I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My RESEA appointment is scheduled for Friday but we have a winter storm warning with ice expected. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm going to start documenting everything today - taking screenshots of the weather alerts and keeping a log of all my contact attempts. It's frustrating that TWC makes this process so difficult, but it sounds like they will work with you if you follow the right steps and have proper documentation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Ethan Anderson for the detailed update on what actually worked! This is way more useful information than anything I could find on the official TWC website.

I'm really glad this thread exists! I'm scheduled for my first RESEA appointment next month and honestly had no clue what it was or how strict they are about it. Reading everyone's experiences - especially the success stories with proper documentation - makes me feel way less anxious about it. It's ridiculous that TWC doesn't make their emergency rescheduling procedures clearer on their website. You'd think with Texas weather being so unpredictable they'd have better systems in place. I'm definitely going to save all the contact methods and documentation tips from this thread just in case. Thanks to everyone for sharing real experiences instead of just complaining - this is actually actionable advice that could save someone's benefits!

I'm a former TWC claims specialist and want to add some insider perspective that might help you navigate this more effectively. **Timing is crucial with your application.** You mentioned your work anniversary is April 19th - that's actually significant because it affects your base period earnings calculation. If you file before then, your claim will be based on earnings from a period when you were working fewer hours at your previous job (or not working there at all). If you wait until after April 19th, you'll have a full quarter of higher earnings in your base period, which could mean higher weekly benefit amounts. **However,** don't wait too long because you want to establish your claim while you can clearly document the hour reduction pattern. The sweet spot might be filing right after April 19th if your hours are still being cut. **Key documentation to gather NOW:** - Paystubs showing the clear before/after hour reduction pattern - Any written communication about schedule changes - Your work schedule/timesheet records if you have access **For the "able and available" requirement:** Focus on your current ability to work your scheduled hours at your current job with your current restrictions. Don't volunteer information about future maternity leave plans unless directly asked. **One thing many people don't know:** You can file a wage protest if TWC initially calculates your benefits based on incomplete employer reporting. Employers sometimes underreport wages for pregnant employees who they're planning to push out. File that partial claim ASAP - you're leaving money on the table every week you delay. Good luck!

As someone who successfully navigated TWC benefits during pregnancy complications last year, I want to emphasize a few key points that haven't been mentioned yet: **Medical documentation is your friend.** Even if you don't have pregnancy complications now, start documenting any physical limitations or symptoms with your doctor. Things like fatigue, back pain, or mobility issues can all be legitimate work restrictions that support your claim. **Know your rights regarding pregnancy discrimination.** What you've described - hours being cut immediately after announcing pregnancy - is textbook discrimination. File a complaint with the EEOC even if you pursue TWC benefits. Having an active discrimination complaint actually strengthens your unemployment case because it shows the hour reduction wasn't for legitimate business reasons. **Consider your long-term strategy.** If you can establish partial unemployment now for reduced hours, you might be able to transition that to full unemployment later if your employer makes your work environment hostile enough that you have to quit (constructive dismissal). Document every interaction that makes you feel they're pushing you out. **Local resources matter more than state programs sometimes.** Check with your city/county for emergency assistance programs. Many have special funds for pregnant women that move much faster than state bureaucracy. Also contact local churches - many have benevolence funds regardless of membership. The most important thing is to act NOW on the partial unemployment claim. Every week you delay is money you can't get back retroactively. You're already dealing with discrimination - might as well get the benefits you're entitled to while fighting it. Stay strong mama! 💪

I'm currently 11 weeks into my Commission Appeal and honestly, this thread has become my lifeline for staying sane through this nightmare. My employer claimed "insubordination" when they were really eliminating my position due to budget cuts - classic fake misconduct to dodge UI payments. The financial destruction is complete at this point. I've burned through savings, maxed credit cards, moved in with relatives, and I'm doing DoorDash/Uber just to afford gas to keep job hunting. The psychological toll of seeing "payment withheld pending appeal" every two weeks while your life falls apart is indescribable. I called that direct appeals number (512-463-2826) yesterday and the agent said they're now processing cases from late March/early April. Since I filed in early February, I should theoretically hear something soon, but "soon" in TWC time could still mean weeks. She did confirm they have all my documentation, which is something. What keeps me going is reading everyone's stories here and realizing this is systematic employer fraud, not just bad luck. The pattern is so clear - companies lie about "misconduct" to avoid UI costs while we're left fighting for months just to get benefits we already earned through years of work. To anyone earlier in this process: document EVERYTHING, keep doing those payment requests religiously, call that direct number for status updates, and contact your state rep. Don't let this broken system exhaust you into giving up. We paid into unemployment insurance for exactly these situations, and we deserve better than bureaucratic warfare just to access our own money. Stay strong everyone - we're fighting the good fight against a rigged system!

I'm currently 4 weeks into my Commission Appeal and this entire thread has been incredibly validating - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and practical advice! My situation mirrors so many others here: employer claimed "failure to follow procedures" when they were really just downsizing my department to cut costs. The hearing officer completely ignored my documentation showing the real timeline of events. The financial anxiety is already crushing and I can't imagine how those of you at 8-12+ weeks are surviving this. I've been doing my payment requests every two weeks religiously, but that "payment withheld pending appeal" message feels like a knife twist each time when bills are piling up. Based on all the advice shared here, I'm definitely calling that direct appeals number (512-463-2826) this week and looking up my state rep. I also have some additional text messages from coworkers that weren't available during my original hearing, so the remand option sounds promising. What really strikes me reading all these stories is how employers have clearly figured out they can just fabricate "misconduct" claims to avoid UI costs while we're left fighting for months to get benefits we already paid for through years of work. It's systematic fraud disguised as individual case decisions. Thank you all for proving we're not alone in this fight against a system that seems designed to exhaust us into giving up. I'll definitely update with anything useful I learn from my calls. We paid into this system and we deserve so much better than this bureaucratic nightmare!

I've been dealing with TWC issues for months and I feel your frustration! One thing that worked for me was checking if there are any browser extensions or ad blockers that might be interfering with the login page. I had to disable mine completely and use a clean browser session. Also, if you have a smartphone, try downloading the TWC mobile app - sometimes it works when the website doesn't. For the payment issue, it could be related to your bank routing information or they might need updated documentation. The system is definitely buggy right now, but based on what everyone else is saying, that early morning call strategy seems to be the most successful approach. Good luck getting through - you're not alone in this mess!

I went through this exact same issue about 2 months ago and it was absolutely maddening! After trying everything - different browsers, clearing cache, password resets, etc. - I finally got through by calling the main TWC line at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday. Waited about an hour and 20 minutes on hold, but when I got through, the rep was super helpful. Turns out my account had been flagged because I had moved recently and they needed to verify my new address. She was able to unlock my account, update my info, and release my pending payments all in one call. My biggest tip: have EVERYTHING ready when you call - your SSN, driver's license, any TWC correspondence, bank account info, and be prepared to answer security questions about your employment history. Also, don't hang up if you get disconnected - call right back because sometimes they can find your "case" in their system. The whole process is frustrating but there IS light at the end of the tunnel! Stay persistent and you'll get through this! 💪

I'm going through this exact nightmare right now! Been calling TWC for 5 days straight and it's like they don't want to help anyone. This thread is honestly a goldmine of actual useful strategies - way better than anything on TWC's useless website. I'm definitely going to try the multi-pronged approach that's working for everyone: that callback number (512-463-2697) during the 2-4pm window, submitting a state rep request today, and checking my correspondence inbox (which I just did and found a document request from 2 weeks ago with zero notification!). The fact that so many people discovered hidden issues or missing docs in their inbox is eye-opening. It's absolutely insane that their notification system is this broken. How are we supposed to respond to requests we never know about? I'm also considering the Claimyr service as backup - at this point I'd rather pay something than keep wasting entire days on failed phone attempts. My claim has been pending for 5 weeks with no explanation and I desperately need to talk to someone. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works instead of just venting. This community is more helpful than TWC's entire customer service department! Going to try the callback system this afternoon and hopefully I'll have a success story to share soon.

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation right now! Been trying for over a week to reach someone at TWC about my pending claim and it's like they've designed their phone system to be impossible. This thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on TWC's actual website - thank you everyone for sharing real solutions! Based on all the success stories here, I'm going to try the multi-strategy approach: using that callback number (512-463-2697) during the 2-4pm window that several people mentioned worked for them, submitting a constituent services request through my state rep's office today, and checking my correspondence inbox more carefully (just found a missing wage verification request from last week with no email notification - their system is so broken!). I'm also seriously considering the Claimyr service as backup. At this point I've probably wasted 15+ hours on failed call attempts, so paying a small fee to actually get through would be worth every penny for my sanity. The tip about having all your info written down on one sheet before calling is brilliant too - claim number, SSN, employment dates, correspondence reference numbers. I can totally see myself finally getting someone on the phone and then frantically searching for my paperwork while they're waiting. This community giving real actionable advice instead of just complaining is exactly what I needed. Fingers crossed the combination approach works - I'll update if I have success to add to the pile of helpful experiences here!