I'm so sorry you're going through this stress during what should be an exciting time! I went through something similar with my second baby. Here are a few additional resources that might help: 1. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local assistance programs for utilities, food, and sometimes emergency financial help 2. Many churches and community organizations have emergency funds for families, even if you're not a member 3. Check if your area has a diaper bank or baby supply assistance - every little bit helps 4. Look into WIC if you qualify - they provide nutrition assistance for pregnant/nursing mothers 5. Some credit unions offer emergency loans with better terms than credit cards Also, don't forget that you can claim your baby as a dependent on your taxes as soon as they're born, which might help with a bigger refund next year. I know it doesn't help with immediate bills, but every bit counts. The financial stress is real, but you'll get through this. Focus on building that emergency fund for next time if possible - I learned that lesson the hard way! Sending you lots of support! 💙

I'm a first-time mom who went through this exact situation 8 months ago! The unemployment thing is a definite no-go unfortunately, but here's what saved me financially: 1. Applied for hospital charity care/financial assistance BEFORE delivery - most hospitals have programs that can reduce your birth costs significantly if you apply in advance 2. Started a GoFundMe - I was embarrassed at first but friends and family really stepped up 3. Looked into local mom groups on Facebook - so many have emergency funds or supply swaps 4. Asked my employer about "gradual return" - I came back 2 days/week at 8 weeks, then full time at 10 weeks which helped bridge the income gap Also, start meal prepping NOW and stock up on essentials while you still have income. I wish I'd done more prep work before baby came. The system is absolutely broken, but you're going to make it through this! Feel free to DM me if you want more specific tips about the financial assistance programs I used.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm currently in week 2 of waiting and was starting to panic seeing all those zeros, but reading everyone's experiences shows that this is totally normal. The 4-6 week timeline seems pretty consistent across everyone's stories. I got laid off from my customer service job in late February and filed immediately, but I had no idea what to expect since this is my first time dealing with unemployment. The TWC website makes it sound like payments should come quickly, but the reality seems very different. Really appreciate Melissa sharing her full journey from zeros to actual payment hitting the account - that's exactly the kind of real-world timeline I needed to see. And noting all the advice about keeping detailed records and using Claimyr if needed to actually reach TWC. Going to try to be patient and not check my account 5 times a day (easier said than done!). At least now I know I'm not doing anything wrong and this waiting period is just part of the process.

This thread is exactly what I needed to find! I'm in week 3 of waiting and have been checking my TWC account obsessively every day, seeing nothing but $0.00 across all my payment requests. Starting to wonder if I messed something up in my application since I've never dealt with unemployment before. Got laid off from my construction job in early March when the project got cancelled, and I'm down to about $200 left. The stress of not knowing if or when money might come has been keeping me up at night. But reading Melissa's story and everyone else's experiences shows that 4-6 weeks is actually pretty normal, which is both reassuring and frustrating at the same time. I've been doing my payment requests every two weeks like clockwork and keeping a detailed work search log with company names, dates, and position details. Applied to probably 20+ jobs so far and documenting everything just in case TWC asks for proof later. Really hoping I see that status change from zeros to real amounts soon like Melissa did. The waiting game is brutal when you're running low on funds, but at least now I know I'm not alone in this experience and that it really can change overnight once TWC processes everything. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - this community has been more helpful than the actual TWC website!

To answer your follow-up question about documentation: When you apply, you'll need to provide your Alien Registration Number or whatever identification number is on your work authorization document. TWC will verify your work authorization status through the SAVE system (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements). As for work search requirements that someone mentioned - you'll need to keep track of your work search activities in your TWC account online. You'll report these activities when you request payment every two weeks. And regarding the wait time - unfortunately, 3-5 weeks for first payment is pretty standard these days, especially for cases that might need additional verification like non-citizen status. You should apply immediately to start the clock.

Just wanted to follow up on the safety violation angle - if you have any witnesses to the unsafe conditions you reported, try to get their contact info now while you still can. Once you're no longer an employee, it might be harder to reach coworkers who could back up your story if the employer contests your claim. Also, if you took any photos of the unstable shelving or other hazards, those could be valuable evidence. Texas Labor Code Section 411.082 protects workers from retaliation for reporting safety violations, so you potentially have strong grounds here. The timing of your termination right after reporting safety issues is pretty suspicious and TWC will take that into account.

One final piece of advice: during the hearing, when they ask if you have questions for your former employer, make sure to ask them directly about the meeting. Something like: "Can you explain why, just two days before my termination, management explicitly told the entire collections team that no one would be terminated for performance issues during this period of low contact rates?" This puts them on the spot to either acknowledge the meeting happened (which supports your case) or deny it happened (which you can then counter with witness statements). Either way, it creates a clearer record for the hearing officer. Also, if they try to bring up specific instances of "misconduct," be prepared to explain the context of collections work and how what they're describing was either within normal job expectations or related to the difficult accounts you were assigned.

Good luck with your hearing Mateo! Just wanted to add that you should also be prepared to explain the difference between "misconduct" and poor performance. In Texas, misconduct for unemployment purposes has to be willful disregard of company policy or deliberate violation of known rules - not just failing to meet metrics. Since you were doing collections work as trained and the company had just acknowledged that EVERYONE was struggling with low contact rates, that sounds like industry-wide performance issues, not individual misconduct. The timing of that meeting is absolutely your strongest evidence. Make sure to emphasize that you were performing the job duties exactly as you were trained to do them. Collections work is inherently difficult and success rates fluctuate based on factors outside your control (economic conditions, quality of debt portfolios, etc.). Also document any positive feedback, training completions, or advancement between departments as evidence you were a capable employee in good standing right up until termination.

Another thing to keep in mind - since you've been at this contract job for 9 months, you should definitely meet the earnings requirements for TWC benefits. Texas requires you to have earned at least $3,822 in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). With 9 months of work, you're likely well above that threshold. Also, make sure you have your most recent pay stub and any tax documents ready when you file - TWC will need to verify your wages. The online application asks for detailed employment history, so having all your dates and employer info organized beforehand will make the process much smoother.

Also worth mentioning - since you know your exact end date 2 weeks in advance, use this time to prepare everything you'll need for your claim. Create accounts on WorkInTexas.com and other job boards now so you can start your work search activities immediately after filing. Download the TWC mobile app and bookmark the website. Having everything ready will help you file quickly the day after your contract ends and start your benefit weeks without delay. The preparatory work you do now will make the actual filing process much smoother when the time comes.