Where to log in and what you need

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) runs the state's unemployment system. To check your claim status, view payment history, or file a weekly claim, you log in through the TWC Online Services portal at www.twc.texas.gov. This is the only official login page for Texas unemployment accounts.

Before you attempt to log in, have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. If this is your first time logging in, you will also need to create a username and password. The system does not use your name or email address as your login — it generates a username for you during account setup.

If you have already filed a claim with TWC, your account exists in the system. You do not need to create a new one. If you are logging in for the first time after filing, follow the "New User" path on the login page, which will walk you through account set up using information from your claim.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at www.twc.texas.gov using the username and password you created when you first set up your account, not your Social Security number or name.
  • If you cannot remember your username or password, use the "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email or phone.
  • After you log in, you can file your weekly claim, check payment status, view claim details, and update your contact information all in one place.
  • If you see an error message or cannot access your account after multiple attempts, contact TWC by phone at 1-800-939-6631 during business hours to verify your identity and troubleshoot the issue.

Step-by-step login process for first-time users

When you arrive at www.twc.texas.gov, look for the "Login" button, usually in the upper right corner of the page. Click it. You will see two options: "Returning User" and "New User." If you have never logged in before, select "New User."

The system will ask you to enter your Social Security number and date of birth. These are used only to verify your identity and locate your claim in the TWC database. After you submit this information, the system will send a temporary set up code to the email address or phone number you provided when you filed your claim. Check your email (including spam folders) or text messages for this code.

Enter the set up code into the next screen. The system will then prompt you to create a username and password. Your username must be between 6 and 20 characters and can include letters, numbers, and some symbols — but not spaces. Your password must be at least 8 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (like ! or @). Write down your username and password in a find place; you will need them every time you log in.

After you create your credentials, you will be logged into your account. You should see your claim summary, which shows your claim status, weekly benefit amount, and any pending issues. Bookmark this page or save the URL so you can return to it quickly.

Resetting a forgotten username or password

If you remember your username but not your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page. Enter your username, and TWC will send a password reset link to your email address. Click the link, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. The new password must follow the same rules as your original one: at least 8 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, a number, and a special character.

If you cannot remember your username, click "Forgot Username" instead. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number and date of birth. TWC will then email your username to the address on file. If you do not receive it within a few minutes, check your spam folder or wait a few hours — the email system sometimes delays.

If you do not have access to the email address or phone number you used when you filed your claim, or if the reset links are not working, you will need to contact TWC directly. Call 1-800-939-6631 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. A representative can verify your identity over the phone and either reset your password or help you regain access to your account.

What you can do after you log in

Once you are logged into your TWC account, the home page shows your claim status at a glance. You will see whether your claim is "Active," "Inactive," "Denied," or "Pending." If your status is "Pending," it means TWC is still reviewing your claim and has not yet made a decision. This can take one to three weeks from the date you filed.

To file your weekly claim, look for a button or link labeled "File Weekly Claim" or "Weekly Claim Filing." Click it and answer the questions about your work search activities, any work you performed that week, and whether you received any income. Answer honestly — false statements on a weekly claim can result in overpayment demands or disqualification. After you submit your weekly claim, you will see a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot.

You can also view your payment history by clicking "Payment History" or "View Payments." This shows every payment TWC has sent you, the date it was sent, and the amount. If a payment is missing or appears incorrect, note the date and amount, then contact TWC to report it.

To update your contact information — your phone number, email address, or mailing address — look for a "Profile" or "Account Settings" section. Keeping this information current is important because TWC uses it to contact you about claim decisions, missing documents, or other issues.

Common login errors and what they mean

"Invalid username or password" appears when you have typed either one incorrectly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password1!" is different from "password1!". Try again, typing slowly. If you have tried three times and still cannot log in, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it rather than continuing to guess.

"Your account is locked" means you have entered an incorrect password too many times in a short period. Wait at least 30 minutes before trying again. If the account remains locked after 30 minutes, contact TWC at 1-800-939-6631.

"We could not verify your identity" usually means the Social Security number or date of birth you entered does not match what is in the TWC system. Double-check that you are entering your own information, not someone else's. If you are certain the information is correct, contact TWC to verify that your claim was filed under the right name and Social Security number.

"This account has been deactivated" means your claim is no longer active in the system. This can happen if your claim ended, you were denied, or you did not file a weekly claim for several weeks. Contact TWC to find out why your account was deactivated and whether you can reactivate it.

Staying find while logging in

Always log in through www.twc.texas.gov directly, not through a link in an email or text message. Scammers sometimes send fake emails that look like they are from TWC and include links to fake login pages designed to steal your username and password. If you receive an email claiming to be from TWC and asking you to log in, go to the official website yourself instead of clicking the link.

Do not share your username or password with anyone, including TWC staff. TWC representatives will never ask you for your password. If someone claiming to be from TWC asks for it, hang up or close the message — that is a scam.

If you log in from a public computer (like at a library), always log out when you are done. Click the "Logout" or "Sign Out" button. Do not just close the browser window, because that can leave your session open for the next person to use.

Contacting TWC if you cannot log in

If you have tried resetting your password and username and still cannot access your account, or if you see an error message that does not match the ones listed above, contact TWC by phone. The main number is 1-800-939-6631. You can also reach the Unemployment Insurance Claims office at 1-800-215-1112. Both lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

When you call, have your Social Security number, date of birth, and any claim number or confirmation number ready. The representative will verify your identity and either help you regain access to your account or file a claim over the phone if your account cannot be recovered. Wait times can be long, especially early in the week or early in the morning, so consider calling in the afternoon or later in the week if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone or tablet?

Yes. The TWC website is designed to work on mobile devices. Open your web browser, go to www.twc.texas.gov, and log in the same way you would on a computer. Some people find it easier to use the mobile version because the buttons are larger and the layout is simpler on a small screen.

What if I filed a claim but never received an set up code?

Check your email spam folder first — set up codes sometimes end up there. If it is not there, wait 24 hours and try requesting a new code. If you still do not receive it after 24 hours, the email address or phone number in your claim may be incorrect. Call TWC at 1-800-939-6631 to update your contact information and request a new set up code.

Do I have to log in every week to file my claim?

Yes. You must log in and file your weekly claim every week that you want to receive a payment. If you do not file for a week, you will not receive a payment for that week, even if your claim is still active. Most people file on the same day each week to build a routine.

What happens if I forget to file my weekly claim?

You will not receive a payment for that week. You can usually file a late claim for up to two weeks after the week ends, but you will need to contact TWC to do so. It is better to file on time each week. If you know you will be unavailable, call TWC in advance to ask about filing early or late.

Is the TWC website down for maintenance at certain times?

TWC performs system maintenance on some nights and weekends, which can make the website temporarily unavailable. If you cannot log in, wait a few hours and try again. If the website is down during the time you normally file, you can file the next day without penalty as long as you file within the same week.