Can I qualify for TWC benefits during maternity leave if my job doesn't offer paid leave?

Hate to say it, but TWC is probably going to deny you. The problem is you have to be ABLE and AVAILABLE to work to get unemployment, and they'll say being on maternity leave means you're not available. I went through this last year and they rejected me even though my company laid me off while I was 7 months pregnant! The whole system is rigged against pregnant women!! They'll tell you to apply for disability instead, but that's a whole other nightmare that barely pays anything. It's absolute BS how they treat expectant mothers in this state.

not really tru, my sistur got benefits when her company cut her hours during pregnancy last year. depends on the situation and if u can work. dont scare her without knowing all facts

There are a few ways you might qualify for benefits, but it depends on specific details:\n\n1. If your employer reduced your hours due to your pregnancy (which you mentioned), that could qualify as a partial unemployment claim while you're still working. Document how and when your hours were reduced.\n\n2. If you medically can't perform your job duties but could work a different type of job, you may still be considered \

Thank you for this detailed response! My hours were definitely cut after I told them I was pregnant - I went from 38-40 hours to about 25-28 weekly with no explanation except that \

I went through something similar in 2023 and had a NIGHTMARE time getting anyone at TWC on the phone. Spent days calling and getting busy signals or disconnected after waiting on hold forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual TWC agent in 20 minutes who sorted everything out. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh\n\nAbout your actual question - I was able to get benefits because I could prove my employer reduced my hours specifically due to my pregnancy (which is actually discrimination). But I had emails proving it. Do you have anything in writing about your hours being cut?

I don't have emails but I have text messages from my manager saying they were \

Practical advice: File for unemployment right away based on your reduced hours. That's separate from any potential maternity leave issue. You might qualify for partial benefits now since your income has been cut. \n\nHere's what you need to do:\n1) Document exactly when and how much your hours were reduced\n2) Submit your claim online at ui.texasworkforce.org \n3) In the separation reason, select \

this is what i did!!! got benefits for redused hours before baby came. then deal with the leave part later. smart advise 👍

can you apply for fmla?? it doesnt pay but keeps your job safe for 12 weeks i think. my cousin did this and worked doordash until her baby came since its flexible hours and you can work when u feel ok. not ideal but better than nothing until you figure out the unemployment thing

I don't think I qualify for FMLA since I haven't worked there a full year yet (I'm 3 weeks short). The DoorDash idea is interesting though, I hadn't considered that. Do you know if doing gig work would affect an unemployment claim based on my reduced regular hours?

To answer your follow-up question: Benefits typically wouldn't continue after delivery unless you're still experiencing medical complications that prevent you from working. After delivery, the issue becomes childcare rather than medical inability, and TWC generally expects you to arrange childcare to be \

This is really helpful information. I'll make sure to save all the text messages. It sounds like I should file for the reduced hours now, then figure out the after-delivery part once I get there. I'm going to start the application tonight.

i was in your exact situation last year!!! what worked for me was getting a note from my doctor saying i could work but with restrictions (no heavy lifting, extra breaks, etc). my boss couldnt accommodate so i got unemployment for a while. they required lots of paperwork but it worked! dont give up mama u got this!

That's IF her doctor will write the note. Mine refused because he said it was \

Everybody giving advice about TWC but nobody mentioned that you should apply for Medicaid for Pregnant Women if you haven't already!!! Its different from regular Medicaid and way easier to qualify for. My sister got approved in like 2 weeks. With your reduced hours you'll probably qualify and it covers all your prenatal care, delivery AND covers the baby after birth too. Would save you thousands in medical bills at least while you figure out the income situation. Just google Texas Medicaid for Pregnant Women application

Thank you!! I actually did apply for this last month but haven't heard anything back. I should probably follow up on that application.

Ok so i see everyone giving you the \

I understand your frustration with the system, but I have to caution against this approach. TWC applications require you to certify that all information is truthful and complete. Intentionally omitting relevant information could be considered misrepresentation, which could result in having to repay benefits with penalties if discovered. It's better to be upfront but focus the claim on the hours reduction rather than the pregnancy itself.

I went through this exact situation 2 years ago and here's what I learned: You absolutely CAN get partial unemployment benefits for your reduced hours right now - that's completely separate from any maternity leave issues. The key is documenting that your hours were cut specifically after announcing your pregnancy (which sounds like potential discrimination). For the maternity leave part, it gets trickier. You'll need a doctor's note stating you're medically unable to work for X weeks. Some women do get approved if they can show medical necessity, but you have to be honest about your availability to work. Also, regarding gig work - you can do it while collecting partial unemployment, but you have to report ALL income when you certify. They'll reduce your benefits accordingly, but you might still come out ahead overall. One more thing - have you looked into Texas's Healthy Texas Women program? It's separate from Medicaid and covers family planning services. Between that, WIC, and potentially partial unemployment, you might be able to piece together enough support to make it work. Document everything about your hour reduction NOW before you forget details. Save those text messages in multiple places. Good luck mama!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress during what should be an exciting time! As someone who works in HR, I want to add a few points that might help: First, the hour reduction after announcing your pregnancy could potentially violate the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Even though you're 3 weeks short of FMLA eligibility, pregnancy discrimination laws still apply from day one. You might want to document this with your state's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Second, Texas has a lesser-known program called TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) that sometimes covers pregnant women even if regular food stamp applications are denied. The income limits are different and it's worth applying separately. For TWC specifically, I've seen cases where partial unemployment was approved for reduced hours during pregnancy, especially when the reduction was discriminatory. The key is framing it as "my employer reduced my hours without business justification after learning of my pregnancy" rather than "I need time off for maternity leave." Also consider reaching out to local pregnancy resource centers - many offer emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and baby supplies that can bridge the gap while you sort out benefits. Some churches also have emergency funds regardless of whether you're a member. You're being proactive by researching this now rather than waiting until you're in crisis mode. That's going to serve you well. Hang in there mama!

I'm a single mom who went through almost the exact same situation in Texas about 18 months ago! Here's what worked for me: 1. **File for partial unemployment immediately** based on your hour reduction. Don't wait - you can do this while still employed. I got approved because I could show my hours dropped from 40 to about 22 per week right after telling my boss I was pregnant. 2. **Document EVERYTHING** - those text messages are gold! Screenshot them, save them to cloud storage, and print copies. I wish I'd been better about this initially. 3. **Apply for multiple programs simultaneously** - don't wait for one to get approved before applying for others. I applied for: Medicaid for pregnant women, SNAP (food stamps), WIC, TANF, and local utility assistance all in the same week. Some got approved, others didn't, but it created a safety net. 4. **Contact 211** (dial 2-1-1) - they have a database of local resources including emergency rent assistance, food banks, and pregnancy support organizations. They helped me find a local charity that paid my electric bill for 3 months. 5. **For after delivery** - I was honest with TWC that I'd need 6-8 weeks recovery time with doctor's orders, and they put my claim on hold rather than denying it. Then I was able to restart benefits once cleared to work again. The system is frustrating but there IS help available. You're being smart by planning ahead. Feel free to PM me if you want more specific details about any of these programs!

Hey Chloe! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while pregnant - it's absolutely awful how little support pregnant women get in Texas. I went through something similar with my second baby and want to share a few things that helped me: **For immediate relief:** Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance through your county - many people don't know this exists but it can cover 1-3 months of rent while you sort out other benefits. Also check if your utility companies have pregnancy/medical hardship programs. **TWC strategy:** Focus your claim entirely on the discriminatory hour reduction. Keep it simple - "employer reduced hours without business justification after pregnancy announcement." Don't mention maternity leave plans in the initial application. I made the mistake of being too detailed upfront and it just confused things. **Food assistance:** If regular SNAP keeps getting denied, try applying through a different method - sometimes going to the local office in person gets better results than online applications. Also ask about expedited processing since you're pregnant. **Hidden resource:** Texas has something called the Nurse-Family Partnership program for first-time moms that provides free home visits and connects you to resources. They helped me navigate the system when I felt totally lost. The most important thing is to file for partial unemployment THIS WEEK based on your reduced hours. That's your strongest case right now and you need that income stream started. Everything else can be sorted out as you go. You're going to get through this! 💕