Where to log in depends on which Texas benefit you receive

Texas runs separate login portals for different benefit programs, so the first step is knowing which one you need. If you receive unemployment insurance, that is the TWC (Texas Workforce Commission) portal. If you receive SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or CHIP, those all go through Your Texas Benefits — a single account that covers multiple programs. If you are unsure which program you are in, check your benefit letter or the card you use to receive payments.

The two systems do not share passwords or accounts. Creating a login for one does not create a login for the other. You may need accounts in both places if you receive unemployment and also receive SNAP or Medicaid.

Both portals require you to set up an account before you can log in. If you have never logged in before, you will need to register first — that process is different from logging in to an existing account.

Key Takeaways

  • Unemployment insurance uses the TWC portal at www.twc.texas.gov; SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP all use Your Texas Benefits at yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov.
  • You must create a new account before you can log in for the first time, and the registration process is separate from logging in.
  • Your Texas Benefits accounts require a Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address or phone number to set up.
  • If you forget your password, both portals have a "Forgot Password" link on the login page that will send a reset code to your email or phone.
  • You can check your benefit balance, view payment history, and report changes to your household without calling an office.

Logging into the TWC portal for unemployment insurance

Go to www.twc.texas.gov and look for the login button in the upper right corner of the page. Click it, then select "Login to Your Account" or "Create an Account" depending on whether you have logged in before. If you are creating an account for the first time, you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address or phone number.

Once your account is created, you can log in using your email address (or the phone number you registered with) and the password you set. After you log in, you can view your claim status, check payment history, certify for continued benefits if required, and report any changes to your work status or income.

The TWC portal also shows you the amount of your weekly benefit, how many weeks of benefits remain in your claim year, and the date of your next required certification. If you are required to certify weekly or biweekly, you must do this through the portal or by phone to keep receiving payments.

Logging into Your Texas Benefits for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP

Go to yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov and click "Login" at the top of the page. If you do not have an account yet, select "Create Account" and enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address or phone number. Texas will send a verification code to the email or phone number you provide — you must enter that code to finish creating your account.

Once your account is active, log in with your email address (or phone number) and password. You will see a dashboard showing which programs you are enrolled in. From there, you can view your current benefit amount, check your payment history, upload documents if the program asks for them, and report changes to your household — such as a new job, a change in income, or a household member moving out.

Your Texas Benefits is also where you receive notices about your case. If the program needs more information from you, you will see a message in your account asking you to upload documents or call. Responding through the portal is usually faster than calling an office.

What to do if you cannot remember your password

Both the TWC portal and Your Texas Benefits have a "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Click it and enter the email address or phone number you used to create your account. The system will send a password reset code to that email or phone number. Enter the code on the next page, then create a new password.

If you do not receive the reset code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes the email goes there by mistake. If you still do not see it after 10 minutes, try requesting the code again. If the email address or phone number in your account is no longer active, you will need to contact the program by phone to update your contact information before you can reset your password.

Creating a new account if you have never logged in

For the TWC portal, go to www.twc.texas.gov, click the login button, and select "Create an Account." You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address or phone number. Enter those details, create a password, and submit. Your account will be active when ready, and you can log in right away.

For Your Texas Benefits, go to yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov and click "Create Account." Enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address or phone number. Texas will send a verification code to that contact method — you must enter the code to finish. Once verified, you can set your password and log in.

If you are creating an account for someone else — such as a parent managing a child's Medicaid — you will need that person's Social Security number and date of birth. You cannot create an account using someone else's information without their permission, and some programs require the account holder to verify the account themselves before another person can access it.

Troubleshooting common login problems

If you see a message that your username or password is incorrect, make sure you are using the right email address or phone number and that you typed your password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so check whether Caps Lock is on. If you are sure your password is correct, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.

If the portal says your account does not exist, you may be trying to log into the wrong system. Unemployment uses the TWC portal; SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP use Your Texas Benefits. If you are in the right portal and still see this message, you may not have finished creating your account yet — go back to the "Create Account" page and complete all the steps, including verifying your email or phone number.

If the website is very slow or will not load, try a different web browser or wait a few minutes and try again. Both portals sometimes experience heavy traffic, especially early in the month or on Mondays. If the problem continues for more than an hour, you can call the program directly: TWC at 1-800-939-6631 for unemployment, or 2-1-1 Texas for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP.

What you can and cannot do through the online portal

Through the TWC portal, you can certify for benefits, view your payment history, check your remaining weeks of benefits, report a return to work, and update your contact information. You cannot appeal a decision or request a hearing through the portal — those require a phone call or a written request.

Through Your Texas Benefits, you can view your benefit amount, check payment dates, upload documents, report household changes, and view notices from the program. You can also request a replacement card if yours is lost or damaged. You cannot appeal a decision or request a fair hearing through the portal — those require contacting the program by phone or mail.

If you need to do something the portal does not offer, call the program directly. For unemployment, call the TWC at 1-800-939-6631. For SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or CHIP, call 2-1-1 Texas or your local benefits office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone or tablet?

Yes, both the TWC portal and Your Texas Benefits work on phones and tablets through a web browser. You do not need to read an app — just go to the website and log in the same way you would on a computer. The layout will adjust to fit your screen size.

What if I registered but never got a verification code?

Check your spam or junk folder first — the code email sometimes goes there. If you still do not see it, go back to the login page and click "Create Account" again, then request a new code. If you registered with a phone number instead of email, make sure you can receive text messages. If the problem continues, call the program directly for help.

Can someone else log into my account for me?

No, you should not share your password with anyone. If you need help managing your account, contact the program and ask about authorized representative options — some programs allow you to give another person legal permission to act on your behalf, but this requires a formal process, not just sharing a password.

Do I need to log in every month to keep my benefits?

For unemployment, you must certify regularly — usually weekly or biweekly — through the portal or by phone. For SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and CHIP, you do not need to log in every month, but you should check your account if the program sends you a notice asking for information or documents. Failing to respond to a notice can result in your benefits stopping.

What if I think someone else is using my account?

Change your password when ready using the "Forgot Password" link. Then contact the program by phone to report the issue. For unemployment, call the TWC at 1-800-939-6631. For other benefits, call 2-1-1 Texas. The program can review your account activity and help you find it.