File through the Texas Workforce Commission website or by phone

To collect unemployment in Texas, you file a claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the state agency that handles jobless benefits. You can file online at www.twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-888-452-4778, or in person at a TWC office. Most people file online because it is faster — the form takes about 15 minutes 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 or had your hours cut, have that information ready too. TWC uses what you report to contact your employer and verify the reason you are no longer working.

After you file, TWC sends you a notice by mail with your claim number and instructions for filing weekly claims. You must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment — straightforward not filing that week means you do not get paid that week, even if you are still out of work.

Key Takeaways

  • File your initial claim at www.twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-888-452-4778, or at a local TWC office, and you will need your Social Security number and your last employer's contact information.
  • You must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive payment, and filing takes about five minutes once you have your claim number.
  • TWC contacts your employer to verify you were laid off or had hours reduced; if your employer disputes the reason, you may have to attend a phone hearing.
  • Payments are deposited to a debit card or bank account you choose, and the amount depends on your earnings in the past 12 months.
  • Benefits in Texas last up to 26 weeks in most cases, though the length can change based on the state's unemployment rate.

What TWC needs to verify before your first payment

After you file your initial claim, TWC has up to two weeks to process it and send you a information letter. This letter tells you whether your claim was approved or denied. The agency contacts your employer to ask why you left work — whether you were fired, laid off, had hours cut, or quit. Your employer's answer matters because you can only collect benefits if you lost work through no fault of your own.

If your employer says you quit or were fired for misconduct, TWC may deny your claim. If that happens, you have the right to a hearing where you and your employer can each explain what happened. The hearing is usually by phone and takes 20 to 30 minutes. You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring one if you want.

Once your claim is approved, TWC mails you a debit card or tells you how to set up direct deposit to your bank account. Payments are usually deposited within two business days of when you file your weekly claim.

Filing your weekly claim and what to report

Every week you want to receive a payment, you must file a weekly claim. You can do this online at www.twc.texas.gov, by phone at 1-888-452-4778, or through the TWC mobile app. The weekly claim asks whether you worked that week, earned any money, and whether you are still looking for work. If you worked part-time or did gig work, you report your gross earnings before taxes.

You must file your weekly claim by the important date shown on your claim notice — usually by a specific day of the week. If you miss the important date, you do not get paid for that week. If you know you will be away or unable to file, you can file early for the week ahead.

If you earned money during the week, TWC reduces your benefit payment dollar-for-dollar for the first $5 you earn, then by 25 cents for every dollar you earn above that. So if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earned $100, you would receive $375 that week. This rule encourages people to take part-time work while looking for full-time jobs.

How much you receive and how long benefits last

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in the past 12 months. TWC divides your highest quarter's earnings by 25 to calculate your weekly amount. The maximum weekly benefit in Texas is set by state law and changes each year — it was $901 in 2024, but check www.twc.texas.gov for the current year's maximum.

Benefits last up to 26 weeks in most cases. However, when the state's unemployment rate is high, the federal government may extend benefits for an additional 13 weeks. You do not have to do anything to receive the extension — TWC automatically adds it to your claim if you are still unemployed when the 26 weeks end and the extension is in effect.

Once your benefits end, you cannot file a new claim for at least one week. After that week passes, you can file a new claim if you are still unemployed, but only if you have worked and earned wages since your last claim ended.

What disqualifies you or reduces your benefits

You cannot collect benefits if you quit your job without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or refused work without a good reason. Good cause means something your employer did that made the job impossible — such as a sudden cut in pay, a dangerous condition, or harassment. Quitting because you did not like the job or wanted to move is not good cause.

If you are receiving benefits and turn down a job offer, TWC may reduce or stop your payments. You must be actively looking for work — this means explore for jobs, attending interviews, and being available to start work on short notice. If you are in school full-time, you may not be able to collect benefits because you are not available to work.

If you receive an overpayment — money you were not supposed to get — TWC will ask you to repay it. This can happen if you did not report earnings correctly or if your claim was approved by mistake. You can ask for a hearing to dispute an overpayment, but you will likely still owe the money.

After your benefits end: what happens next

When your 26 weeks of benefits end, your claim closes. If you are still unemployed and have worked since your last claim started, you can file a new initial claim. You will need the same information as before: your Social Security number, ID, and your current or most recent employer's details.

If you have not worked since your last claim ended, you cannot file a new claim until you return to work and earn wages. This rule prevents people from collecting benefits indefinitely without working.

While you are collecting benefits or after they end, you can use TWC's job search tools at www.twc.texas.gov to find openings, post a resume, and get information about training programs. Some training programs may allow you to collect benefits while you study if your course is related to jobs in demand in Texas.

Common reasons claims are denied or delayed

Claims are often delayed because TWC cannot reach your employer to verify the reason you left work. If your employer does not respond within two weeks, TWC may approve your claim anyway. However, if your employer later responds and disputes your account, TWC can reopen your claim and hold a hearing.

Claims are denied most often when the employer says you quit or were fired for misconduct and TWC believes the employer. If this happens to you, request a hearing when ready — you have 15 days from the date on the denial letter. At the hearing, explain your side of what happened. If you have evidence — such as emails, text messages, or witness names — bring it with you or mention it during the hearing.

Some claims are delayed because of identity verification. TWC may ask you to verify your identity through an online portal or by mail. Respond as quickly as you can because your benefits do not start until verification is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment after I file?

If your claim is approved, your first payment usually arrives within two to three weeks of filing. This includes time for TWC to process your claim, contact your employer, and set up your debit card or direct deposit. If there is a dispute with your employer, it may take longer.

Can I collect unemployment if I was fired?

It depends on why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct — such as theft, violence, or repeated rule-breaking after being warned — you cannot collect. If you were fired for poor performance, inability to do the job, or reasons unrelated to your conduct, you may be able to collect. Your employer's reason matters, so request a hearing if your claim is denied.

What if I move out of Texas while collecting benefits?

You can continue to collect Texas benefits if you move to another state, but you must file your weekly claims on time and report any work you do. If you move and find a job in another state, that state may require you to file there instead. Contact TWC before you move to ask about your specific situation.

Do I have to report job search activities to TWC?

You must be actively looking for work to collect benefits, but you do not have to report specific job applications to TWC each week. However, if TWC asks you to document your job search, you should keep records of where you applied, when, and the job title. Some people take a screenshot of their process or write down the company name and date.

What happens if I earn money while collecting unemployment?

You can earn up to $5 per week without any reduction in benefits. Above $5, your benefit is reduced by 25 cents for every dollar you earn. So part-time work is allowed and encouraged — it does not eliminate your benefits, just reduces them based on what you earn.