Texas Unemployment Insurance Benefits & Claims
Individuals who have worked in Texas could be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits after being separated from their jobs. Texas' unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary income to unemployed workers. To be eligible for the payments, former employees must meet specific requirements.
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Eligibility
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If a worker loses a job because of their own fault, then unemployment insurance benefits will not be paid. Benefits are paid to those who have earned enough wages during a 12-month base period before losing their job. Texas requires that wages be earned in at least six of the 12 months. The amount of the total wages that were earned during the 12-month period must equal at least 37 multiplied by the total wages earned. Those who have applied and received benefits from a previous claim must have earnings that equal the amount of their weekly benefits multiplied by six.
Applying for a benefits claim
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In Texas, unemployment benefits claims can be filed in person, over the phone, or over the Internet. When an individual applies for unemployment benefits in Texas, it is important that all employment and personal records be on hand, such as previous paycheck stubs, the address of the former employer, separation letter and other documents. A claim should be filed immediately after an individual is no longer working because Texas does not retroactively pay unemployment benefits.
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Duration and method of payments
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Texas unemployment benefits insurance payments are paid to those who qualify for a maximum of 26 weeks. After claimants have exhausted all of the funds allocated to them in the 26-week period, they are no longer eligible to receive payments. However, they can apply for special circumstances extensions and receive federal unemployment benefits. Texas makes payments to claimants on a Visa debit card. Claimants must set up the debit card account when initially applying for benefits.
Responsibilities of claimants
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Those who are receiving Texas unemployment benefits are required to actively seek employment and keep a log of their job search. Recipients are encouraged to accept any job that becomes available, even if it's a position with a lower rank and salary. In addition to looking for work, Texas unemployment benefits recipients must file a weekly claim over the Internet or telephone with the Texas Workforce Commission.
Appealing a denial of benefits
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If a claimant has been denied unemployment benefits in Texas, an appeal can be filed within 14 days of the Texas Workforce Commission's "Determination on Payment" letter. The appeal must be formally written, signed and mailed to the Texas Workforce Commission. The letter must include the denied claimant's name, social security number, current address, date of Determination on Payment letter and, if possible, a copy of the letter. The commission will schedule a hearing that will include a telephone conference among the claimant, representative from the claimant's former employer and a mediator from the commission. The appeal process has three levels, each level only necessary if the claimant disagrees with the decision that was made at the previous lower level. The three levels of appealing a Texas unemployment benefits denial are: an appeal to the appeal tribunal, an appeal to the commission and a request for a rehearing or an appeal to a civil court.
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