Just wanted to add something important - if they do accept your good cause for the late appeal, don't celebrate too early during the hearing! I made that mistake and got a little too relaxed when they moved on to my actual case. Stay focused because the separation issue is just as important. Also, if your employer doesn't show up to the hearing (which happens sometimes), that actually works in your favor. They won't be there to argue their side about you supposedly quitting. But don't count on it - assume they'll be there and be prepared with all your evidence about the layoff. One last thing - write down key points you want to make beforehand so you don't forget anything important when you're nervous. Good luck Omar, sounds like you have solid documentation for both the late appeal and the actual case!

I'm going through my first TWC appeal process right now and this thread has been incredibly informative! I'm curious about something - for those who have been through hearings before, how long do they typically last? Also, @Omar Hassan, I noticed you mentioned having texts from your supervisor about budget cuts. Did you submit those as evidence ahead of time, or are you planning to present them during the hearing itself? I have some similar documentation for my situation and wasn't sure about the timing of when to share it. The advice about staying calm and respectful really resonates with me too. It's easy to get emotional when your livelihood is on the line, but professionalism probably goes a long way with these hearing officers. Wishing you the best of luck next Tuesday!

Yes, for combined W-2 and 1099 income, you should submit the complete tax return including all schedules along with any W-2 forms. TWC will consider the total income when recalculating the DUA amount. Make sure the return is signed (even if e-filed) and includes all pages of Schedule C for any self-employment. If possible, also include a signed statement breaking down how much came from each source of income. This isn't strictly required, but it helps the claims examiner process things faster since they don't have to spend time figuring out which portions came from which source.

I went through this exact situation last month! Got approved for the minimum DUA amount and it was so frustrating trying to figure out what went wrong. Here's what I learned from my experience: First, don't panic about the minimum amount - it's actually normal when TWC can't immediately verify your income. They approve the minimum to get payments flowing while they wait for documentation. For getting through on the phone, I had success calling right at 8 AM when they open. Set multiple alarms and start dialing at exactly 8:00. I also tried calling around 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM when call volume sometimes drops. But honestly, going to a Workforce Solutions office in person (if you can) is probably your best bet. For the income verification, make sure you're uploading documents from the correct tax year. Since this is a disaster claim, they need proof of income from the tax year BEFORE the disaster occurred. I made the mistake of initially sending this year's pay stubs and had to resubmit everything. One tip that really helped me: when you upload documents, give each file a clear, descriptive name like "2024_Tax_Return_Complete" or "2024_W2_Forms" instead of just leaving the default file names. This seems to help the processors find and review your documents faster. My amount was adjusted within about 8 business days after I submitted the right paperwork. They also backdated the increase to cover all my previous payments. Hang in there - it's a frustrating process but it does get resolved!

anyone else notice how they ask for like 500 different documents but then deny you anyway lol

Update on my situation - finally had my appeal hearing this morning and it was approved on the spot! The hearing officer said the main reason my initial DUA claim was denied was because my employer's letter didn't specifically state that my unemployment was a "direct result" of the disaster - those exact words matter. Also, having my final paystub from the week before the disaster made a big difference. One tip: prepare a clear timeline of events before your hearing. Mine went like this: - March 12: Disaster occurred - March 13: Workplace damaged and inaccessible - March 14: Employer notified staff of indefinite closure - March 15: Official disaster declaration date - March 20: Filed initial DUA claim Having this timeline ready made the hearing go much smoother. Good luck with your claim!

Thanks for sharing your timeline - this is really helpful! I'm currently stuck in the same "in review" status for 2.5 weeks now. Your post made me realize I should probably reach out to my former employer's HR department. I was laid off from a marketing agency and just assumed they would handle everything automatically. Question: when you called your ex-manager, did you mention it was urgent or affecting your benefits? I'm worried about coming across as pushy since I'm no longer an employee, but I really need to get this resolved. Also, did TWC give you any reference number or case ID that you shared with your employer to help them locate the SIDES request?

This is such valuable information - thank you for sharing your detailed timeline! I'm currently in week 3 of "in review" status and hadn't thought to contact my former employer directly. Your experience with HR not even knowing about the TWC request is eye-opening. I just assumed everything was automated and they would handle it on their end. I'm going to reach out to my former manager tomorrow morning. Quick question: when you sent those screenshots to HR, did you black out any sensitive information, or did you share them as-is? I want to make sure I'm providing helpful documentation without oversharing personal details from my TWC account.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the uncertainty is awful when you're already dealing with job loss. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you've gotten good advice about exploring SNAP, TANF, and other assistance programs while continuing your job search. One thing I'd add is to check with local churches, community organizations, and food banks in your area - many have emergency assistance funds for rent/utilities that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for other programs to kick in. Also, don't forget about gig work or temporary employment agencies as a short-term income source. It's not ideal, but even a few hundred dollars from DoorDash or temp work can help with immediate expenses. You're not alone in this situation and you're being smart by asking for help and exploring all your options. Hang in there!

Hey Demi, I just went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and I totally understand the panic you're feeling. The reality is harsh but everyone here is giving you solid advice. One thing I'd add is to make sure you apply for emergency rental assistance through your city/county ASAP - many areas still have COVID relief funds available for rent help and they can sometimes cover 2-3 months while you get back on your feet. Also, if you have any old 401k or retirement accounts from previous jobs, you might be able to do a hardship withdrawal to cover immediate expenses (though there are tax implications). The TWC system really does suck at explaining what happens when benefits run out - you're definitely not alone in being blindsided by this. Keep your head up and cast a wide net with job applications. Even getting a temporary job while you keep looking for something in your field can help bridge the gap.