can cause verification delays even after you complete the ID.me process.

I just filed my TWC claim this afternoon and wanted to add to the conversation with my fresh experience. ID.me verification was absolutely required - no way around it. The system immediately directed me to complete identity verification after I submitted my basic information. Since I read through this thread beforehand (thank you everyone!), I was prepared with my documents and had already created my ID.me account. The whole process took about 20 minutes. The facial recognition worked on the first try thanks to the lighting tips shared here - I sat near a window with natural light and made sure to remove my glasses. What I found interesting is that the TWC website now has a prominent notice right at the beginning of the application stating that identity verification will be required. They're definitely not trying to hide it anymore like some people experienced in the past. For anyone still on the fence about whether to set up ID.me beforehand - just do it. Based on every single recent experience shared in this thread, TWC is clearly requiring it for virtually all new claims in 2025. Having it ready made my application process so much smoother. Don't risk the delays when you're already dealing with job loss stress. The verification integrated seamlessly back to TWC once completed, and I was able to finish my application without any additional steps. Hopefully this helps others who are preparing to file!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process about 3 months ago. The anxiety while waiting is absolutely brutal - I remember refreshing that portal constantly! For what it's worth, TWC definitely uses your last work day (7/17) not your filing date. My timeline was pretty typical - filed on a Wednesday, got approved exactly 19 days later. The key things that helped me: 1) Keep doing those bi-weekly payment requests religiously even while under review, 2) Start your work search activities immediately (3 per week), and 3) keep detailed records of everything. I used a simple Google doc to track all my job applications with dates, company names, and confirmation emails. When I finally got approved, the backpay came through pretty quickly and covered from my last work day minus that waiting week everyone mentioned. Hang in there - 9 days in you're still well within the normal timeframe. The system works, it's just painfully slow!

Hey ApolloJackson! I just went through this exact situation about a month ago - also got laid off unexpectedly from my job and had to navigate the TWC system for the first time. Everyone here has given you really solid advice about the timing (they'll definitely use 7/17 as your effective date, not when you filed). One thing I wanted to add that helped me during the waiting period: if you have any items around your place you could sell quickly (old electronics, furniture you don't absolutely need, clothes, etc.), Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp can be surprisingly fast for getting some cash in hand. I sold an old laptop and some gaming equipment within a few days and it covered my grocery budget while waiting for approval. Not ideal obviously, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to bridge the gap. Also, many local libraries have job search resources and sometimes even job fairs or networking events that count toward your work search requirements. Kill two birds with one stone - job searching AND getting out of the house so you're not refreshing that portal every 5 minutes (trust me, I was there too!). The waiting is absolutely terrible but hang in there - almost everyone I know who filed eventually got approved, it's just a matter of time. You've got this!

I've been on unemployment for about 8 months now and went through an audit around month 5. One tip I'd add is to keep a simple spreadsheet or document on your phone/computer where you log each work search activity immediately after doing it. I found that trying to recreate my activities from memory weeks later was really difficult. Also, don't forget that networking activities count too! I attended a few virtual networking events through my local library and workforce center, and those counted as valid work search activities. LinkedIn networking (reaching out to people in your field, joining professional groups) can also count if you document it properly with screenshots of your messages or connection requests. The key is really just being consistent and thorough with your documentation. I know it feels like extra work when you're already stressed about finding a job, but it's so worth it for peace of mind. Good luck with your job search!

As someone who's been through multiple TWC audits, I want to emphasize how important it is to diversify your work search activities. While job applications are the most obvious choice, don't overlook other qualifying activities that might be easier to document: - Attending virtual job fairs (many are hosted weekly and you get confirmation emails) - Completing skills assessments or career tests through WorkInTexas.com - Attending free webinars about interviewing, resume writing, or industry trends - Visiting local workforce development centers for career counseling - Taking online courses related to your field (some count as reemployment activities) I keep a simple Google Doc that I update in real-time from my phone whenever I complete an activity. Include the date, time, activity type, company/organization name, and any confirmation numbers or contact information. Screenshots are your friend - I screenshot everything from application confirmations to webinar attendance certificates. One more tip: if you're doing in-person applications or networking, take a photo of the business storefront or get a business card. It adds credibility to your documentation and shows you were actually there. TWC auditors appreciate that level of detail.