Unemployment Benefits is an employer-paid program that provides temporary financial help to qualified workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
On this page:
Customers
The Unemployment Benefits program serves those who are unemployed or partially unemployed (working part-time) and who qualify. Applicants must meet requirements concerning their past wages and job separation, register for work search on TWC's online job resource, WorkInTexas.com, be able and available for work, and actively look for work. Unemployment Benefits 
has more information for Job Seekers & Employees.
Employers receive written or electronic notice of claims filed if they were the individual's last employer or the claim is based on wages they paid the individual. TWC will request job separation and past wage information related to individuals' unemployment claims. See Unemployment Claim Management and Unemployment Tax for more information for Businesses & Employers.
Reports
Most federal reporting requirements are detailed in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration Employment and Training Handbook 401.
DOL reports with claim and benefit information by state:
TWC reports:
Authority & Funding
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers the Unemployment Benefits program in Texas. Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a partnership between the federal and state governments. The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the UI program. At the state level, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and the House Economic and Small Business Development Committee oversee the UI program.
Employer-paid state unemployment taxes and reimbursements pay for state unemployment benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor allocates funds from the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) to the states to pay for administrative and operational costs.
The Texas Unemployment Compensation Act (TUCA) and other state and federal laws and regulations govern the Unemployment Benefits program. Additional laws, regulations, and guidance include:
- Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)
- Social Security Act Title III - Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration
- Social Security Act Title IX - Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Employment Security
- Social Security Act Title XII - Advances to State Unemployment Funds
- Unemployment Insurance Rules - Texas Administrative Code
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: Part 604 - Regulations for Eligibility for Unemployment Compensation
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: Part 640 - Standard for Benefit Payment Promptness - Unemployment Compensation
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: Part 650 - Standard for Appeals Promptness - Unemployment Compensation
- TWC Appeals Policy and Precedent Manual
- TWC Rules by Chapter
Tips & Guides
Job hunting assistance for job seekers and a handbook and newsletter covering issues and interests of Texas employers.
For Job Seekers
For Employers
Other Resources
Additional unemployment benefits resources and related TWC programs.
Unemployment Resources
- Unemployment Benefits at a Glance
- Latest Unemployment News
- Unemployment Benefits Handbook
Related TWC Programs
Service
Unemployment benefits contact information provides links to online services and contact information for customer service.
Individuals should apply for benefits as soon as they become unemployed. To learn about applying for benefits, use TWC's apply for benefits tutorial.
Report Fraud
- Report suspected fraud, waste or program abuse
800-252-3642
