Can I get TWC unemployment during maternity leave if job offers no disability coverage?

Unfortunately, TWC unemployment benefits generally don't cover maternity leave. Unemployment is designed for people who lost jobs through no fault of their own and are able/available to work. Since you're voluntarily taking leave and technically not available for work during recovery, you typically wouldn't qualify. You might want to look into other options like: - Asking if your employer would consider a part-time arrangement after basic recovery - Checking if you qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Setting up a payment plan with your medical providers - Talking to your HR about unpaid leave with a gradual return schedule

When I had my baby last yr I tried filing for unemplymnt and got denied right away. They said since I was still technically employed and just on leave I didnt qualify. Plus your supposed to be able & available to work which they said recovery from childbirth doesnt count for. The whole system is messed up for moms!!

I work with unemployment cases, and I need to clarify something important: In Texas, pregnancy and childbirth fall under medical conditions that make you unavailable for work during recovery. TWC specifically requires claimants to be "able and available" for full-time work to qualify for benefits. Now, there is ONE potential exception - if your employer specifically terminated your employment (rather than holding your position under FMLA), you MIGHT qualify after recovery when you're medically cleared to work again. But during actual maternity recovery, you would not qualify. I would recommend: 1. Double-check if your employer offers any short-term medical leave options 2. Look into applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through Texas Health and Human Services 3. If you have pregnancy complications that started before delivery, you might qualify for Medicaid for Pregnant Women program 4. Some hospitals offer payment assistance programs worth asking about

The whole thing is RIDICULOUS!! Why doesn't Texas have paid family leave?? Almost every other developed country provides PAID maternity leave but here we're supposed to just magically survive without income for months. And then they wonder why birthrates are dropping!!! The system is completely broken and designed to punish women for having children. I had to go back to work 2 WEEKS after having my son because we couldn't afford the unpaid leave. TWC needs to get with the times!!!!

Have you tried calling TWC directly to ask about your situation? Sometimes there are exceptions or programs they don't advertise well. I've been trying to call them about a different issue (separation dispute) and finally got through after using this service called Claimyr that connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. The website is claimyr.com. Might be worth a try to get a definitive answer straight from TWC about your specific situation.

My cousin had baby last year and her doctor wrote note saying she had complications and couldn't work for medical reasons not just regular childbirth. She got some kinda benefits but don't think it was regular unemployment maybe disability? Worth asking your doctor about if you have any complications.

What about applying for unemployment AFTER your recovery period? Like when you're cleared to work but your employer doesn't have a position for you anymore? I read somewhere that could potentially work. Might be worth looking into?

If your company doesnt do FMLA bc its too small have you thought about maybe quiting and finding a better job with maternity benefits after baby comes? Thats what my sister did and she actually found a better paying job too

To summarize what everyone's saying: 1. Regular TWC unemployment won't cover voluntary maternity leave 2. You need to be able and available for work to qualify for unemployment 3. FMLA doesn't apply to companies with fewer than 50 employees 4. You might qualify for unemployment AFTER recovery if your job doesn't take you back 5. TANF and hospital payment programs are worth looking into I'd recommend getting everything in writing from your employer about their plans for your position during/after leave. That documentation could be crucial if you need to file for unemployment later if they don't rehire you.

I'm in a similar situation and did some research on this. One thing that might help is looking into WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits if you haven't already - it's not cash assistance but can help with nutritional needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also, some churches and community organizations have emergency assistance funds for situations like this. I know it's not the same as unemployment benefits, but every little bit helps when you're facing months without income. Have you considered reaching out to 211 (dial 2-1-1)? They can connect you with local resources and assistance programs you might not know about. The whole system really does need to change - it's ridiculous that we have to scramble like this just to have a baby safely.

I went through this exact situation two years ago with my first baby. Unfortunately, Texas really doesn't have good options for moms in this position. I ended up having to take out a small personal loan to cover basic expenses during my unpaid leave, which wasn't ideal but kept us afloat. One thing I wish I had done earlier was start a side gig that I could do from home - even something small like freelance writing or virtual assistant work that I could pick up again after recovery. Also, if you haven't already, definitely apply for Medicaid for pregnant women - it covers all your prenatal care and delivery costs, which is one less financial worry. The reality is our state really fails new parents, but you'll get through this. Start reaching out to local mom groups on Facebook too - they often share resources and sometimes have baby gear swaps that can help stretch your budget.

I'm a case worker who helps families navigate these situations, and I want to add a few more concrete resources that might help you bridge this gap: 1. **Texas Women's Health Program** - Beyond Medicaid for pregnancy, this covers family planning and some postpartum care if you qualify income-wise. 2. **Local food banks** - Many have special programs for pregnant/new mothers. North Texas Food Bank, Houston Food Bank, etc. often partner with hospitals to identify families in need. 3. **Utility assistance programs** - LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) can help with electric/gas bills during your unpaid leave period. Apply through your local Community Action Agency. 4. **Consider a "hybrid" approach** - Some of my clients have negotiated with employers to work reduced hours remotely during recovery (like 10-15 hours/week doing administrative tasks from home). This keeps some income flowing without violating unemployment eligibility rules. 5. **Document everything** - Keep records of all conversations with your employer about leave policies, return-to-work expectations, and any promises made about holding your position. This protects you legally. The system is definitely broken, but there are ways to patch together support. Feel free to reach out if you need help navigating any of these programs - that's literally what we're here for.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation. As others have mentioned, Texas unemployment typically won't cover maternity leave since you need to be "able and available" for work. However, I wanted to add a few points that might be helpful: Since your company has only 11 employees, they're not bound by FMLA requirements, which actually gives you more flexibility in some ways. You might consider negotiating a gradual return schedule or discussing whether they'd be willing to treat your leave as a temporary layoff with rehire agreement - though this would need to be their decision, not yours requesting it. Also, don't overlook the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when you file taxes next year - having a baby can significantly increase your refund if you qualify income-wise. And if you're planning to breastfeed, many insurance plans now cover breast pumps 100%, which can save you $200+ that you can put toward other expenses. One last thought - start networking now with other parents in your area. Parent groups often have informal job-sharing networks, and you might find remote work opportunities or part-time gigs through those connections that could help during your transition back to work. The whole system definitely needs reform, but you'll find a way through this!