File your claim with the Texas Workforce Commission online or by phone

To file for unemployment in Texas, you submit a claim directly to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). You can file online through the TWC website, by phone at 1-888-TWC-2YOU (1-888-892-2968), or in person at a local workforce office. Most people file online because it is faster and you get a confirmation number when ready.

When you file, you will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer — their name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. If you were laid off, you will also need to know the reason. Have your last pay stub handy so you can verify your wages.

The TWC processes claims within one to two weeks. During that time, they contact your former employer to verify that you were employed and to ask why you left or were terminated. Your employer's answer matters: if they say you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct, TWC may deny your claim. You can appeal that decision if you disagree.

Key Takeaways

  • File your claim online at the TWC website, by phone, or at a workforce office within two weeks of losing your job — waiting longer can reduce the amount you receive.
  • You must have earned at least $1,560 in your base period (the first four of the last five calendar quarters before you filed) to meet the minimum wage requirement.
  • Weekly benefit amounts in Texas range based on your prior earnings, but the maximum is set by the state and changes yearly.
  • You must report any income you earn while receiving benefits, and you cannot receive payments for weeks you did not work or refused suitable work without good cause.
  • If TWC denies your claim, you have 15 days to file an appeal and request a hearing before a judge.

What earnings and work history you need

Texas has a base period — the 12-month window TWC uses to check whether you earned enough to receive benefits. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. For example, if you file in March 2024, your base period is January 2023 through December 2023.

You must have earned at least $1,560 during that base period to meet the minimum threshold. You also cannot have earned more than $20,800 in any single quarter during that period, or you may be subject to different rules. Most people who worked full-time for several months will meet this requirement.

If you did not earn enough in your standard base period, TWC can look at an alternate base period — the last four completed calendar quarters. This gives you a second chance if you had a gap in work or started a job late in the year. Ask TWC about this option when you file if you think you might not meet the standard requirement.

How much you will receive each week

Your weekly benefit amount depends on your average weekly wage during your base period. TWC calculates this by dividing your total base period earnings by 52. The state then applies a formula to determine your weekly payment, which ranges from a minimum to a maximum amount set by the state legislature.

The maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year based on the state's average wage. As of 2024, the maximum is $901 per week, but this figure changes annually. Your actual payment will be lower if your earnings were below the state average. You can see an estimate of your weekly amount when you file your claim online.

Benefits are paid by debit card (the Lone Star Card) or direct deposit to your bank account. Payments are issued weekly on Thursdays if you are found to be without work and have met all other requirements. If you have a waiting week — a period before benefits begin — that week is unpaid.

Work requirements and reporting rules

While you receive unemployment benefits, you must be able and available to work. This means you cannot be in school full-time, caring for a child without childcare, or unable to accept a job offer because of illness or other barriers. You also cannot refuse suitable work without good cause.

Each week you claim benefits, you must report whether you worked and how much you earned. If you earned any income — from part-time work, self-employment, or a temporary job — you must report it. TWC will reduce your benefit payment dollar-for-dollar for earnings above a small threshold (usually around $5 per week), so hiding income will only delay your payments and create a debt you will owe back.

You are also expected to search for work. Texas does not require you to document job searches or provide proof of applications, but TWC can ask you to show that you are actively looking. If you turn down a job offer without a valid reason — such as unsafe working conditions, pay far below your usual wage, or a commute that is unreasonable — TWC can stop your benefits.

When TWC denies your claim or stops payments

TWC denies claims most often because the claimant quit their job without good cause, was fired for misconduct, or did not earn enough in the base period. "Good cause" means a reason that would make a reasonable person leave — such as unsafe conditions, wage theft, or a significant change in job duties. Leaving because you disliked the boss or wanted a different schedule usually does not count.

If your claim is denied, TWC sends you a written notice explaining why. You have 15 days from the date on that notice to file an appeal. You can appeal online, by mail, or by phone. When you appeal, you can submit written statements, documents, or ask for a hearing before a hearing officer — an independent judge who reviews both your account and your employer's.

TWC can also stop your benefits if you fail to report earnings, refuse work, or become unavailable to work. If this happens, you will receive a notice. You can appeal that decision the same way — within 15 days, in writing or by phone. Many people win on appeal because they have new information or because the employer's account was incomplete.

Special situations: Partial unemployment, self-employment, and severance

If you are still working part-time or have reduced hours, you may still receive partial benefits. TWC will subtract your earnings from your weekly benefit amount, so you receive a reduced payment. This is useful if you found a part-time job while looking for full-time work.

If you are self-employed or own a business, you generally cannot receive unemployment benefits because you are not "unemployed" in the legal sense. However, if you worked as an employee for someone else before starting your business, your wages from that employment may count toward your base period.

Severance pay, vacation pay, or other lump-sum payments from your employer do not automatically disqualify you, but they may delay your benefits. TWC counts these as wages for the week in which you receive them, which can reduce or eliminate your payment that week. Ask your employer to spread the payment over multiple weeks if possible, or ask TWC how it will be treated.

How long benefits last and what happens when they end

In Texas, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks (about six months) in a benefit year. A benefit year runs for 52 weeks starting from the week you file your claim. Once you have received 26 weeks of payments, your regular benefits end.

During times of high unemployment, the federal government may fund extended benefits that add additional weeks beyond the state maximum. These are not automatic — Congress must pass legislation to fund them, and your state must meet certain unemployment thresholds. When extended benefits are available, TWC notifies claimants and explains how to file for them.

When your benefits end, you can file a new claim only after your benefit year closes (52 weeks from your original filing date). At that point, TWC will look at your earnings in a new base period to see if you meet the requirements again. If you have been working and earning wages, you likely will.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was fired — can I still get benefits?

It depends on why you were fired. If you were terminated for misconduct — such as theft, violence, or repeated violations of clear rules after warnings — you will be denied. If you were fired for poor performance, inability to do the job, or a mistake, you may still be found without fault. Your employer will explain the reason to TWC, and you can dispute their account at a hearing.

Do I have to report my job search to TWC?

Texas does not require you to keep a written log of job applications or submit proof of your search. However, TWC can ask you to describe your search efforts, and if you cannot show that you are actively looking, they may question whether you are truly available for work. Keep notes of where you applied and when, just in case.

Can I receive unemployment if I am on disability or Social Security?

You can receive both unemployment and Social Security retirement or disability benefits at the same time, but your unemployment payment may be reduced. Some types of Social Security income count as earnings and reduce your weekly benefit. Contact TWC to ask how your specific benefits will be treated.

What if my employer contests my claim?

Your employer can file a protest with TWC within 10 days of receiving notice of your claim. If they do, TWC will investigate and may hold a hearing. You will be notified and can attend to tell your side of the story. Many employer protests are denied because the employer cannot prove misconduct or because the reason for separation does not disqualify you under Texas law.

Can I file for unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Yes. A layoff due to lack of work, lack of orders, or a temporary shutdown is not your fault, and you will almost always be found without fault. File your claim as soon as you are laid off. If your employer tells you that you will be called back, you can still file — being on temporary layoff does not prevent you from receiving benefits.