What the Texas Workforce Commission does and how to reach them

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency that processes unemployment claims and pays benefits to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. TWC does not decide whether you get benefits — a TWC examiner reviews your claim and the employer's response, then makes that information. You file your claim with TWC, but the actual decision comes from their Benefits information section after they contact your employer.

You can file a claim online at www.twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-888-TWC-2YOU (1-888-892-2968), or in person at a TWC office. The online method is fastest and lets you track your claim status when ready. The phone line has wait times, especially early in the week and during high-volume periods. In-person filing at a local TWC office is an option if you need help with the form or have questions during the process.

TWC also runs the WorkInTexas job board, where you can search for open positions while you are receiving benefits. Some benefits programs require you to show you are looking for work, so having a record of your job search through WorkInTexas can help if TWC asks for proof.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file your claim within a specific window after your job ends — filing late can delay or reduce your benefits, so do not wait.
  • TWC will contact your employer to verify the reason you left or were let go; if the employer says you quit without cause, you may be denied.
  • Your weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings in the base period (usually the first four of the last five calendar quarters before you filed), not on how long you worked.
  • You must report your earnings each week if you work part-time or find temporary work while receiving benefits, or your payment will be reduced or stopped.
  • If TWC denies your claim, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge, and you can bring evidence or a witness to support your case.

The base period and how TWC calculates your weekly benefit amount

TWC does not pay you based on how long you worked at your last job. Instead, they look at your earnings during a specific three-month window called the base period. The base period is usually the first four calendar quarters before the quarter in which you filed your claim. For example, if you file in March 2024, your base period is October 2022 through September 2023.

TWC takes your total earnings during that base period and divides by 52 to find your average weekly wage. Your weekly benefit amount is roughly 37% of that average, with a minimum and maximum that TWC updates each year. The minimum is currently around $50 per week and the maximum around $901 per week, though these figures change annually. You can see the current amounts on the TWC website.

If you earned very little during the base period — or nothing at all — you may not meet the earnings threshold to receive benefits. TWC requires you to have earned at least $1,560 during the base period to be considered for benefits, though this amount can vary slightly. If you do not meet this threshold, your claim will be denied, and you cannot appeal that decision because it is a rule, not a judgment call.

Reasons TWC will deny your claim

The most common reason for denial is separation from employment. If you quit your job, TWC will deny your claim unless you can show you quit for "good cause attributable to the employer." Good cause means the employer did something that made it impossible or unreasonable to stay — not that you found a better job or wanted a change. Examples that might count: the employer cut your hours drastically, changed your pay without notice, or created an unsafe working condition.

If you were fired, TWC will deny your claim only if the employer shows 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 doing your job right. Being slow at your job, making honest mistakes, or not being a good fit are not misconduct. If the employer says you were fired for misconduct, you will get a chance to tell your side of the story.

Other reasons for denial include not meeting the earnings threshold during the base period, being disqualified because you are receiving workers' compensation or another benefit that covers the same period, or being unable to work due to illness or injury. If you are in school full-time, you may also be denied because TWC considers you unavailable for work.

What happens after you file: the timeline and the employer response

After you file your claim online or by phone, TWC sends you a confirmation number and tells you when to expect your first payment. You should receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. That card is how TWC pays you — there is no check option.

Within a few days of your filing, TWC contacts your employer to ask why you are no longer working there. The employer has about 10 days to respond. If the employer does not respond, TWC usually approves your claim. If the employer responds and disputes your reason for leaving, TWC will contact you to ask for your version of events. This is called a fact-finding interview. You can do this by phone, and TWC will call you at the number you provided on your claim.

After the fact-finding interview, a TWC examiner reviews both your statement and the employer's statement and makes a information. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining the decision. If you are approved, your benefits begin. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request a hearing.

Weekly reporting and how to avoid losing your benefits

Every week you receive benefits, you must report your work and earnings to TWC. If you did not work that week, you report zero earnings. If you worked part-time or found temporary work, you must report exactly how much you earned, including tips and bonuses. You report through the TWC website or by phone, and you must do this by the important date TWC gives you — usually by the end of the week you worked.

If you earn money and do not report it, TWC will find out when your employer files wage records, and you will be asked to repay the overpayment. If you intentionally hide earnings, TWC can also impose a penalty on top of the repayment. Reporting honestly is much simpler than dealing with an overpayment later.

TWC reduces your weekly benefit by 25% of what you earn, plus $5. So if you earn $100 in a week, TWC subtracts $30 (25% of $100 plus $5) from your benefit that week. If your earnings are high enough, your benefit for that week drops to zero, but you do not lose your claim — you just do not get paid that week.

How long benefits last and what happens when they run out

Regular unemployment benefits in Texas last up to 26 weeks. The exact number of weeks you receive depends on the unemployment rate in Texas at the time you file. When the unemployment rate is low, you may receive fewer weeks. When it is high, you may receive the full 26 weeks. TWC will tell you how many weeks you are may have access to to when you file.

If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still out of work, you may be able to receive Extended Benefits (EB). Extended Benefits are available only when the state unemployment rate meets a certain threshold, which changes based on economic conditions. When EB is available, it adds up to 13 additional weeks of payments. You do not have to explore separately — if you are still unemployed when your regular benefits end and EB is available, TWC will automatically move you to the Extended Benefits program.

If you are still unemployed after Extended Benefits end, there are no more state-level unemployment benefits available. You may be able to look into other programs, such as SNAP (food information) or TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families), depending on your income and household situation.

Requesting a hearing if your claim is denied

If TWC denies your claim, the denial letter will include instructions for requesting a hearing. You have 15 days from the date on the letter to request one. You can request a hearing online, by mail, or by phone. Do not wait — if you miss the 15-day window, you lose your right to a hearing and cannot appeal the decision.

At the hearing, you will speak to an administrative law judge (ALJ) who works for the state but is not employed by TWC. The judge listens to your side and the employer's side, then makes a new decision. You can bring documents (like emails, texts, or a written account of what happened), and you can bring a witness who can speak to the facts. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one if you want to.

The hearing is usually held by phone or video conference. TWC will send you the date, time, and instructions in the mail. If you miss the hearing without calling ahead to reschedule, the judge will make a decision based only on what the employer says, which usually means you lose. If you cannot make the scheduled time, call the number on the hearing notice as soon as possible to ask for a different date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. A layoff due to lack of work is not your fault, so you should be approved for benefits. TWC will still contact your employer to confirm the reason, but layoffs are a standard reason for approval. File as soon as you know you are laid off — do not wait to see if the employer calls you back.

What if I quit because my employer cut my hours in half?

You may be approved if you can show the cut in hours made it impossible to support yourself or was a sudden, significant change without notice. This is considered good cause attributable to the employer. Be ready to explain the situation in detail during your fact-finding interview, and bring any documentation (like pay stubs or a written notice from the employer) that shows the change.

Do I have to look for work while I am receiving benefits?

Texas does not currently require you to show active job search as a condition of receiving benefits, though this can change. However, you must be able and available to work. If you are in school full-time, have a medical condition that prevents work, or are unavailable for other reasons, you may be denied or lose your benefits. Using the WorkInTexas job board creates a record of your search, which is helpful if TWC ever asks for proof.

What if I find part-time work while receiving benefits?

Report your earnings every week, even if they are small. TWC reduces your benefit by 25% of your earnings plus $5, but you keep the rest. Many people work part-time while receiving unemployment — it is allowed and common. Just make sure you report honestly and on time each week.

How do I check the status of my claim?

Log into your account on the TWC website using your Social Security number and PIN. You can see whether your claim was approved or denied, how many weeks of benefits you have left, and the status of any pending fact-finding interview. You can also call the TWC phone line, though wait times are usually longer than checking online.