I'm so sorry this happened to you! What your employer did is textbook pregnancy discrimination and you absolutely should file for unemployment benefits immediately. Don't let being close to your due date discourage you - your pregnancy actually strengthens your case, not weakens it. A few important points: - File your claim TODAY through WorkinTexas.com - When describing your separation, be clear that you were terminated after providing employer-requested medical documentation - Emphasize that reasonable accommodations were available (reassignment to older kids' rooms) - Keep all documentation - texts, emails, doctor's note, anything related to this You'll likely qualify for benefits right away, and when you give birth you can temporarily pause your claim during recovery, then resume when you're medically cleared to work again. Your claim stays open during that time. Also consider filing an EEOC complaint within 180 days - it's free and could result in additional compensation for the discrimination. You don't need a lawyer to file either the unemployment claim or EEOC complaint, though consulting one wouldn't hurt if you can manage it later. Stay strong - you're fighting for your rights and your baby's future! 💪

This is absolutely infuriating - what they did to you is completely illegal! You have a rock-solid case here. Apply for unemployment benefits IMMEDIATELY through WorkinTexas.com - don't wait another day. Here's the key thing everyone's mentioned but I want to emphasize: being 3 weeks from your due date actually HELPS your case, not hurts it. This is textbook pregnancy discrimination under both state and federal law. They literally asked YOU to bring documentation, then fired you when you complied! When you file, be crystal clear: "Employer requested medical documentation for pregnancy-related lifting restrictions. After providing doctor's note limiting lifting to 5lbs, employer terminated me rather than reassigning me to available positions that would accommodate restrictions." Document EVERYTHING - save those texts where they asked for the note, keep your doctor's paperwork, write down dates and conversations while they're fresh. You'll likely get approved quickly since this is such clear wrongful termination. And yes, definitely file that EEOC complaint too within 180 days. Many employment lawyers take discrimination cases on contingency (no upfront costs) if you decide to pursue that route later. You've got this mama - focus on getting your benefits flowing first, then worry about holding them accountable for this discrimination! 💪

This is exactly why I always recommend people call TWC within the first week or two if they don't hear anything, even though it's a nightmare to get through. Address errors are way more common than people think - I've seen it happen with apartment numbers getting dropped, zip codes being wrong, or even just typos in street names. For anyone reading this thread who's in a similar situation: if you're not getting ANY correspondence from TWC after 2-3 weeks, it's probably not because they're ignoring you - there's likely a technical issue like this address problem. Don't wait 4+ weeks like Ava did (though I totally understand why she did). Also, pro tip: when you do get through to TWC, ask them to read back your full address on file to make sure it's correct. And if you move at any point during your claim, update your address IMMEDIATELY both online and by calling them. Great job persisting through this mess, Ava! Your story is going to help a lot of people.

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - laid off 3 weeks ago with a severance package coming next month, and my TWC claim has been radio silent too. Reading through Ava's experience and everyone's advice gives me so much hope that there's actually progress happening behind the scenes even when it feels like nothing is moving. The address error revelation is both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring because it explains the silence, but terrifying because it's such a simple mistake that could happen to anyone. I'm definitely going to double-check my address info first thing tomorrow and try to get through to speak with someone sooner rather than later. Thanks to everyone who shared their expertise here, especially about the severance calculation method and the importance of keeping up with payment requests even during the waiting period. This community is a lifesaver for navigating TWC's confusing system!

I'm so relieved to see this positive update! Your experience really highlights how important it is to keep pushing for accurate information from TWC. It's unfortunate that the first representative gave you such alarming and incorrect advice about potentially losing all your benefits. This thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the Training Benefits provision for TWC-approved workforce programs. It makes complete sense that they would have protections in place for people trying to improve their job prospects through official training channels. The CDL field is booming right now, especially in Texas with all the logistics and transportation needs. You're making a smart career move that should lead to much better long-term employment opportunities than the PRN hospital work. I hope the expedited review goes smoothly and you can focus on your training without the stress of wondering about your benefits! Thanks for keeping everyone updated - this information will definitely help other community members who might face similar situations with secondary job separations during approved training programs.

This is such a great example of why persistence pays off when dealing with TWC! The difference between your first and second representatives is night and day - it really shows how important it is to keep trying until you get someone who actually understands the system. I've been working in workforce development for a few years now, and the Training Benefits provision is one of the most underutilized protections available to unemployed workers. The whole point of these TWC-approved training programs is to help people transition to better careers, so it would be completely counterproductive for them to penalize you for quitting a part-time job that conflicts with your training schedule. Your CDL training is going to be such a smart investment! The transportation industry in Texas is absolutely booming right now, and CDL drivers are seeing some of the best wages and benefits they've had in years. Plus, once you have that license, you'll have job security in a way that healthcare PRN work just can't provide. Thanks for sharing this whole experience - I'm sure it'll help a lot of people who find themselves in similar situations. It's a perfect reminder that sometimes you have to advocate for yourself and push back when you get incorrect information from government agencies. Wishing you all the best with your training program!

Just want to add one more thing - make sure you keep detailed records of when you start working and what you earn each week. I learned this the hard way when TWC asked me to verify my employment dates and earnings months later. Having pay stubs, start date documentation, and a simple calendar noting your work days will save you major headaches if they ever audit your claim. Good luck with the new job!

Make sure you understand the difference between your benefit year end date and when your benefits actually stop. Even if you start working full-time, your benefit year doesn't automatically close - you'd still need to request your waiting week payment later if you become eligible. Also, once you start the new job, you can still file payment requests if your hours get cut or if the job doesn't work out, as long as you're within your benefit year. Just keep your claim active by continuing to request payments (even if you report full-time work) until you're certain the job is stable.

Just want to add that you should also check if your contract employer paid into the unemployment insurance system. Some contractors work as 1099 independent contractors, which means they wouldn't be eligible for regular unemployment benefits. However, if you were classified as a W-2 employee (even on contract), then you should be covered. You can verify this by checking if unemployment taxes were deducted from your paychecks. If you were misclassified as a 1099 when you should have been W-2, that's a separate issue you might need to address with TWC. Also, keep copies of everything you submit - emails, letters, forms. TWC's system can be glitchy and documents sometimes get lost in their system.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I was in a very similar situation! My 8-month contract ended in December due to company restructuring, and I was approved for benefits within 3 weeks. A few key things that helped me: 1) I made sure my employer's separation letter specifically mentioned "elimination of position due to budget constraints" rather than just "end of contract," 2) I applied online the Sunday after my last work day, and 3) I kept detailed records of all my work search activities from day one. The hardest part was actually getting through to TWC when I had questions - definitely recommend calling early in the morning or late in the day for better chances. Also, don't stress too much about the application process itself - it's pretty straightforward once you have all your employment history and earnings information ready. You've got this!