What you need to do to file for unemployment in Texas

To file for unemployment in Texas, you go to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) website and create an account, then answer questions about your job loss, your work history, and your earnings. The whole process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You can file online at twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-888-209-8346, or in person at a TWC office. Most people file online because it is faster and you get a confirmation number right away.

Texas processes claims in about two weeks. During that time, TWC verifies your information with your former employer and checks whether you meet the basic rules: you lost your job through no fault of your own, you earned enough in the past year, and you are ready and able to work. If everything checks out, you will be told your weekly benefit amount and when payments start. If TWC needs more information, they will contact you by mail or phone.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-888-209-8346, or at a local TWC office; online is fastest.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and work history for the past 18 months ready before you start.
  • TWC will contact your former employer to verify you were laid off or had your hours cut, not fired for misconduct.
  • Weekly benefits in Texas range based on your past earnings, and you must report your work search activity every two weeks to keep receiving payments.
  • If TWC denies your claim, you have 15 days to file an appeal and request a hearing.

What documents and information to gather first

Before you start the filing process, collect these items so you do not have to stop and search for them: your Social Security number, your driver's license or state ID number, your current mailing address, and a phone number where TWC can reach you. You will also need the name, address, and phone number of your most recent employer, and the dates you worked there.

If you have worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, write down the names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates for each one. TWC uses this information to calculate your benefit amount based on your earnings in the highest-paid quarter of the past year. Have your most recent pay stubs or a written record of what you earned; if you do not have these, TWC can request them from your employer.

If you were self-employed or worked as an independent contractor, have your business name and the dates you operated. If you received a 1099 form, have that handy. Self-employment income is treated differently, and TWC may ask for tax returns or other proof of earnings.

Step-by-step: Filing online at twc.texas.gov

Step 1: Go to twc.texas.gov and click "File a Claim." You will land on a page that explains what unemployment is and who can file. Read the may be able to access summary, then click the button to begin. You will be asked to create a login account or sign in if you already have one.

Step 2: Create your account or log in. If this is your first time, you will enter your email address and create a password. TWC will send you a confirmation email; click the link to verify your account. If you already filed a claim before, use your existing login.

Step 3: Answer questions about your job loss. TWC will ask why you are no longer working. Select the reason that matches your situation: laid off, hours reduced, quit with good cause, fired, or other. Be honest and specific. If you were laid off or had hours cut, that usually supports your claim. If you quit or were fired, TWC will investigate further.

Step 4: Provide your work history. List every employer you worked for in the past 18 months. For each one, enter the company name, address, phone number, your job title, the dates you worked, and your reason for leaving. TWC will contact these employers to verify the information.

Step 5: Report your earnings. Enter your gross weekly or monthly pay from each job. If your pay varied, give your average. TWC uses this to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Do not estimate; use actual pay stubs or records if you have them.

Step 6: Answer questions about your availability to work. TWC will ask whether you are physically able to work, whether you are looking for a job, and whether anything would prevent you from starting work when ready. Answer honestly. If you say you are not available to work, your claim will be denied.

Step 7: Review and submit. Read through all your answers. If anything is wrong, go back and fix it. When everything is correct, click submit. You will get a confirmation number and a claim number. Write these down or take a screenshot.

What happens after you file

TWC will send you a letter in the mail within about one week confirming that your claim was received. This letter will include your claim number, your weekly benefit amount, and the week your payments are supposed to start. Keep this letter in a safe place.

TWC will also contact your former employer to verify that you were laid off or had your hours reduced, and that you did not quit or get fired for misconduct. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If your employer disputes your claim or says you were fired, TWC will contact you and may schedule a phone hearing so you can explain your side.

If everything is verified and no dispute is filed, your first payment will be deposited into your bank account or sent to a debit card (depending on which method you chose during filing) about two weeks after you filed. Payments come every week on the same day.

Reporting your work search activity every two weeks

Once your claim is approved, you must report your work search activity every two weeks to keep receiving payments. This means you have to look for work and document what you did. TWC will send you a form by mail or email asking you to list the jobs you applied for, the companies you contacted, and the dates.

You need to report at least three work search activities per week. An activity can be submitting an process online, going to a job interview, calling a company about a job opening, attending a job training class, or meeting with a career counselor. Volunteering and self-employment work do not count.

If you do not report your work search activity by the important date, your payments will stop. If you miss reporting for two weeks in a row, TWC may close your claim. You can report online at twc.texas.gov, by phone, or by mail. Most people report online because it is fastest.

Common reasons claims are denied or delayed

TWC denies claims most often because the person quit their job without good cause, was fired for misconduct, or did not earn enough in the past year to meet the minimum. If you quit, you have to show that you had a good reason — for example, your employer cut your pay significantly, reduced your hours below what you agreed to, or created an unsafe work environment. straightforward not liking your job is not good cause.

Claims are also delayed when TWC cannot reach your employer to verify your information, when your employer disputes your account of why you left, or when you do not respond to a request for more information. If TWC sends you a letter asking for documents or answers, respond within the important date they give you, usually 10 days. If you miss the important date, your claim may be denied.

Another common delay happens when you do not report your work search activity on time. Even if your claim is approved, missing a report can pause your payments until you catch up.

What to do if your claim is denied

If TWC denies your claim, they will send you a letter explaining the reason. Read it carefully. The letter will also tell you that you have 15 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. Do not wait — file your appeal before the 15 days are up, or you lose the right to challenge the decision.

To appeal, go to twc.texas.gov, log into your account, and click "File an Appeal." You will answer questions about why you think TWC made a mistake. Be specific and honest. For example, if TWC says you quit without good cause, explain what happened: your hours were cut, your pay was reduced, or your employer asked you to do something unsafe.

After you file an appeal, TWC will schedule a phone hearing, usually within two to four weeks. You will talk to a hearing officer who will listen to your side and your employer's side, then make a decision. If you win, you will be paid back to the week you first filed. If you lose, you can appeal again to the Texas Workforce Commission Appeals Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I get paid each week?

Your weekly benefit amount depends on how much you earned in the highest-paid quarter of the past 12 months. Texas calculates this by taking your total earnings in that quarter and dividing by 26 weeks. The minimum is $70 per week and the maximum is $901 per week as of 2024, but these amounts change yearly. TWC will tell you your exact amount in the letter you receive after your claim is approved.

Can I file if I was fired?

You can file, but TWC will investigate. If you were fired for misconduct — meaning you broke a rule, were dishonest, or refused to do your job — your claim will be denied. If you were fired for poor performance or because your employer said you were not a good fit, that is usually not misconduct, and you may be approved. Your employer will have a chance to explain why they fired you.

What if I am still working part-time?

You can file for partial unemployment if your hours were cut or you are working fewer days per week than before. Report your part-time earnings on your work search report every two weeks. TWC will subtract a portion of your part-time pay from your weekly benefit, but you will usually still receive some payment. The exact amount depends on how much you are earning.

How long do benefits last?

In Texas, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks if you meet all the requirements and continue to report your work search activity. If you exhaust your regular benefits and the state unemployment rate is high, you may be able to receive extended benefits for up to 13 additional weeks, but this depends on the current economic situation.

What if I move to another state while receiving benefits?

You can continue to receive Texas unemployment benefits even if you move, as long as you keep reporting your work search activity and remain available to work. However, if you move to take a job, you should report that to TWC because it may affect your benefits. If you move and want to file a new claim in the other state, you will have to start over with that state's unemployment program.