Can I get TWC benefits after leaving work for medical reasons with no accommodations?
I've been dealing with severe chronic back pain for months that's gotten worse lately (bulging disc L4-L5). My doctor says I can't keep doing my current warehouse job lifting heavy packages, and gave me work restrictions. When I showed my employer the doctor's note, they said they don't have any light duty positions available and basically told me I'm out of luck. I can't physically do my job anymore, but I'm worried if I quit I won't qualify for unemployment. Has anyone successfully gotten TWC benefits in a situation like this? Do I need specific documentation from my doctor? I'm stressed about how I'll pay bills while I look for work I can physically handle.
22 comments
Brady Clean
ur gonna need mor than just a doctors note. TWC is super picky about medical seprations. u need to prove that u asked for accommodations and they coudlnt provide any. get that in writing from ur job!!!!
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Molly Hansen
•Thanks for the advice. Should I email HR and specifically ask for a written statement saying they can't accommodate my medical restrictions? I'm worried they'll just ignore me.
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Skylar Neal
This type of situation can qualify for unemployment benefits, but you need to handle it carefully. TWC considers this a "medical separation" which is different from quitting. Here's what you should do: 1. Get detailed medical documentation from your doctor outlining your specific limitations and that you can no longer perform your job duties 2. Request accommodations formally in writing (email is fine) to your employer 3. Have your employer provide written confirmation they cannot accommodate your restrictions 4. When you file, select "medical reasons" as your separation reason 5. Be prepared to provide all documentation during your claim process I went through something similar with my knee injury last year. The key is documenting EVERYTHING. Don't just verbally discuss accommodations - get it all in writing.
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Vincent Bimbach
•What if the employer doesn't respond to the written accommodation request? My husband is in a similar situation with his back and HR just keeps giving him the runaround about paperwork.
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Kelsey Chin
Your situation should qualify you for benefits under what TWC calls a "medically necessary separation." The key factors TWC considers are: - You have a genuine medical condition verified by a healthcare provider - You requested reasonable accommodation from your employer - Your employer was unable to provide accommodation - You're still able and available to work in some capacity, just not your prior position Make sure to get documentation of your accommodation request and their response. When filing, be very clear that you didn't simply quit - you were forced to leave because they couldn't accommodate your medical restrictions. You'll likely need to submit your medical documentation during the claims process. Also important: you must be able and available to work some type of job within your restrictions to qualify for benefits. If your doctor says you can't work at all, you might need to look into disability instead of unemployment.
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Molly Hansen
•This is super helpful, thank you! My doctor says I can definitely still work, just not anything requiring heavy lifting or bending. I'll make sure to document everything carefully.
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Norah Quay
i was in the EXACT same boat!! herniated discs from a car accident and couldn't do my nursing job anymore. TWC denied me at first but I appealed and won. The appeal hearing was stressful AF but worth it. Make sure you save EVERY email between you and your work and get your doctor to write a detailed letter about your restrictions. Good luck!!
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Leo McDonald
•did you use a lawyer for your appeal? ive heard those hearings are really intimidating...
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Norah Quay
No lawyer, just prepared like crazy. Organized all my documents, wrote down what I wanted to say, and was honest. The hearing officer was actually pretty nice once we got started. Just be super professional and stick to the facts.
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Jessica Nolan
Listen, TWC is extremely difficult to reach these days if you need to explain your situation or have questions about your claim. When I had a medical separation last year, it was a nightmare trying to get someone on the phone about my documentation. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with a TWC agent after spending days getting busy signals. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh Based on your situation, you really need to talk directly with TWC to make sure you're submitting everything correctly. Medical separations can be tricky, and one missing document can cause a denial that takes weeks to appeal.
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Molly Hansen
•Thanks for this tip! I've been trying to call but keep getting disconnected. I'll check out that service if I can't get through in the next couple days.
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Vincent Bimbach
My cousin JUST went through this!!! The most important thing is DOCUMENTATION!!! TWC denied her initially (they deny almost everyone first time) but she won her appeal because she had: 1. Email from her doctor with restrictions 2. Email asking her boss for accommodations 3. Email from HR saying they couldn't accommodate DON'T QUIT until you have documentation!!! Make them tell you in writing! And don't let them trick you into resigning!
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Molly Hansen
•This is good advice - I'll definitely get everything in writing. Did your cousin have to wait long for her appeal hearing?
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Vincent Bimbach
It took about 3 weeks to get the appeal hearing scheduled. Then another week to get the decision. She got backpay for the whole time though once she won!
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Leo McDonald
this is why this country is falling apart. healthy people looking for handouts instead of just finding a new job they can actually do. twc isnt meant to be for people who just dont want to work anymore
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Kelsey Chin
•That's a fundamental misunderstanding of unemployment insurance and medical separations. The OP has a documented medical condition and can't perform their specific job - not that they "don't want to work." They're actively seeking other employment within their medical restrictions. This is precisely what unemployment benefits are designed for - temporary support while transitioning between jobs when the separation wasn't your fault.
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Molly Hansen
•I've worked hard for 7 years at my company and never taken a handout. I literally physically cannot do my job anymore without risking permanent damage to my spine according to my doctor. I'm actively looking for other work I can do with my condition.
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Skylar Neal
One more important thing: when you do your work search requirements while on unemployment, make sure you're only applying to jobs that fit within your medical restrictions. If TWC offers you a job referral for something that would violate your medical restrictions, you need to explain why you can't accept that specific job while still being able and available for other suitable work.
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Molly Hansen
•That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I'll keep detailed notes about what jobs I'm applying for and how they align with my medical restrictions.
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Brady Clean
btw don't forget u need like 3 job searches each week or TWC will cut ur benefits! my roommate got cut off for missing like 2 job searches and had to appeal
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Norah Quay
anybody know if quitting for medical reasons affects the amount of benefits you get? like do you still get the full amount?
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Kelsey Chin
•If you qualify for benefits through a proper medical separation, you should receive your regular benefit amount based on your past wages. The type of separation doesn't reduce the amount, but it does affect eligibility. The bigger factor in benefit amount is your earnings during the base period (roughly the 12-15 months before filing).
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