How to File for Unemployment in Texas

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To qualify for unemployment in the state of Texas, you need to meet three requirements. You must be able, available and looking for employment. You must have lost your job in a specific manner, and you must have earned a enough money in the recent past.

Things You'll Need

• Employment and Employer Information
• Your Social Security Number

Instructions

1. Qualification: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has a fairly complicated formula to determine whether you qualify for unemployment benefits. Essentially if you have worked for the past eight months, you probably qualify. The formula can be found in the Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Work Search Information Handbook. Your "base period" (the calendar TWC uses) is also explained well in this handbook.

   You must have also been "separated" from your last employer for one of the following reasons. There are other acceptable reasons; these four reasons are the most common.

   -Due to lack of work (layoff).
   -Your employer reduced your hours for reasons other than misconduct.
   -Your employer fired you for reasons other than misconduct.
   -You had to quit for a work-related medical reason.

   Lastly, you must remain willing, available and able to work. TWC will inform you of how many job search activities you must complete each week to remain qualified. There are cases where TWC will exempt you from having to search for work.

2. Click on the Texas Work Force link in the References section. Register here and request unemployment benefits. You will need your job history, including salary information. You will need your social security number as well. After registering, click on the "request payment" link on the menu to begin the process of obtaining your first unemployment benefit payment.

3. Click on the WorkInTexas.com link in the References section and register to look for work. This is a requirement. You must register with this website within three days of requesting your first benefit payment. If you do not, you will not receive any unemployment benefits.

4. Respond to any correspondence TWC sends you, whether regular mail or email. If you are notified of a "Job Match Notice" based on your Work In Texas profile, you must respond via the WorkInTexas.com website or by visiting one of the 275 Workforce Centers throughout the state.

5. Keep good records. You are required to keep a "Job Search Log" that tracks any job seeking activity you do. TWC can request this log at anytime. You can simply use a notebook or computer spreadsheet. TWC also has a Work Search Log available for download.

6. Remember to request your payment every two weeks on the TWC website. You will receive your benefits on a TWC Visa debit card that will be mailed to you the same day you are paid your first payment.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead! It can take up to five weeks to receive your first payment.

• If you do not have internet access, you can use the Tele-Serve automated phone service. Find your local Tele-Serve by calling 1-800-558-8321

References

• Texas Work Force
• WorkInTexas.com
• Texas: Work Search Log
• Texas: Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Work Search Information Handbook