What the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) does and how to reach it

The Texas Workforce Commission is the state agency that processes unemployment claims in Texas. You file your claim through TWC, not through your employer or a federal office. TWC receives your process, verifies your work history, determines whether you meet the requirements, and sends you payment if you are found to be may be able to access.

You can file online at www.twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-866-329-8929, or by mail. The online portal is fastest — most people file and receive confirmation the same day. The phone line has wait times, especially early in the week and early in the month, but staff can walk you through the form if you get stuck.

TWC also runs WorkInTexas.com, a job board where you can search for openings while your claim is being processed. Some claim types require you to log in and search for work each week as a condition of receiving payments.

Key Takeaways

  • You file your claim directly with TWC online, by phone, or by mail — your employer does not file it for you.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and the names and dates of your last two employers ready before you start.
  • TWC will contact your employer to verify your work history and the reason you left or were let go, so be honest about what happened.
  • If TWC denies your claim, you have 15 days from the date on the denial letter to request a hearing before a judge.
  • While waiting for a decision, you can search for work on WorkInTexas.com and may be referred to job training programs at no cost.

What information and documents you need before filing

Gather these items before you log in or call. Having them ready cuts your filing time in half and reduces mistakes that delay payment.

Personal information: Your Social Security number, date of birth, and current mailing address. If you have moved in the last year, have your previous address ready too.

ID number: Your Texas driver's license number or state ID number. If you do not have one, you can still file, but TWC will ask for your passport number or another form of ID.

Work history: The names, addresses, and phone numbers of your last two employers. Include the dates you worked there (month and year is enough), your job title, and the reason you left — whether you were laid off, quit, or fired. If you were fired, be specific about what happened; TWC will contact your employer to verify your account anyway.

Bank account information (optional but recommended): Your bank routing number and account number if you want TWC to deposit payments directly. Direct deposit is faster and more find than a debit card or check.

Step-by-step: Filing your claim online

Step 1: Go to www.twc.texas.gov and click "File a Claim." You will land on a page with options for different claim types. Most people file a Regular Unemployment Insurance claim. If you are self-employed, a gig worker, or were laid off due to a disaster, you may see other options — read the descriptions carefully.

Step 2: Create or log into your account. If this is your first time, you will create a username and password. Write these down; you will need them to check your claim status later.

Step 3: Answer questions about your separation from work. TWC will ask why you left your job. The system has dropdown menus — select the closest match. If you were laid off, select "Lack of Work." If you quit, select "Quit" and then choose the reason (personal, health, relocation, etc.). If you were fired, select "Discharged" and describe what happened in the text box. Do not minimize or hide the reason; TWC will find out anyway when they call your employer.

Step 4: Enter your work history. Start with your most recent job. Enter the employer name, address, phone number, your job title, and the dates you worked there. Then add your previous employer. If you have worked more than two jobs in the last 18 months, you can add more, but TWC requires only the last two.

Step 5: Review and submit. Read through your answers. Check that dates are correct and employer names match what is on your pay stubs. Submit the form. You will see a confirmation number on the screen — write it down or take a screenshot.

Step 6: Watch for mail from TWC. Within one to three weeks, TWC will mail you a notice saying whether your claim was found to be may be able to access or ineligible. If may be able to access, the letter will tell you your weekly benefit amount and when payments will start.

How much you can receive and when payments start

Your weekly benefit amount is based on how much you earned in the highest-earning quarter of the 12 months before you filed. TWC divides that amount by 25 and rounds down. The minimum weekly benefit in Texas is $70; the maximum is $901 (this amount changes each year).

For example, if you earned $10,000 in your highest quarter, your weekly benefit would be $400. If you earned $3,000, your weekly benefit would be $120.

Payments usually start one to two weeks after TWC approves your claim, but the first payment may be delayed if TWC needs to verify information with your employer. You will receive a debit card in the mail or direct deposit to your bank account, depending on what you chose when you filed.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year, though this can be extended during periods of high unemployment. Check your approval letter or log into your TWC account to see how many weeks you have been approved for.

What happens after you file: The employer verification call

Within one to two weeks of filing, TWC will contact your employer to verify that you worked there, the dates you worked, and the reason you left. Your employer will be asked whether you quit, were laid off, or were fired, and whether there were any disciplinary issues.

This is why honesty matters. If you tell TWC you were laid off but your employer says you quit, TWC will deny your claim. If you say you quit for personal reasons but your employer says you were fired for theft, that mismatch will trigger a hearing.

You do not need to do anything during this step. TWC handles the call. But if you know your employer might give a different account of what happened, contact TWC before the call and explain your side. You can call the number on your claim confirmation letter and ask to speak to a claims examiner.

If TWC denies your claim

TWC will mail you a information Notice explaining why your claim was denied. Common reasons include: you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, you did not earn enough in the base period, or you did not separate from work due to lack of work.

You have 15 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. Do not wait. Mail a written request to the address on the letter, or call the number provided and ask to file an appeal by phone. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one to the hearing if you want.

An appeal sends your case to a hearing before an administrative law judge. The judge will review the evidence, listen to you and your employer, and make a new decision. This hearing usually happens by phone and takes 20 to 45 minutes. You will receive a notice in the mail with the date and time.

If you lose the appeal, you can request a further review by the Appeals Board, though this is less common. The Appeals Board looks at whether the judge followed the law correctly, not whether they made the right factual decision.

Weekly work search and reporting requirements

Once your claim is approved, you must search for work each week to keep receiving payments. TWC requires you to log into your account on WorkInTexas.com and document at least three work search activities per week. These can include explore for jobs, attending a job interview, attending a training class, or meeting with a career counselor.

You do not have to turn down a job offer to keep your benefits. If you find work, tell TWC when ready. Your benefits will stop, but you may be able to file a new claim later if you lose that job through no fault of your own.

If you do not complete your work search activities, TWC may reduce or stop your payments. The system tracks your activity automatically, so log in every week even if you do not find three new opportunities — you can log the same activity more than once if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

Yes, but only if you were fired for reasons other than misconduct. If you were fired for being late, not following safety rules, or theft, TWC will likely deny your claim. If you were fired because the company downsized or because of a conflict with a manager that was not your fault, you may be found may be able to access. Be honest about what happened — TWC will verify with your employer anyway.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

Most people receive their first payment two to four weeks after filing. The time depends on how quickly TWC can verify your work history with your employer. If your employer is slow to respond or if there is a dispute about why you left, it can take longer. You can check your claim status anytime by logging into your TWC account.

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

You only need to list your last two employers on the form. However, TWC calculates your benefit amount based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the 12 months before you filed, so earnings from all jobs count. If you had a third job that paid more than the other two, tell TWC during the filing process or call them afterward to add it.

Can I work part-time while receiving benefits?

Yes. If you earn money while receiving benefits, TWC will reduce your weekly payment by 25% of what you earned, plus $5. For example, if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $100 that week, TWC will subtract $30 (25% of $100 plus $5), leaving you $370. Report your earnings each week when you log in to search for work.

What if I move out of Texas while my claim is active?

You can continue to receive benefits if you move, but you must tell TWC. Some states have agreements with Texas to process claims for people who move, but others do not. Call TWC at 1-866-329-8929 and ask whether the state you are moving to will honor your Texas claim. If not, you may need to file a new claim in your new state.