Can TWC approve unemployment if I left job for domestic violence safety concerns?

Yes, Texas Workforce Commission does have exceptions for situations involving domestic violence. Under Texas law, if you leave your job due to documented family violence, it's considered "good cause" and you won't be disqualified from receiving benefits. Make sure you have documentation like the protective order, police reports, and medical records from your hospitalization ready when you file your claim. This falls under what TWC calls a "compelling personal reason" exception.

Im so sorry your going thru this. My sister had something similar happen in 2022 and TWC approved her. She had to upload her restrainin order thing to prove it tho. Good luck!!

I work as an employment counselor, and I want to clarify a few important points about your situation: 1. Texas Labor Code Section 207.046 specifically protects victims of family violence who need to leave employment for safety reasons 2. When you file, you'll need to clearly explain that your separation was due to documented family violence - this is critical because initially, the system may flag your case as a voluntary quit 3. You'll need to upload your protective order documentation when you file 4. Be prepared for TWC to potentially contact your employer as part of their investigation 5. You must still meet the other eligibility requirements: be able and available for work, and complete your required 3 work search activities each week If you receive a determination letter that denies benefits, immediately file an appeal - many domestic violence cases require additional review.

make SURE you explain this during your initial application!!! TWC is notorious for auto-rejecting anything that looks like you left voluntarily. I got denied at first because I picked the wrong reason code when I filed. Had to wait 6 weeks for an appeal hearing before they fixed it. So frustrating!!!!!

This happened to my cousin and she ended up getting approved after like 2 months. But she had to keep calling them over and over to explain her situation. They were gonna deny her at first.

I'm so sorry about your situation. Been there. Make absolutely certain you upload ALL documentation. Not just the protective order but also any police reports, hospital records, anything from a domestic violence counselor if you've seen one, everything. TWC can be really picky about proof for these special circumstances. Also start your work search RIGHT AWAY even before your job ends, and document all of it. They check that stuff!

One other important point - when you file, TWC will ask if you're able and available for work. Make sure you indicate that you ARE available to work immediately, just not at your previous workplace. If you put any restrictions on when or where you can work, it could complicate your claim. You can explain the safety concerns during the investigation phase if needed.

how far along r u with the divorce? my friend had to file for emergeny custody stuff at same time as the restraining order. twc didnt care about that part but just thought id mention it if u havent already done that part

Based on what you've shared, you have a very strong case for unemployment benefits under the family violence exception. Make sure you: 1. File as soon as your contract ends in June 2. Have all documentation ready to upload 3. Check your TWC correspondence inbox daily after filing 4. Complete your payment requests every two weeks even if your claim is under review 5. Keep detailed records of all your job search activities If you receive a determination letter approving benefits, great! If you receive a denial, file an appeal immediately (within 14 days) and clearly state that your separation was due to documented family violence as protected under Texas Labor Code 207.046.

I went through something very similar last year and want to offer some encouragement - TWC did approve my benefits under the domestic violence exception. A few things that helped my case: I filed online but then immediately called to speak with someone to explain the situation verbally (even though it took forever to get through). I also contacted the Texas Legal Aid hotline who helped me understand exactly how to present my case to TWC. They have specialists who deal with domestic violence situations and employment issues. The number is 1-833-457-5342. Don't give up if you get an initial denial - many of these cases require a human review rather than just the automated system. You're being so brave protecting yourself and your daughter. Wishing you the best outcome.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. As someone who works with survivors of domestic violence, I want to emphasize that you absolutely deserve support and shouldn't feel any shame about needing unemployment benefits in this situation. Your safety and your daughter's safety come first. A few additional resources that might help: - The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) has advocates who understand employment issues related to domestic violence and can provide guidance - Many local domestic violence organizations have legal advocates who specifically help with benefits applications and can sometimes provide written statements supporting your case - Consider reaching out to your local workforce development board - they often have staff trained to help domestic violence survivors navigate the unemployment system You're taking all the right steps by documenting everything and planning ahead. The fact that you have a protective order, medical records, and are actively job searching shows you're prepared. Stay strong - you're doing everything right to protect yourself and your daughter, and there are people and systems in place to support you through this transition.

I want to add something important about timing - since your contract ends in early June, you should file your claim the week your contract actually ends, not before. TWC benefits are based on when you're actually unemployed, so filing too early could delay or complicate your claim. Also, even though you're not renewing your contract, the key is how you explain the reason - focus on the fact that you cannot safely continue working at that location due to documented domestic violence, rather than framing it as simply not renewing. The domestic violence exception overrides the voluntary separation issue, but you need to be very clear about this being a safety-driven decision from the start. Best of luck to you and your daughter - you're making the right choice prioritizing your safety.

I'm a former TWC claims processor and want to add some specific details about the domestic violence exception process. When you file online, there's a dropdown menu under "reason for separation" - look for "Family Violence" or "Personal Safety" as your selection. If you don't see those exact options, choose "Other" and immediately explain in the comments section. After you submit your initial claim, TWC will likely send you a "Request for Information" form specifically about family violence situations - this is normal and expected. They'll ask for detailed information about the incident, timeline, and supporting documentation. Respond to this quickly and thoroughly. One thing people often miss: if your employer contests your claim (which schools sometimes do automatically), don't panic. The domestic violence protection supersedes employer objections, but you may need to participate in a phone hearing. During any hearing, stick to the facts about safety concerns and have your documentation ready to reference. Finally, apply for jobs consistently but document any safety concerns about specific positions. For example, if a job posting is too close to your previous workplace or your ex-husband's known locations, note this in your work search log as a legitimate safety-based reason for not applying. TWC understands that domestic violence survivors may have geographic restrictions for safety reasons.