File for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Texas

If you are one of the 75,800 people that have lost their job this year in Texas in non-agricultural jobs or you continue to be unemployed, filing unemployment in Texas is important to do. Not only for the benefits you will receive, but it also gives the state and federal governments an accurate direction the unemployment rate is going.

Will I Qualify for Unemployment Benefits?

To qualify for unemployment in Texas you must meet three requirements. You must be able, available, and looking for work. You must have been "separated" from your job in a specific manner, and you must have earned enough money in the Texas Workforce Commission's (TWC) quarterly calendar.

The TWC uses some pretty complicated calculation to determine if you have earned enough money in their calendar. 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.

To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must also have been "separated" from your job in one of the following ways:

-Due to lack of work
-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 or medical reason

There are other job separation issues that deal with working for temporary agencies and staffing agencies. Essentially, you must immediately contact the agency for work and cannot apply for unemployment benefits until three days have passed.

If you have to quit your job to move with your spouse, or your spouse is in the military and transferred, you can still collect benefits, although they may be reduced.

You must be available and able for work and you must conduct job searches each week to qualify for unemployment benefits. There are cases where TWC exempts you from these requirements.

The best way to determine whether you are qualified for benefits is to apply.

I Have Lost My Job. Now What Do I Do?

Loosing your job, especially if you have been with a particular company for a long time can really be a real kick in the gut. After the initial shock, try to look at your unemployment in a positive light. Is there a new direction you would you're your career to go? Keep in mind that if you choose to go back to school or do other job training, you will not qualify for unemployment. Now obviously, the first thing you want to do is find your next job. It is understandable that it may take weeks to find the right employment. It is also important that you apply for your unemployment benefits as soon as possible. Here are the first steps you should take.

-Go to www.texasworkforce.org. Register here and request unemployment benefits. You will need your job history information, including salary information. You will need your social security number. After registering, click on "request payment" to begin the process of obtaining your first unemployment benefits.

-Register with www.WorkInTexas.com. You must do this within three days after requesting your first unemployment benefit payment. If you fail to do this step, you will not qualify for benefits.

There are several items to remember when you are requesting and receiving unemployment benefits in the state of Texas. After you register and request your benefits, or to continue to receive unemployment benefits, there are several actions that you must continue to do.

-Respond to any notices that TWC sends you. Whether it is via email or regular mail, if TWC sends you a "job-matching notice", you need to respond via the www.WorkInTexas.com website or go to one of the 275 Workforce Centers to follow up on the job notice.

-You need to keep good records while unemployed regarding your job search. Have a log book and track any job seeking activity that you do. You are required to keep this record. Job seeking activities may include job interviews, sending out resumes, follow-up phone calls, etc. TWC may ask you to show them your log and they may audit your job seeking performance. You can use a notebook, computer spreadsheet, or the form on the TWC website.

-You must always be able and available for work. While you are collecting unemployment benefits this includes being available for job interviews, being able to work odd hours and having daycare already arranged. You must also be willing to accept a job at a lower rate than your last job if your job hunt has been unsuccessful after eight weeks.

-Remember to request your payment. Every two weeks you are required to log on to www.texasworkforce.org and request payment.

It can take up to five weeks to receive your first payment. Keep in mind that your first payment request is for your first two weeks of unemployment, but your first week is a "waiting period". So, your first benefit payment will only be for one week (the second week). You should receive your wait period benefit after you have been paid three times your weekly benefit.

You will receive your benefits on a TWC Unemployment Insurance Visa ® debit card that will be mailed to you the same day you are paid your first payment. You will see that your payment was approved online before you receive your card. You will have to call the customer service number with the card to activate it and initialize your PIN.

If you do not have computer access to register or request your weekly payment, you can use the Tele-Serv automated phone service. There are several numbers, depending on your location. They are published on the TWC website and in the Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Work Search Information Guide. The general number is 1-800-558-8321.

Remember that it is your responsibility to look for and find your next job. Unemployment may be difficult to accept in the beginning and being proactive regarding your job hunt will be beneficial not only to your goal of being employed but also to your peace of mind and attitude. TWC has a short guide, Looking for Work in All The Right Places, on their website to help you get started.

Unemployment is nothing to be ashamed of. At the writing of this article, the U.S. unemployment rate is 7.2 percent and the Texas unemployment rate is 6.4 percent. Tens of thousands of people are unemployed and actively seeking a new job. Don't let your pride be deflated. Step up, because the competition is out there doing the same thing you are. Use TWC's resources as well as other resources and you are well on your way to your new career. In the mean time, use your unemployment insurance benefits (wisely) to get you through these tough economic times.