Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might search this thread later - I had to request late twice due to family emergencies and both times got my payment within 3 business days max. The key thing I learned is to not panic and assume the worst when life gets in the way. TWC's system seems pretty robust for handling these situations, especially when you have a legitimate reason like a medical emergency. Also, if you're ever worried about timing with bills, most utility companies and even some landlords are understanding if you can show proof that you're receiving unemployment benefits and just had a processing delay. Keep those payment confirmations and screenshots of your TWC account status - they can really help when you need to explain a situation to creditors.

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with TWC myself and was terrified about what would happen if I ever had to request late. Seeing all these real experiences - especially that most people got their payments within 2-3 days even when requesting late - is such a huge relief. The medical emergency documentation tip is gold, and I had no idea banks processed TWC deposits at different speeds. Really appreciate everyone sharing actual timelines instead of just guessing. Bookmarking this for sure in case I ever need it. Hope OP's kid is doing much better now!

Congratulations on getting approved! I went through something very similar last year. The fact that you're seeing a payment with an offset definitely means your claim is approved and you're eligible for benefits. TWC automatically deducts overpayments from previous claims, so this is totally normal procedure. Just keep doing your payment requests on time and maintaining your work search requirements - you should see consistent payments every two weeks going forward. The deductions will continue until your old balance is paid off, then you'll get your full weekly benefit amount. It's such a relief when you finally see that first payment, even with the deduction!

Congratulations on getting your claim approved! Yes, seeing a payment with an offset/recoupment absolutely means your claim went through successfully. I had the exact same thing happen to me - they took out about $300 from my first few payments for an overpayment from 2022 that I had completely forgotten about. It's actually a good sign because it means TWC processed your claim, determined you're eligible, and their system is working to collect the old debt while still paying you benefits. Just make sure to keep track of how much they're deducting each time so you know when it's paid off. The stress of waiting for approval is the worst part - now you can focus on just maintaining your work search requirements and filing your payment requests on time!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's absolutely maddening when a government agency makes YOU pay for THEIR mistakes! I work in administrative law (different agency) and see this kind of thing way too often. A couple additional thoughts to add to all the excellent advice you've gotten: 1. When you file that AG complaint about the ignored Open Records Request, emphasize that TWC held your appeal hearing WITHOUT providing the requested records that were directly relevant to your case. This could potentially be grounds for procedural due process violations. 2. Consider requesting an "inability to pay" determination in addition to the hardship waiver. It's a slightly different process but can sometimes work when the hardship waiver doesn't. 3. If you have any email confirmations or reference numbers from your original unemployment applications or weekly certifications, include those with everything you submit. They help establish a paper trail. 4. Document your current financial situation thoroughly - bank statements, pay stubs, rent/mortgage, utilities, medical bills, etc. The more complete picture you can paint of genuine financial hardship, the better. The fact that you kept such detailed records of your calls is going to be your saving grace here. Don't let them intimidate you - you have more ammunition than you think!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this absolutely infuriating situation! As someone who just went through a similar nightmare with TWC, I wanted to share what ultimately worked for me. First off, your detailed call notes are GOLD. I had similar documentation and it made all the difference in my hardship waiver application. The key is being extremely specific about dates, times, rep names, and exactly what guidance they gave you. Here's my advice based on what worked: 1. **Hardship Waiver is your strongest option** - Focus heavily on this. In your application, create a timeline showing exactly when you called, who you spoke with, what they told you to do, and how you followed their instructions to the letter. 2. **Collections payment reduction** - When you call, have your monthly budget written out beforehand. Show them what you actually CAN afford (be honest but conservative). They have way more flexibility than they initially let on. 3. **State rep involvement is crucial** - This was what really got things moving for me. Their constituent services teams have direct contacts at TWC who can actually make decisions. 4. **Don't give up on those call recordings** - Keep pushing the AG's office about the ignored Open Records Request. Those recordings are evidence that you're entitled to see. The system absolutely IS designed to make you give up and just pay, but you have a strong case here. Your documentation puts you way ahead of most people in this situation. Hang in there and keep fighting - you've got this! Please keep us updated on your progress.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I submitted my appeal today and uploaded all my evidence. I'm going to reach out to my coworker tonight about being a witness. Feeling a bit more confident now about the process, even though the waiting is going to be tough. I'll update this thread after my hearing to let everyone know how it went!

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me during my appeal - if you have any email correspondence with HR or your supervisor about your termination, include those too. Even if they seem minor, they can help establish a timeline and show the employer's mindset. Also, during the hearing, speak slowly and clearly. The hearing officer is taking notes and sometimes asks you to repeat things. I was so nervous during mine that I talked way too fast at first. And don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand a question - it's better to ask than to give a confusing answer. One last tip: if your employer brings up past issues or tries to make it seem like this was part of a pattern, stick to the facts about this specific incident. They might try to muddy the waters by bringing up unrelated stuff from months ago. Your termination was about calling in sick with doctor's notes - that's your story and you should stick to it. You've got this! Having documentation is huge in these cases.

Anyone else think its weird that we can order a pizza with our fingerprint but cant reset a government PIN online? 🤔

Same thing happened to me a few months ago! The online PIN reset was completely broken. I ended up having to visit a local workforce center in person - took about 30 minutes and they reset it right there. Way faster than trying to get through on the phone. Check the TWC website for locations near you. Bring your ID and SSN just in case!