How long does unemployment last in Texas?

TWC calls that total your maximum benefit amount (MBA). It is the most you can receive during your benefit year, which lasts 52 weeks.

The most your claim can pay

Because your MBA is never more than 26 times your weekly benefit amount, regular benefits cover at most 26 weeks of full weekly payments. At the $605 maximum weekly benefit amount, the largest possible MBA is $15,730.

Take the example from how much unemployment pays in Texas: a $400 weekly benefit amount and $30,000 in base period wages.

An $8,100 MBA covers 20 full weekly payments of $400, which total $8,000, with $100 left over.

Quitting to move with your spouse can also leave you less to collect. If the move is not part of a qualifying military permanent change of station, you may be eligible but are disqualified for 6 to 25 weeks, and your weekly benefit amount for each of those weeks comes off the benefits you have remaining.

TWC says working part time while you claim may make your benefits last longer. The amounts guide shows how part-time earnings change a weekly payment.

When your benefit year starts and ends

Your benefit year begins on the Sunday of the week you applied and remains in effect for 52 weeks. Those dates stay in effect even if TWC disqualifies you or you receive all of your benefits.

Whether extended benefits are available

Extended benefits are only available during periods of high state or national unemployment. When this guide was checked, TWC said the Texas unemployment rate did not meet the requirements for paying them, and it had last paid them for the week ending September 11, 2021. TWC gives that status on its extended benefits information page for employers.

When TWC does pay extended benefits, its rules include these:

• You must use up all of your regular benefits first.
• Your weekly benefit amount is the same as on your regular claim.
• The most you can receive is 50 percent of your regular claim's MBA, or up to 13 weeks.
• Your regular claim's base period wages must be at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount, or at least 1.5 times your highest quarter's earnings.

The full requirements are on TWC's extended benefits page.

When your benefits run out

If you receive all of your benefits before your benefit year ends, you may not receive additional benefits until your next benefit year begins. The rules for qualifying again, including the wages you need after a prior claim, are in who qualifies for unemployment in Texas.

If TWC identifies you as likely to run out of benefits, it will require you to take part in reemployment services. Staff from your local Workforce Solutions office will contact you if you need to take part.

TWC holds the payment for your waiting week, the first payable week of your claim. Running out of benefits is one of the conditions Texas law sets for releasing it, and the Texas payment requests guide explains the full rule.

Local Workforce Solutions offices offer free job search services, and Texas unemployment offices lists where they are. For finding your next job, see job search help in Texas.