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That's AMAZING news!!! 🎉 I'm so happy for you! I remember being in that same anxious headspace waiting for my decision last year. It's such a huge relief when you finally get that validation that you were right to leave an unsafe situation. Your supervisor probably thought they could get away with creating those conditions, but TWC obviously saw right through it. Enjoy those back payments when they hit - you definitely earned them after all that stress!
Thank you so much! It really is such a relief. I was starting to doubt myself and wondering if I made the right choice leaving that job, but seeing it in writing that TWC agreed with me feels incredible. You're absolutely right about the validation - it's not just about the money, it's about knowing that what I experienced was actually wrong and unsafe. I'm definitely going to treat myself to something nice once those back payments come through! 😊
Wow, what a rollercoaster! I've been following your story and I'm so thrilled you won your appeal! 🙌 It's incredible how much stress and anxiety these hearings cause, but you stuck to your guns about the unsafe conditions and it paid off. Stories like yours give me hope for others going through similar situations. Quick tip from someone who's been through this process - keep screenshots of your determination letter and any correspondence about your win, just in case there are any hiccups with the payment processing. TWC's systems can be glitchy sometimes and having that documentation saved you from potential headaches down the road. Congratulations again and thanks for sharing your journey with all of us!
This is such great advice about keeping screenshots! I learned this the hard way during my own TWC ordeal last year when they had a "system glitch" that made my determination letter disappear from my online account for like 2 weeks. I was panicking thinking I'd have to start over, but luckily I had saved everything to my phone. TWC's tech issues are no joke - definitely better to be overprepared than scrambling later. @MoonlightSonata you've been through enough stress already, so protect yourself with good documentation habits going forward!
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 such comprehensive advice, thank you! I feel so much more confident about applying now. I was really scared they'd automatically deny me because of my due date, but understanding that my pregnancy actually protects me legally changes everything. I'm definitely filing tonight and will keep all my documentation organized. The EEOC option is something I hadn't considered at all - 180 days gives me time to focus on the unemployment claim first and then look into that. Really appreciate you taking the time to break this down so clearly!
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! 💪
Thank you so much for this encouraging response! I was honestly feeling pretty defeated and worried I wouldn't have any options, but reading everyone's advice here has given me hope. I had no idea that what happened to me was so clearly illegal - I thought maybe they had the right to let me go since I couldn't do all parts of my job anymore. But you're absolutely right that they could have easily moved me to work with the older kids where heavy lifting isn't needed. I'm going to apply online right now and make sure I explain exactly what happened. It's such a relief to know that my pregnancy actually strengthens my case rather than making it harder. I'll definitely save all those texts and start documenting everything properly. Thank you for the reminder about the EEOC deadline too - having 180 days gives me some breathing room to handle the unemployment first. Really appreciate all the support from everyone here! 🙏
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 is such valuable advice, especially the tip about asking them to read back your address! I never would have thought to do that. It's crazy how something as simple as a missing apartment number or wrong zip code can derail your entire claim for weeks. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread - between Ava's experience and all the expert advice from people like you and Zainab, this is like a masterclass in navigating TWC issues. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their knowledge!
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 went through this exact situation last year with a 45-day notice from my employer. I was terrified they were trying to set me up to fail, but it turned out to be completely fine. The advance notice actually worked in my favor - I had time to organize all my documents, research the TWC process, and even start networking while still getting paid. The key thing I learned is that TWC only cares about your final separation reason, not how much notice you got. Since you're being laid off due to lack of available positions (not performance or misconduct), you'll qualify for benefits regardless of the 60-day timeframe. My advice: Use this time wisely. Keep applying for jobs (both internal and external), document everything, and don't let them pressure you into quitting early. The worst thing you could do is resign before your official layoff date. Stay strong - you've got this!
@Chloe Anderson This is such reassuring advice! I really appreciate you sharing your experience. You re'right that I should use this time wisely rather than just worrying about it. Did you end up finding something during your 45-day period, or did you go through with filing for unemployment? I m'curious how the networking aspect worked out for you - I ve'been hesitant to tell people about the layoff since it feels like admitting defeat somehow.
@Giovanni Ricci I totally get that feeling! I actually didn t'find anything during my 45-day period, so I did end up filing for unemployment. But the networking was surprisingly helpful - I reached out to former colleagues and industry contacts, and most people were really understanding. Layoffs are so common these days that it s'not seen as a personal failure. I framed it as my "position is being eliminated due to restructuring rather" than focusing on being laid off. A few people even gave me leads on openings at their companies. Don t'think of it as admitting defeat - think of it as being proactive about your career transition!
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got my 60-day notice three weeks ago and have been stressing about it constantly. Reading everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. One thing I wanted to add that might help you: I spoke with my union rep (if you have one) and they confirmed that advance layoff notices are actually required by law in many cases, especially for larger companies doing mass layoffs. It's not a trick - it's compliance. Also, something that helped me mentally was reframing this whole situation. Instead of seeing it as "60 days to find a job or else," I'm treating it as "60 days of paid time to prepare for my next chapter while having a safety net lined up." The unemployment benefits will be there if you need them, and that's exactly what they're designed for. You've been paying into this system for years - don't feel guilty about using it if necessary. Keep documenting everything, keep applying, and try not to let the anxiety consume you. We've got this!
Connor Murphy
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.
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Olivia Clark
•I'm so glad everything worked out for you! This whole thread has been a real eye-opener about how confusing TWC can be. I'm actually considering going back to school myself and was worried about how it might affect my unemployment benefits if I had to quit my weekend job. Your experience shows that as long as you're in an approved program, TWC should work with you rather than against you. It's just a shame you had to go through all that stress and confusion with the first representative. Definitely saving this thread for future reference - thanks for sharing your journey and congrats on starting the CDL program! That's going to be such a game-changer for your career.
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Anna Kerber
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!
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