Since the pandemic breakout a year ago, over 7.5 million people in Texas have applied for unemployment benefits. In contrast, many people have had difficulty claiming theirs until now.
Seeking unemployment benefits in Texas could get hectic, but this article lets you in on some of the most frequently asked questions on how to file for Unemployment in Texas.
Table of contents
- What is Unemployment in Texas?
- How do I know if I Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in TX?
- How does Texas Unemployment Work?
- What are the Eligibility Requirements for Texas Unemployment?
- What Documents do I need to Submit to Facilitate my Application?
- How much does Unemployment Benefit in TX Pay?
- How do I File an Unemployment?
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What is Unemployment in Texas?
Texas unemployment benefits are a state-funded program that offers temporary financial help to people who have lost their jobs because of no fault of their own and meet Texas’ eligibility conditions.
If you meet the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act’s eligibility conditions, you may be eligible for unemployment compensation (TUCA).
You are legally accountable for adhering to the state’s standards if you get benefits.
How do I know if I Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in TX?
If you quit your job, you won’t be eligible for unemployment benefits unless you have a valid cause, such as a medical issue or a work-related reason.
To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Texas, you must not be out of a job because of any fault of your own.
You will meet this condition if they lay you off and you lose your job in a reduction-in-force (RIF) for economic reasons.
You may not be eligible for unemployment benefits in Texas if you lose your job for misconduct.
Violating corporate policy, breaking the law, or failing to execute your job when capable are all examples of work-related misbehavior.
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How does Texas Unemployment Work?
To evaluate your eligibility for unemployment benefits, nearly all states look at your recent work history and wages during a one-year “base period.”
Like in other states, the base period in Texas is the first four of the five complete calendar quarters before you file your benefits claim.
Suppose you’ve been out of work for a long time because of a disability, pregnancy, illness, or injury. Your earnings during the standard base period may be low or insufficient to qualify for benefits.
Here, you may have to choose a different base period that considers your earnings history before your inability to work.
Your job history and earnings must meet both standards throughout the base period:
At least two of the four calendar quarters that comprise the base period must have yielded earnings.
During the entire base period, your earnings must equal at least 37 times your weekly benefit amount.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Texas Unemployment?
In Texas, there are three prerequisites for receiving unemployment benefits:
- It must meet minimum earnings requirements in the past.
- According to Texas law, you must be unemployed for no fault.
- You must be available to work at all times.
What Documents do I need to Submit to Facilitate my Application?
You will need the following:
- Last employer’s business name and address
- First and last dates (month, day, and year) you worked for your last employer
- Number of hours worked and paid rate if you worked this week (including Sunday)
- Information related to your normal wage
- Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen or national)
- A valid Texas Driver’s License number or Texas Identification Card number
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How much does Unemployment Benefit in TX Pay?
The Texas Workforce Commission calculates your weekly unemployment benefit by multiplying your wages for the highest-paid quarter of the base period by 25, up to a maximum of $535 weekly.
You may be eligible for additional compensation under state or federal law if you exhaust the 26 weeks of benefits available and are still jobless when it expires.
How do I File an Unemployment?
You can either file your claim online or over the phone. After reviewing your application, the Workforce Commission in TX will send you a determination notice.
If they approve your claim, you must submit a payment request every two weeks and continue to meet eligibility standards while being on the lookout for job openings.
Conclusion
Unemployment benefits aid workers to cover their living expenses until they can find alternative employment.
These perks, however, are not available to all employees.
References
- nolo.com – Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Texas
- twc.texas.gov – Unemployment Benefits Contact Information for Claimants
- texastribune.org – Texas’ unemployment system
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