Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Texas?
Eligibility for unemployment compensation in Texas is established by the Workforce Commission. Every unemployed individual who is without work through no fault of his or her own can initiate an application for unemployment insurance, provided that all other qualifications for unemployment benefits are also met, such as:
- The unemployment must be for objective business reasons such as a company, project or department shutdown or a lack of work.
- The unemployment must not be a result of quitting or firing.
- The unemployed individual must not be criminally charged for misdemeanors within the company or outside of it.
- The unemployed individual must have earned sufficient wages during the base period and under insured employment.
Unemployment insurance in Texas is funded by the Workforce Commission, using funds paid by employers’ taxes. No deductions are made from workers’ wages for this purpose. The amount of unemployment benefits that workers receive is lower than the wage earned in their base period. This is because unemployment benefits are not a replacement for a full salary, but rather a form of financial assistance during times of unemployment.
What are the requirements to get unemployment benefits in Texas?
Though you now know some of the requirements to get unemployment benefits in Texas, you cannot yet determine whether you are someone who qualifies for unemployment insurance. The TX Workforce Commission imposes a set of additional eligibility requirements that all applicants must meet in order to have full unemployment insurance eligibility. Thus, if you are an unemployed Texas resident, you must meet the following qualifications for unemployment compensation in order to continue to receive benefits:
- The total amount of your base period wages must be at least 37 times that of your weekly benefit amount.
- You must be actively searching for work, and if you are offered employment, you must not reject it without good reasons.
- You must be able to start work immediately and have adequate transportation to the workplace, as well as child care arrangements (if necessary).
- You must report your job search activities, results, offers and rejections to the TX Workforce Commission.
- You must participate in reemployment programs as ordered by the TWC.
- You must be mentally and physically able to work.
- You must not be criminally charged or incarcerated during your unemployment period.
- You must reapply for benefits for every week of unemployment.
- You must inform the TWC if you receive any types of financial assistance, such as Social Security Disability Insurance.
Failure to meet any of these required qualifications for unemployment insurance can make you ineligible and consequently lead to the termination of your benefits. On the other hand, you must also be aware that you cannot apply for unemployment compensation if you are still working, even if you are anticipating unemployment. Make sure to submit an application on the first day of your unemployment and to resubmit for every subsequent week that you are without work in order to ensure continued unemployment insurance eligibility.
