COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits

While you may still collect unemployment benefits if you refuse to work in an unsafe environment, the TWC no longer explicitly includes risk of COVID-19 as an unsafe working condition for unemployment benefits.

Yes. If you are placed on reduced hours, you may be eligible for partial unemployment. You can check you eligibility by by calling TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.

Apply for benefits online at any time using Unemployment Benefits Services or by calling TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.

Texas AFL CIO has also created a "how to" guide for navigating unemployment benefit applications. View it here.

Lone Star Legal Aid also has a tool to walk you through the unemployment benefits process. Access it here.

To get started you will need:

• Social Security Number
• Last employer's business name, address and phone number
• First and last dates you worked for your last employer
• Number of hours worked and pay rate at the time you apply 
• Military employment (service) start/end dates and a copy of your DD Form 214(s) if you served in the military during the past 18 months
• Your alien registration number, if not a U.S. citizen or national

The amount you get in unemployment benefits varies. You can estimate your unemployment benefits online.

If you are receiving income from a pension, annuity, or retirement income, this may affect how much you receive in unemployment benefits.

You can search for jobs at WorkInTexas.com. Visit the Texas Workforce Commission web site for the latest.

Yes, there is a work search requirement. Those job searches can be done online.

The number of job searches you must perform every week varies by county. This number is based on local economic conditions. You will receive a Notice of Work Search Requirement that tells you how many jobs you must apply to each week. You must make a record of your work search efforts by recording the date and details of the work search (type of job, employer name, location, etc.).  Use the TWC work search activity log recipients to keep track of your searches. TWC can request this activity log anytime during your benefit year, so keep a copy for your records.