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Texas Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply

Texas unemployment: can you get benefits if fired or you quit, weekly benefit amounts, how many weeks, work search rules, how to apply and appeal.

Quick answers for Texas

If you were fired
If you were fired for a reason other than misconduct, you may be eligible. If your employer demanded your resignation, that counts as being fired. TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Types of Job Separation"
Weekly benefit amount
Your weekly benefit amount is the wages in your highest-paid base-period quarter divided by 25, rounded to the nearest dollar. For claims starting on or after October 4, 2026, it ranges from $76 to $619 a week. TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Weekly Benefit Amount" and "Minimum and Maximum Weekly Benefit Amounts from 2010 to Present"
How many weeks
Your maximum benefit amount is the lesser of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 27% of your total base-period wages, so up to 26 weeks. Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from the Sunday of the week you applied. TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Maximum Benefit Amount"
How to apply
Apply online through TWC's Unemployment Benefit Services (UBS) or call a Tele-Center at 800-939-6631. Your former employer has up to 14 days to respond, and an eligibility decision can take up to four weeks. TWC, Apply for Unemployment Benefits; Request Benefit Payments

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Who qualifies

If you were firedIf you were fired for a reason other than misconduct, you may be eligible. If your employer demanded your resignation, that counts as being fired. Examples of misconduct that can disqualify you include violating company policy, breaking the law, neglecting or mismanaging your job, and failing to do your work adequately when you are able to.
Source: TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Types of Job Separation"
If you quitMost people who quit do not get benefits. Quitting for personal reasons, such as lack of transportation or to stay home with children, does not qualify. You may qualify if you quit for good cause connected with the work, such as well-documented unsafe conditions, significant changes to your hiring agreement, or not being paid what was agreed, and you should be able to show you tried to fix the problem first. A few non-work reasons also qualify: your own medical illness or injury, caring for a minor child with a medical illness or a terminally ill spouse, documented sexual assault, family violence or stalking, entering Commission-approved training, or moving with a military spouse. If you quit to follow a spouse in a non-military move, you may qualify but are disqualified for 6 to 25 weeks, and your maximum benefit is reduced by those weeks.
Source: TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Quit"
Layoffs and reduced hoursLayoffs for lack of work, such as when there is no more work, your position is eliminated or the business closes, may qualify you for benefits. You may also qualify if your employer cut your hours, as long as the cut was not disciplinary or at your request.
Source: TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Laid Off" and "Working Reduced Hours"
Earnings needed to qualifyThe base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim's effective date. You must have wages in more than one base-period quarter, and your total base-period wages must be at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount. If you qualified on a prior claim, you must have earned 6 times your new weekly benefit amount since then. An alternate base period is available if you missed at least seven weeks of work in a quarter because of a medically verifiable illness, injury, disability or pregnancy.
Source: TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Past Wages" and "Alternate Base Period"
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workersIf you are self-employed or do odd jobs while claiming, each week you request payment you must report the hours you worked and all income earned, including profits after expenses (or zero dollars if you worked but had no profit). This includes social media income and sales of products or services made with the intent to make a profit.
Source: Texas Workforce Commission, Report Your Work & Earnings

How much and how long

Weekly benefit amountYour weekly benefit amount is the wages in your highest-paid base-period quarter divided by 25, rounded to the nearest dollar. For claims starting on or after October 4, 2026, it ranges from $76 to $619 a week. For claims starting October 5, 2025 through October 3, 2026, the range was $75 to $605.
Maximum $619 per week, effective October 4, 2026.
Source: TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Weekly Benefit Amount" and "Minimum and Maximum Weekly Benefit Amounts from 2010 to Present"
How many weeksYour maximum benefit amount is the lesser of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 27% of your total base-period wages, so up to 26 weeks. Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from the Sunday of the week you applied.
Source: TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Maximum Benefit Amount"
Waiting weekYes. TWC does not pay the first week of your claim (the waiting week) until you return to full-time work or use up your benefits. If you go back to full-time work first, you must ask TWC for the waiting week payment through Unemployment Benefits Services or Tele-Serv (800-558-8321).
Source: TWC, Apply for Unemployment Benefits, "Request Your Waiting Week"
Working part-time on benefitsYou can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount before your benefit is reduced. Earnings above that reduce your payment dollar for dollar. To estimate a week's payment, multiply your weekly benefit by 1.25 and subtract your gross earnings. If you earn more than 125% of your weekly benefit, you get nothing that week.
Source: TWC, Report Your Work & Earnings
Severance and vacation payReport any severance pay and wages paid instead of notice. Under Texas law you cannot receive benefits while receiving certain types of severance pay or wages in lieu of notice of layoff, and TWC will mail you a decision. Pensions, retirement pay and annuities are deducted only if they are based on wages from a base-period employer. TWC converts the monthly amount to a weekly amount and subtracts it. Social Security retirement, railroad retirement, SSI and SSDI do not reduce benefits.
Source: TWC, How Money from Other Sources Can Affect Your Benefits

Applying and keeping benefits

How to applyApply online through TWC's Unemployment Benefit Services (UBS) or call a Tele-Center at 800-939-6631. Your former employer has up to 14 days to respond, and an eligibility decision can take up to four weeks. Request payments every two weeks online or through Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321, reporting work and earnings for the week you worked.
Source: TWC, Apply for Unemployment Benefits; Request Benefit Payments
Work search requirementsYou must register for work, search for work, keep a log of your work search activities, and apply for and accept suitable full-time work. Your local Workforce Development Board sets how many activities you need each week, so the number varies by county. TWC's county list currently ranges from 1 to 5, and large counties such as Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Travis require 5. Go by the number in the letter TWC mails you.
Source: TWC, Ongoing Eligibility Requirements; Required Number of Work Search Activities by County
Appealing a denialYou must appeal in writing within 14 calendar days from the date TWC mailed the Determination Notice. File online, in person at a Workforce Solutions office, or by mail or fax. The Appeal Tribunal holds the first hearing. You can then appeal to the Commission within 14 calendar days of the Appeal Tribunal decision, and ask for a rehearing within 14 days of the Commission decision.
Source: TWC, File an Unemployment Appeal
Logging in and filing weekly claimsTexas Workforce Commission Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) is the online system (available 24 hours a day) where you select "Request a Payment" every two weeks on your designated filing day (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, per your instructions); if you miss it, you can request on the open filing days, Thursday-Saturday of that week. Log in with the same User ID and password you use for WorkInTexas.com. Check "Claim and Payment Status" in UBS. By phone, use Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 (Option 1 to request payment, Option 2 for status) with your SSN and PIN. For late requests, call the TWC Tele-Center at 800-939-6631.
UBS login: https://apps.twc.texas.gov/UBS/security/logon.do
Source: Texas Workforce Commission, Request Benefit Payments

Where to get help in Texas

Unemployment Benefits FAQ

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Texas?
If you were fired for a reason other than misconduct, you may be eligible. If your employer demanded your resignation, that counts as being fired. Examples of misconduct that can disqualify you include violating company policy, breaking the law, neglecting or mismanaging your job, and failing to do your work adequately when you are able to.
Can you get unemployment if you quit in Texas?
Most people who quit do not get benefits. Quitting for personal reasons, such as lack of transportation or to stay home with children, does not qualify. You may qualify if you quit for good cause connected with the work, such as well-documented unsafe conditions, significant changes to your hiring agreement, or not being paid what was agreed, and you should be able to show you tried to fix the problem first. A few non-work reasons also qualify: your own medical illness or injury, caring for a minor child with a medical illness or a terminally ill spouse, documented sexual assault, family violence or stalking, entering Commission-approved training, or moving with a military spouse. If you quit to follow a spouse in a non-military move, you may qualify but are disqualified for 6 to 25 weeks, and your maximum benefit is reduced by those weeks.
Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Texas?
Layoffs for lack of work, such as when there is no more work, your position is eliminated or the business closes, may qualify you for benefits. You may also qualify if your employer cut your hours, as long as the cut was not disciplinary or at your request.
How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Texas?
The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim's effective date. You must have wages in more than one base-period quarter, and your total base-period wages must be at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount. If you qualified on a prior claim, you must have earned 6 times your new weekly benefit amount since then. An alternate base period is available if you missed at least seven weeks of work in a quarter because of a medically verifiable illness, injury, disability or pregnancy.
How much is unemployment in Texas?
Your weekly benefit amount is the wages in your highest-paid base-period quarter divided by 25, rounded to the nearest dollar. For claims starting on or after October 4, 2026, it ranges from $76 to $619 a week. For claims starting October 5, 2025 through October 3, 2026, the range was $75 to $605.
How long can you get unemployment in Texas?
Your maximum benefit amount is the lesser of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 27% of your total base-period wages, so up to 26 weeks. Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from the Sunday of the week you applied.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Texas?
Yes. TWC does not pay the first week of your claim (the waiting week) until you return to full-time work or use up your benefits. If you go back to full-time work first, you must ask TWC for the waiting week payment through Unemployment Benefits Services or Tele-Serv (800-558-8321).
What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Texas?
You must register for work, search for work, keep a log of your work search activities, and apply for and accept suitable full-time work. Your local Workforce Development Board sets how many activities you need each week, so the number varies by county. TWC's county list currently ranges from 1 to 5, and large counties such as Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Travis require 5. Go by the number in the letter TWC mails you.
Does severance pay affect unemployment in Texas?
Report any severance pay and wages paid instead of notice. Under Texas law you cannot receive benefits while receiving certain types of severance pay or wages in lieu of notice of layoff, and TWC will mail you a decision. Pensions, retirement pay and annuities are deducted only if they are based on wages from a base-period employer. TWC converts the monthly amount to a weekly amount and subtracts it. Social Security retirement, railroad retirement, SSI and SSDI do not reduce benefits.
How do I apply for unemployment in Texas?
Apply online through TWC's Unemployment Benefit Services (UBS) or call a Tele-Center at 800-939-6631. Your former employer has up to 14 days to respond, and an eligibility decision can take up to four weeks. Request payments every two weeks online or through Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321, reporting work and earnings for the week you worked.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Texas?
You must appeal in writing within 14 calendar days from the date TWC mailed the Determination Notice. File online, in person at a Workforce Solutions office, or by mail or fax. The Appeal Tribunal holds the first hearing. You can then appeal to the Commission within 14 calendar days of the Appeal Tribunal decision, and ask for a rehearing within 14 days of the Commission decision.
Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Texas?
You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount before your benefit is reduced. Earnings above that reduce your payment dollar for dollar. To estimate a week's payment, multiply your weekly benefit by 1.25 and subtract your gross earnings. If you earn more than 125% of your weekly benefit, you get nothing that week.
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Texas?
If you are self-employed or do odd jobs while claiming, each week you request payment you must report the hours you worked and all income earned, including profits after expenses (or zero dollars if you worked but had no profit). This includes social media income and sales of products or services made with the intent to make a profit.
Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Texas?
Texas Workforce Commission Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) is the online system (available 24 hours a day) where you select "Request a Payment" every two weeks on your designated filing day (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, per your instructions); if you miss it, you can request on the open filing days, Thursday-Saturday of that week. Log in with the same User ID and password you use for WorkInTexas.com. Check "Claim and Payment Status" in UBS. By phone, use Tele-Serv at 800-558-8321 (Option 1 to request payment, Option 2 for status) with your SSN and PIN. For late requests, call the TWC Tele-Center at 800-939-6631.

Unemployment Benefits in other states

More Texas law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.