Unemployment Benefits in Texas
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Texas requires at least $1,560 in covered wages during the base period and work in at least two calendar quarters.
How Texas treats Unemployment Benefits
Texas imposes both a wage requirement ($1,560 minimum) and a work-spread requirement, meaning claimants must have worked in at least two different calendar quarters of the base period. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. The maximum weekly benefit amount in Texas is among the lowest in the nation, generally capped around $320 to $370. Eligible workers receive benefits for up to 26 weeks.
The general definition of Unemployment Benefits
Temporary income payments to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Unemployment benefits are payments provided by the government to workers who have lost their jobs involuntarily and meet certain eligibility requirements. These benefits are funded by taxes that employers pay into a state unemployment insurance fund. To qualify, a worker typically must have been employed for a minimum period, have lost the job without quitting, and not have been fired for misconduct. Benefits are usually a percentage of the worker's prior wages and last for a limited time, often 26 weeks. Workers must actively search for new employment to continue receiving benefits.
Read the full Unemployment Benefits entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Texas.