Where to file your Texas unemployment claim

You file your unemployment claim through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), not through your employer or a federal office. TWC is the only body that processes unemployment claims in Texas. You can file online at www.tdi.texas.gov (the portal is run by the Texas Department of Insurance on behalf of TWC), by phone at 1-800-939-6631, or by mail to the TWC office in your region.

The online portal is the fastest route. It opens at 7 a.m. and closes at midnight, seven days a week. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer — company name, address, dates worked, and reason for separation. If you do not have internet access, the phone line can walk you through the process, though wait times often run 30 to 60 minutes during the first week of the month.

Mail filing takes the longest. You request a paper form by phone or online, fill it out, and mail it to the regional TWC office. Processing begins when TWC receives it, not when you send it, so this route can delay your claim by a week or more. Use mail only if you cannot access the phone or online system.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the Texas Workforce Commission at www.tdi.texas.gov or by calling 1-800-939-6631; your employer does not file for you.
  • You must report your last employer's name, address, dates worked, and the reason you left — TWC will contact them to verify your account.
  • Your claim becomes active the week you file, but benefits are not paid for the first week you are out of work (the waiting week).
  • TWC will mail you a debit card within 7 to 10 days if your claim is approved; you do not receive a check or direct deposit unless you request it.
  • You must report your income and job search activity every two weeks to keep receiving payments, or your claim will be suspended.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents before you file. You will need them whether you file online, by phone, or by mail. TWC will not process your claim without them, and missing information is the most common reason for delays.

Have your last employer's details ready: the company name exactly as it appears on your pay stub, the street address, the city and zip code, your job title, the date you started, and the date you stopped working. If you worked there under a different name (for example, if you were married and changed your name), note that too. TWC contacts your employer to confirm you worked there and why you left, so accuracy matters.

You will also need your Social Security number, your Texas driver's license or ID number, and the reason you are no longer working. The reason matters: if you were laid off, furloughed, or had hours cut, that is different from quitting or being fired. Be specific — "laid off due to lack of work" is clearer than "job ended." If you were fired, write down what happened; TWC will ask your employer for their version, and they compare the stories.

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have all their information ready. TWC uses your wage history to calculate your weekly benefit amount, so they need to know everywhere you worked.

How TWC calculates your weekly benefit amount

Your weekly benefit is not the same as your weekly pay. TWC takes your total wages from the base period — the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed — divides by 52, and pays you roughly 37 percent of that amount. The maximum weekly benefit in Texas is set by law and changes each year; it was $901 per week in 2024, but you should confirm the current maximum when you file.

The base period is automatic and you cannot change it. If you filed in January 2025, your base period would be July 2023 through June 2024. Wages from your current job do not count. If you worked part-time or had gaps between jobs, your benefit will be lower than if you worked full-time all year.

TWC mails you a information of Benefit Amount letter after they process your claim. This letter shows how much you earned in each quarter of your base period, the weekly amount TWC calculated, and the maximum number of weeks you can draw (usually 26 weeks in Texas, though this can change). Read it carefully. If the wage amounts are wrong, you have 30 days to dispute them by calling TWC or filing a written protest.

The waiting week and when payments start

Texas has a one-week waiting period. This means the first week you are out of work does not pay, even if you file when ready. If you stop working on a Monday and file that same day, you still do not receive payment for that week. Your payments begin in the second week.

Payments are made every two weeks, on a debit card that TWC mails to you. The card arrives within 7 to 10 days of approval. You can use it like a regular debit card at ATMs and stores, or you can request direct deposit to your bank account instead by calling TWC after you receive the card.

The timeline from filing to first payment is usually three to four weeks: one week for TWC to process your claim, one week waiting period, then one to two weeks for the debit card to arrive and the first payment to post. If your claim is delayed because TWC needs more information from you or your employer, the first payment takes longer.

What disqualifies you or reduces your payment

You are disqualified if you quit your job without good cause. Good cause means a reason connected to your work — unsafe conditions, wage theft, a substantial change in your job duties, or harassment. Quitting because you found another job, did not like your boss, or wanted to move is not good cause. If you quit, TWC will contact your employer and ask why you left. If the employer says you quit and you cannot show good cause, your claim will be denied.

You are also disqualified if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule you knew about, or you were so careless that it shows you did not care about your job. Being late once or making a small mistake is not misconduct. Being late repeatedly after being warned, or stealing, or showing up drunk is misconduct. Again, TWC asks your employer for their side of the story.

Your payment is reduced or stopped if you earn money while drawing unemployment. If you work part-time or do gig work, you must report those earnings every two weeks. TWC subtracts a portion of what you earn from your benefit — the exact formula depends on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you keep the first $10 to $15 of weekly earnings and lose 25 percent of anything above that. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week but your claim stays open.

You lose your benefits if you refuse a suitable job that TWC or a job center offers you. Suitable means the job matches your skills and experience and pays at least 75 percent of your previous wage. You can refuse a job if it is unsuitable, but you must tell TWC why within 10 days or your claim will be denied.

Your ongoing reporting requirements

Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every two weeks to keep receiving payments. You do this online at the same portal where you filed your initial claim, by phone, or by mail. TWC will send you a schedule showing which weeks you must report.

When you file your weekly claim, you report whether you worked, how much you earned, and whether you looked for work. If you earned money, you must report it — do not skip this step hoping TWC will not find out. Employers report wages to the state, and TWC cross-checks them. If you underreport or do not report, you will owe back the overpayment plus a penalty.

You do not have to prove you looked for work by showing applications or interviews, but you must answer yes or no to the question "Did you look for work this week?" If you answer no, TWC may ask you why you are still drawing benefits. If you are unable to work due to illness or injury, you can report that instead, but you cannot draw unemployment while you are unable to work — you would need to file for disability benefits instead.

Missing a weekly report important date stops your payments when ready. If you miss a report, file it as soon as you realize it. TWC will usually reinstate your claim if you file within two weeks of the important date, but you will not receive payment for the weeks you missed.

What happens if TWC denies your claim

If TWC denies your claim, they mail you a information Notice explaining why. Common reasons are: you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, you did not work enough in your base period to meet the minimum wage requirement, or you did not provide required information.

You have 30 days from the date on the notice to file a Request for Reconsideration. You can file online, by phone, or by mail. In your request, explain why you think TWC made a mistake. If your employer said you quit and you say you were laid off, explain what happened and provide any evidence — a termination letter, a text message from your manager, a witness who was there, anything that supports your version.

If TWC denies your reconsideration request, you can request a hearing before a hearing officer. This is a formal process where you and your employer present your sides of the story. The hearing officer decides whether to overturn the denial. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer. Request the hearing within 30 days of the reconsideration denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was laid off due to a temporary shutdown or furlough?

Yes. A temporary layoff or furlough counts as lack of work, which is a valid reason for unemployment. File your claim as soon as your employer tells you the layoff will last more than a few days. If you are called back to work, contact TWC when ready to stop your claim, or you will owe back any payments you received after you returned to work.

What if I worked for a contractor or temp agency?

Report the temp agency or contractor as your employer, along with the company where you actually worked if you know it. TWC will sort out who paid you. If the temp agency or contractor disputes that you worked there, TWC will ask for proof — your pay stub, a letter from the company, or a witness. Provide whatever you have.

Do I have to report my job search if I am waiting to be called back?

No, if your employer told you that you would be called back and gave you a specific date or timeframe. Report that you are on temporary layoff awaiting recall. Once that date passes and you are not called back, you must start reporting job search activity or answer no and explain why you are not looking.

What if I became unable to work due to illness or injury while drawing unemployment?

Stop filing weekly claims when ready and contact TWC. You cannot draw unemployment while you are unable to work. You may be able to file for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) through the state instead, but that is a separate program with different rules. Call TWC to ask about your options.

Can I draw unemployment while I am in school or training?

It depends on the program. If you are in a TWC-approved training program, you may be able to draw unemployment while you train. If you are in school on your own, you generally cannot draw unemployment if school is your primary activity. Contact TWC or a local workforce center to ask whether your specific program qualifies.