How to Get Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Texas

The recent recession has left many people unemployed. If you live in Texas, and you have become unemployed through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission. In fact, you may even be able to continue to work at a part time or temporary job and still continue to receive benefits.

Apply for Texas Unemployment Insurance Benefits

To apply for unemployment insurance benefits in Texas, you will need your Social Security number, your last employer's business name and address, your hire date for your latest job, your last date of employment, your pay rate and the number of hours you worked in the last week of your job. Refer to your most recent paycheck stubs to get this information. If you are not a US citizen or national, you will also need your Alien Registration Number. The most convienient way to apply for Texas unemployment insurance is online. You must set up an account on the Texas Workforce Commission website to complete the application. The application, as well as a benefits tutorial and poster, are available in both English and Spanish on the TWC website. You will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view the tutorial and poster. If you prefer, you can also apply for Texas unemployment insurance benefits by telephone at 1-800-939-6631.

Register for Work Search through the Texas Workforce Commission

You may be required register for work search through the TWC after applying for Texas unemployment insurance benefits. The simplest way to do this is to create an account on WorkInTexas.com. If you prefer, you can also apply in person at a Texas Workforce Commission center near you. WorkInTexas.com continually matches job opportunities with job seekers with the right qualifications. The site will alert you when there is a job available that might be right for you. You can also actively search the job listings on WorkInTexas.com or at your local TWC center.

Look for Work and Keep Records of Your Job Search

You must look for a job to receive Texas unemployment insurance benefits. You can look for work online on sites such as Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com. Your local newspaper may also have potential job opportunities listed. Also check with former co-workers, friends and family members for possible job opportunities. Keep a complete record of each job you apply for. The Texas Workforce Commission will send you a mailer with a handy work search log that you can use to track your job applications. You can also download the work search log online. Record the name of the company, their address, telephone number, the position applied for, the person contacted, the application method, the date you applied and the results of your application. If you fill out the work search log on your computer, you must print it to save a copy for your records.

Request Unemployment Benefits Payments from the Texas Workforce Commission

You must request payment every two weeks to receive your Texas unemployment insurance benefits. If you worked within the previous two weeks, you must report the hours you worked and the amount you were paid. Report your hours and payment when you earned them, not when you were paid. Also, if you are self-employed, you must report your profits from business every two weeks. If you work part time, you may still be able to receive an unemployment payment up to 125% of your benefit amount. However, if you work full time for your profession, you will not receive unemployment benefits for that period, even if you earn less than 125% of your benefit payment.

Receiving and Spending Your Texas Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Today, the Texas Workforce Commission uses a debit card rather than checks to pay unemployment insurance benefits. You must activate the debit card before you can use it. You can spend the money directly from the debit card or deposit the money into your checking account. To avoid being charged a service fee, you must withdraw the benefit payments at a Chase ATM or a Chase or Visa member bank. You can check the card balance on the MyAccount.Chase.com website. The bank teller cannot check your card balance, so be sure to check the balance before you go to the bank to make a deposit. You can also sign up for direct deposit to your checking or savings account when you sign up for benefits.

Sources:

TWC: "Unemployment Benefits Services"

TWC: "Benefits Tutorial"

TWC: "Frequently Asked Questions"