[Texas] TWC approved my unemployment after being fired, then tried to disqualify me because of DoorDash gig work — now claiming $2,420 overpayment. They gave TWO different reasons for the same "quit". I'm preparing my appeals. Has anyone dealt with gig work being treated as a primary job?
Long post, but I want to be thorough because I genuinely think TWC is in the wrong here and I'm hoping someone has navigated something similar.
Background: I was separated from my full-time job at a marketing company in late February 2026. I filed for unemployment. TWC investigated and ruled in my favor. I was approved and started receiving payments.
The DoorDash issue: While unemployed, I did occasional DoorDash deliveries for supplemental income as the work separation created an immediate financial hardship financial hardship. However, I had been doing Door Dash since October to bridge financial gaps even with a full-time job. So, it’s not like I was Door Dashing all of a sudden. I’d lost my main source of income and was applying for unemployment accordingly, while continuing to Door Dash.
I reported every single dollar to TWC every week I filed — no exceptions. This was never hidden. But DoorDash was not my job and it never was. It was gig work. Furthermore, I never "quit" — I just did fewer deliveries as I got closer to finding full-time work, which I eventually did a few weeks ago. (EDIT: a couple of you have pointed this out and it does sound intentional. Apologies. I did fewer deliveries as I got closer to finding full-time work because my job search activities were increasing and taking up more time, and therefore the time making deliveries was decreasing. I was Dashing more at night because my job search activities were during the day. Some nights I would log into the app and would not get offers. I would "work" but not deliver ... because there were fewer deliveries when I wasn't Dashing all day/night, etc, etc). I filed for my waiting week when it was appropriate and received it.
Where it went sideways: TWC then issued a determination saying they couldn't pay me because I "quit DoorDash to look for another job" (March 20). Weird framing, but okay. Then in May — after I had already found a full-time job and stopped filing for benefits on my own — they issued a second, contradictory determination saying I quit DoorDash "for personal reasons." Different reason. Different disqualification start date. Same company. Same me. In the weeks leading up to this reversal, I'd had two phone conversations with the same account person at TWC, so I'm not sure where wires may have been crossed.
And now: Based on that revised DoorDash determination, they retroactively decided I wasn't eligible for my main unemployment benefits either, and now claim I owe $2,420 in overpayment.
I’m in the process of appealing. Anyone have any words of advice or warning? Thanks.