File through the Texas Workforce Commission website, not by mail or phone

Texas handles unemployment claims entirely online through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). You cannot file by phone, mail, or in person at a local office. The website is www.twc.texas.gov, and you will create an account, answer questions about your job loss, and submit your claim in one session. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.

You do not need to print anything or visit an office after you file. The TWC will contact you by email and phone if they need more information. Your claim goes into a queue when ready, and you will receive a information letter by mail within two to three weeks that tells you whether you were found monetarily may be able to access (meaning you earned enough in the past year) and non-monetarily may be able to access (meaning you lost your job for a reason the program covers).

If you do not have internet access at home, you can use a computer at a public library or a TWC office to file. TWC offices are open during business hours, but staff there cannot file the claim for you — you must do it yourself on the website.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at www.twc.texas.gov by creating an account and answering questions about your job loss in one sitting.
  • You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and the name and address of your most recent employer.
  • The TWC will mail you a information letter within two to three weeks that says whether you were found may be able to access and what your weekly benefit amount is.
  • You must file within 30 days of your last day of work to receive benefits for the week you were laid off or quit.
  • After you are found may be able to access, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment, or you will not be paid for that week.

What you need before you start the online form

Gather these documents before you open the TWC website. Having them ready means you will not have to stop halfway through and come back later.

Your identification: Your Social Security number and either your Texas driver's license number or your Texas ID card number. If you do not have a Texas ID, you can use your out-of-state driver's license number or passport number.

Your most recent employer's information: The business name, street address, city, state, and zip code. You will also need the phone number if you have it. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, use the address of the specific location where you worked.

Dates you worked: The month and year you started and the month and year your job ended. You do not need the exact day, but you should know whether you were laid off, quit, or fired.

Your reason for leaving: Be ready to describe why your job ended. If you were laid off, say that. If you quit, the TWC will ask why — reasons like "better job offer" or "moved out of state" may disqualify you, while reasons like "unsafe working conditions" or "wage theft" may not. If you were fired, describe what happened.

The online filing process, step by step

Go to www.twc.texas.gov and look for the button that says "File a Claim" or "File for Unemployment Benefits." You will be taken to a login page. If you have never filed before, click "Create Account" and enter your email address and a password you choose. Write down your password or save it in a password manager — you will need it to file your weekly claims later.

After you log in, the form will ask you a series of questions. Answer each one honestly and completely. The questions cover your personal information, your job history, why you left your job, whether you have been fired or quit before, and whether you are looking for work. Do not skip questions or leave fields blank. If a question does not explore to you, the form will usually let you select "No" or "Not applicable."

When you reach the question about your reason for leaving, be specific. "My employer closed" is different from "I quit because I found another job." The TWC uses your answer to decide whether you were laid off without fault (which usually makes you may be able to access) or whether you quit or were fired (which may disqualify you depending on the reason).

At the end of the form, you will review your answers and certify that everything is true. Click the button to submit. You will see a confirmation screen with a claim number. Write down this number or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have to contact the TWC.

What happens after you file: the waiting period and information letter

After you submit your claim, the TWC enters it into their system. You will receive an email confirmation within one business day. This email is not your information — it is just proof that your claim was received.

The TWC then reviews your claim for monetary may be able to access, which means checking whether you earned enough money in the past 12 months to may have access to. In Texas, you must have earned at least $1,000 in the past year, and your highest quarter of earnings must be at least $300. Most people who worked full-time meet this requirement.

Next, the TWC contacts your employer to verify that you worked there and to ask why your job ended. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. This is called the employer response period. If your employer says you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct, the TWC will likely find you non-monetarily ineligible, and you will be denied.

Within two to three weeks of filing, you will receive a information letter by mail. This letter says whether you were found may be able to access or denied, and if may be able to access, it tells you your weekly benefit amount and the date your benefits begin. Read this letter carefully. If you disagree with the decision, you have 15 days to file an appeal.

Filing your weekly claim after you are found may be able to access

Being found may be able to access does not automatically send you money. You must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment. If you do not file your weekly claim, you will not be paid for that week, even if you are may be able to access.

Log into your TWC account using the same email and password you created when you filed your initial claim. Look for the button to file your weekly claim. You will answer questions about whether you worked that week, whether you earned any money, whether you looked for work, and whether anything changed about your situation. Answer honestly — the TWC reviews these claims and can deny you if you misreport.

File your weekly claim every week on the same day, or within the window the TWC gives you. Most people file on Sunday or Monday for the week that just ended. If you miss the important date, you will lose that week's payment and may have to call the TWC to request a late filing.

After you file your weekly claim, the payment is usually deposited into your bank account within three to five business days. The TWC will send you a debit card if you do not provide a bank account number.

Reasons the TWC may deny your claim

The most common reason for denial is that you quit your job or were fired. In Texas, you are usually ineligible if you quit without good cause — meaning a reason that would make a reasonable person leave. Quitting because you found another job, did not like your boss, or wanted to move is usually not good cause. Quitting because your employer cut your pay, changed your schedule to something you could not work, or created an unsafe workplace may be good cause.

You may also be denied if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule or did something you knew was wrong. Being late a few times, making a small mistake, or not understanding a rule is usually not misconduct. Stealing, being drunk at work, or repeatedly ignoring a direct order after being warned is misconduct.

You may be denied if you did not earn enough money in the past year, or if your employer reports that you were laid off because of your own fault — for example, if you damaged equipment or refused to follow safety rules.

If you are denied, you will receive a letter explaining why. You have 15 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. An appeal means you can explain your side of the story to a hearing officer. Many people who are initially denied win on appeal.

What to do if you cannot access the website or need help

If the TWC website is down or you cannot create an account, call the TWC at 1-888-209-8346. This number is for general questions only — you cannot file a claim by phone. Staff can tell you when the website will be back up or help you troubleshoot login problems.

If you need to use a computer to file, visit a TWC office or a public library. Most libraries have computers available for free, and staff can show you how to access the website. You can find a TWC office location on their website.

If you have questions about whether you are may be able to access or why you were denied, the TWC has a live chat option on their website during business hours. You can also file an appeal online if you disagree with your information letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I worked for multiple employers in the past year?

List all employers you worked for in the past 12 months on your claim. The TWC will contact each one to verify your employment and ask why your job ended. If you were laid off from one job and quit another, the TWC will look at your most recent job to decide whether you are may be able to access. If your most recent job ended because you quit without good cause, you will likely be denied even if you were laid off from an earlier job.

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

Yes, but you will only be found may be able to access if you were not fired for misconduct. If your employer says you were fired for breaking a rule or deliberately doing something wrong, the TWC will likely deny you. If you were fired for poor performance, not understanding a task, or a first-time mistake, you may still be may be able to access. You can appeal if you disagree with the decision.

How much will I receive each week?

Your weekly benefit amount depends on how much you earned in the highest quarter of the past year. Texas pays up to $901 per week as of 2024, but the amount varies by person. Your information letter will tell you your specific weekly amount. Benefits are usually paid for up to 26 weeks, but this can change if the state or federal government extends benefits during high unemployment.

What if my employer contests my claim?

Your employer will receive a notice asking them to respond to your claim. If they say you quit or were fired for misconduct, the TWC will send you a letter giving you a chance to respond. You can explain your side of the story in writing or request a hearing. Many claims that are initially denied because of employer contests are won on appeal.

Do I have to look for work while I receive benefits?

Yes. When you file your weekly claim, you will be asked whether you looked for work that week. You must answer honestly. You do not have to provide proof of every job process, but the TWC can ask you to show your job search records if they suspect you are not looking. If you report that you did not look for work, you may lose your benefits for that week.